Kannappa is an epic Telugu drama–fantasy–history film released on 27 June 2025. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, it features a star-studded cast including Nayanthara, Prabhas, Kangana Ranaut, Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, Madhoo, Vishnu Manchu, and Mohan Babu. Written by Vishnu Manchu, the movie stretches over 3 hours and 3 minutes, making it a grand and immersive cinematic experience. Cinematographer Sheldon Chau brings sweeping visuals to life, while the music team of Stephen Devassy and Mani Sharma fills the film with evocative scores. Produced by Mohan Babu under AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory, Kannappa also reached Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada audiences through dubbed versions.
Before its release, the trailer dazzled viewers with large battle scenes, beautiful temples, and mythical elements. Audiences were excited to see Prabhas and Nayanthara together in a mythological story. After release, some people praised its grand scale and emotional moments, while others noted the long runtime felt tiring. Still, fans of epic storytelling and mythology were impressed. If you love historic dramas with a touch of magic and strong characters, Kannappa offers plenty to enjoy.
Review
Kannappa weaves a story of love, devotion, myth, and destiny. It combines real-life history with fantasy elements, taking you into a world of gods, heroes, and huge moral choices. The film is epic in its look and scale, with deep emotional undercurrents.
The central theme is devotion—how far someone will go to serve their god. This emotional thread adds heart to a tale that also uses fantasy and history for grandeur.
Story
The film tells the legend of Kannappa, a simple hunter who becomes a revered devotee of Lord Shiva. Prabhas plays the hunter—brave, raw, and full of pure devotion. He meets Nayanthara, a temple priestess bound by faith and duty, and their bond forms the emotional soul of the narrative.
When an ancient threat endangers the temple and its people, Kannappa’s love and devotion grow even stronger. He faces gods and warriors, battles evil forces, and proves that devotion is greater than destiny. With elements of prayer, swordplay, temples, and miracles, the story mixes history, spirituality, and fantasy.
It resembles some epic-scale tales from Indian cinema, though it remains unique in the way it balances devotion with dramatic scenes. In its depth of devotion and tone, it reminds us of grand dramedies like Romeo S3, though on a much larger mythic scale.
Acting
- Prabhas is powerful as Kannappa. He blends physical strength with emotional purity. His devotion scenes are soulful, and his expressions speak more than words.
- Nayanthara is graceful and calm as a priestess who finds love and faith together. Her screen presence brings serenity and inner strength.
- Kangana Ranaut steps in as a fierce warrior queen. She adds fire and charisma, matching the grandeur on screen.
- Mohanlal and Shivarajkumar are solid in their roles—wise elders and warriors who guide Kannappa on his spiritual journey.
- Vishnu Manchu, Madhoo, and Mohan Babu bring emotion and depth to the supporting roles. Together, they make the world of Kannappa feel lived-in and real.
All actors commit fully to their roles, matching the scale and emotional weight of the story.
Direction
Director Mukesh Kumar Singh handles the epic scale well. He fills the screen with majestic temples, grand war sequences, and spiritual rituals. The tone shifts comfortably between solemn worship, tender romance, and epic battle. His control of the tone keeps the story engaging, even though it runs for over three hours.
Like in grand movies that combine drama and emotion, Kannappa relies on visual spectacle and strong dramatic beats. Some critics say it reminds them of heavy‑budget mythological films, but with more emotional grounding.
Critical Response
Critics are mixed but appreciative of the ambition. Many praise the visuals, acting, and devotion theme. Some note that the nearly three‑hour runtime could have been trimmed, and that certain fantasy scenes feel overly dramatic.
On average, reviews are positive, especially from fans who enjoy mythological dramas. The biggest applause is for the devotional scenes and the performances.
Plus Points
- Epic visuals: Grand temples, huge battle scenes, and scenic landscapes look stunning.
- Strong performances: Prabhas and Nayanthara shine, supported well by the rest.
- Devotional core: The emotional heart of the story adds depth.
- Scale and ambition: It’s a big‑screen experience made for theatres.
- Fantasy elements: Gods, miracles, and spiritual powers enhance the drama.
Minus Points
- Lengthy runtime: Over 3 hours can test viewers’ patience.
- Fantasy overload: Some may find the magical scenes excessive.
- Pacing dips: Slower scenes in the middle may feel tiring.
- Emotional depth limited: While grand, some relationships feel surface‑level.
Technical Department
- Cinematography: Sheldon Chau’s camera work captures the scale beautifully—from temple carvings to battlefield dust.
- Production Design: The temples, costumes, and sets feel rich and detailed.
- Editing: Mostly smooth, though trimming could improve pacing.
- VFX: The fantasy sequences use strong visual effects—some scenes are breathtaking, others slightly overdone.
- Sound Design: The clash of swords, drums of war, and chants of prayers make your seat vibrate.
- Music: The next heading!
Music Review
Music by Stephen Devassy and Mani Sharma is a mix of devotional tracks, battle themes, and emotional melodies. Highlights include:
- A powerful devotional hymn during Kannappa’s deep worship scenes.
- A romantic melody during the temple romance between Prabhas and Nayanthara.
- A rousing battle theme when warriors clash in epic showdowns.
The music is designed for big-screen moments and evokes strong emotions. If you enjoyed deep musical scenes in The Phoenician Scheme, the dramatic music here will also stand out.
Verdict
Kannappa is an ambitious film that dives into myth, faith, and heroism. It is slow in parts but aspiring in scope. It appeals to those who love devotional dramas, fantasy, and epic visuals. The performances, especially by Prabhas and Nayanthara, give it heart. But it’s best experienced in a theatre for its full impact.
It may not be for everyone. But if you enjoy films with gods, temples, and moral quests, this movie offers a grand, emotionally charged journey.
Should I Watch This Movie or Not?
- Yes, if you love mythological epics, devotional themes, and heroic storytelling.
- Yes, if you appreciate grand visuals, battlefield scenes, and strong musical scores.
- Maybe not, if you prefer shorter, faster-paced dramas or modern, everyday settings.
In summary, Kannappa is a grand adventure of faith and heroism. It’s made for those who want a mythic journey on the big screen.
Explore more epic and emotional films on CinemaGuru.in, like 28 Years Later, Romeo S3, or Sitare Zameen Par.
