Kannappa Review: A Flawed Climb to a Soul-Stirring Peak

In Kannappa, Vishnu Manchu attempts a bold leap, bringing to life the legend of a devout hunter turned saint, with scale, star power, and sincerity. While the film takes its time to find rhythm, its eventual emotional highs are worth the wait.

The first hour struggles under the weight of its ambition. Over-reliant on exposition and undercooked drama, it feels like a checklist of backstory and setup. Characters appear, vanish, and reappear without impact. VFX-heavy scenes feel rushed, often reminiscent of Adipurush‘s missteps.

But then comes the turning point, when the myth and man merge. From the moment Kannappa’s spiritual arc begins, the narrative finds its soul. Vishnu’s transformation is striking, not just visually but emotionally. The film stops “telling” and starts feeling. Devotion takes over, and with it, the storytelling matures.

Cameos by Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal don’t feel like gimmicks. In fact, Prabhas’s appearance as Rudra is electric and elevates the third act. The visual symbolism here, tears, sacrifice, and surrender, is where the film peaks.

While the climax hits emotionally and Vishnu Manchu delivers his career-best performance, supported by a powerful cameo from Prabhas and a rousing background score, the film is let down by a sluggish first half, distracting VFX, and underdeveloped supporting characters that dilute its early momentum.

Kannappa is not flawless, but it is earnest. It begins as an ambitious experiment and ends as a heartfelt mythological tribute. For those who endure the wobbly start, the film offers a deeply spiritual and cinematic payoff.