Sat Jun 28 01:50:00 UTC 2025: ## ‘Kannappa’ Movie Review: An Overfunded School Play Gone Wrong

**New Delhi, India** – Manchu Vishnu’s ambitious mythological drama “Kannappa” has been released to overwhelmingly negative reviews, with critics calling it an “overfunded costume parade” and an “expensive school function accidentally filmed.”

Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, the film boasts a star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal. However, critics argue that their presence does little to salvage the film’s numerous flaws.

The movie tells the story of Tinnadu, a tribal warrior in 2nd century CE who transforms from an atheist to a devoted Shiva follower. The film struggles with an identity crisis, awkwardly oscillating between a mythological epic, a historical war drama, and a devotional film.

One of the biggest criticisms is the film’s production design. Despite being shot in picturesque locations, the visuals are described as resembling a “rehearsal round from a school function.” The costumes and makeup are criticized as being cheap and unconvincing, hindering the audience’s ability to immerse themselves in the story.

The performances have also been panned. Manchu Vishnu’s portrayal of Kannappa is deemed unconvincing, while other actors like Mohanlal are “criminally underutilized.” Even the younger actors have faced flak with many commenting that the anglo accent of Manchu Vishnu’s son seems completely out of place for the time period the movie is set in.

While the music receives praise as a highlight, critics widely agree that “Kannappa” is ultimately a misguided and overblown project. One reviewer quipped that the film seemed solely made so that Vishnu could launch all his kids and share the screen with his father Mohan Babu. They concluded that the movie is worth watching “for the sheer joy of seeing expensive wigs suffer under New Zealand’s wind.”

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