Kannappa Movie Review: Vishnu Manchu, Prabhas Cameo

Many were looking forward to Kannappa, one of the most anticipated Telugu mythological films of 2025, which saw the release in theatres on 10th March, 2023. The movie has a large, star-studded cast with a heavy notion of devotion wrapped around the narrative, which trails the legend of Kannappa, a tribal devotee of Lord Shiva who ultimately earns the blessing of him. Aside from the breathtaking visual production, storytelling, and a few special appearances from the likes of Prabhas and Akshay Kumar, it has created steeply divided opinions among critics and the general audience.

Storyline

Kannappa is based on the story of a tribal hunter named Thinnadu hailing from a community known as Chenchus in the state of Andhra Pradesh.He starts as a sceptic, but develops a true devotee’s sincerity toward Lord Shiva. This naturally culminates into a very powerful climax when he completely surrenders to the god himself, by givng away his eyes.

Despite a dull and filler-like first half, #Kannappa redeems itself with a soulful second half. #Prabhas as Rudra adds divine energy & #ManchuVishnu shines in the climax👌 pic.twitter.com/3FYunWRRM9
— Filmyscoops (@Filmyscoopss) June 27, 2025

KEY HIGHLIGHTS and REVIEWS: The film has received a lot of positivity over its second half. People are reporting on social media that the film becomes a better experience after Prabhas is on screen. The climax is said to be emotional and impactful, with a lot of people commenting that they teared up. There was also a lot of positivity for Vishnu Manchu, with people saying that it is one of the best performances, especially in the last parts of the film.
Special Appearances: Without regard to the climax with Prabhas on the screen for about 17 minutes, he certainly has made an impression. Akshay Kumar plays Lord Shiva, demonstrating a calm intensity. The standout performances are by Mohanlal and Mohan Babu in their roles.
Audience Feedback: Many viewers rated the film at about 3.5 out of 5. The film starts slowly, but viewers agree it gains strong momentum in the second half. Social media reactions of the film highlight the stunning visuals and emotional storytelling in the second half.

Certification and Warning: It has received a U/A certificate. The film was cut by an estimated 12 minutes for violence and strong language. The production team included a disclaimer stating the story is mythological and a warning against fake or malicious reviews.