Finally, the movie everyone was eagerly waiting for is here – Kannappa! Starring Vishnu Manchu in the lead, and featuring stalwarts like Mohan Babu, Prabhas, even Mohanlal in pivotal roles, this devotional-drama created quite a buzz even before its release. So, does the movie really live up to the hype, and does it deliver a great spiritual experience? Let’s find out!
Story: The journey of a hunter to becoming a devotee
The story of Kannappa revolves around Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu), a dreaded tribal hunter. He lives his life on his instincts and has no belief in Gods and such. But his world changes when he finds a serene Shivalingam in the forest. At first, he takes it as a challenge, but slowly his attitude changes into a true and unconditional devotion.
Without any knowledge of rituals, Thinnadu worships with all his devotion. When Lord Shiva (Akshay Kumar) puts his devotion to the ultimate test, he makes a sacrifice that shakes even the gods themselves. It is the story of an atheist who becomes a saint with his innocence, love and devotion.
Fact check: The story of Kannappa is the story of a famous saint in South Indian folklore, known as Kannappa Nayanar. His story as shown in the film, which includes the sacrifice of offering his eyes to Lord Shiva, is based on folklore. Akshay Kumar’s appearance as Lord Shiva and Prabhas’ appearance as Rudra are creative liberties of the film.
What did you like? (Plus Points)
Honest effort: This film deserves full credit for its genuine effort to bring Kannappa’s story to today’s generation. Vishnu Manchu’s hard work, both as an actor and in making the film, is evident.
Vishnu Manchu’s powerful work: Vishnu has done a really amazing job. The transformation of his character is very well portrayed. His long monologue in one scene, which he delivers emotionally in one take, shows how much he was immersed in his character.
Prabhas’ magic: Prabhas as Rudra is a game changer! His entry in the second half brings life to the film. His character has a great mix of humour and wisdom.
His scenes with Vishnu and Mohan Babu are not only funny but also deepen the spiritual journey.
Emotional climax: The scenes after Thinnadu embarks on the path of devotion are very well done, and the climax touches the heart. Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal may appear for a short time, but their presence is felt.
Supporting Cast: Mohan Babu has given a solid performance. Mohanlal’s role is small, but his scene with Vishnu before the interval is very effective. Preeti Mukundan has also done a good job, and Sarathkumar and others have also played their roles well.
Where did it go wrong? (Minus Points)
Slow start: Since the story is already known to many, the film should have been told in a more emotional way. Unfortunately, the first half seems a bit slow, and the real story picks up pace only after the interval.
Incomplete emotions: Some important emotional links like Thinnadu’s relationship with his father and wife are not shown well. This could have given the film more emotional depth and helped the audience connect with the character.
More depth of devotion: Thinnadu’s devotion is well portrayed, but her innocent and pure relationship with Shiva could have been shown with more touching and emotional scenes.
Underutilization of Mohan Babu: Mohan Babu’s role, though good, seems to have been underutilized. His scenes with Vishnu had the potential to create great moments, but they lack the dramatic impact.
Undeveloped characters: Madhubala, Brahmanandam and several other supporting characters seem to have limited purpose and are not developed properly, which misses an opportunity to make the story better. The action scenes could have been better too.
Technical Aspects: Kitna Dum Tha?
Director Mukesh Kumar Singh has portrayed the story honestly, but he could have explored its emotional and spiritual layers more deeply. The writing is good, the dialogues are effective, and Sheldon Chow’s cinematography makes for a visually rich experience.
Stephen Devase’s music is decent, though some songs, especially the romantic ones, don’t fit the story and break the flow. A tighter soundtrack could have kept the pace of the film going.
Anthony’s editing is neat, but trimming some parts of the first half could have given the film a better rhythm. The production values are good, though the VFX don’t seem as strong as the scale of the story. Better visual quality could have made the overall experience better.
Verdict: Watch or not? (Verdict)
On the whole, Kannappaa is a sincere and heartfelt attempt to retell a powerful tale of devotion. Vishnu Manchu gives one of his most sincere performances, while Prabhas brings tremendous presence and energy in the second half. Despite a slow start and some incomplete characters, the film later finds its rhythm and builds to an emotional, emotional story.
