Ever been to a school annual day function where every kid is dressed as a mythological character, the parents are beaming, makeup is slathered on thick, and the costumes look like they were bought last minute from a roadside shop? Now imagine that, but with a budget so massive, it could fund a small country. Congratulations, you have visualised Kannappa — Manchu Vishnu’s latest ambitious project that feels less like a movie and more like an overfunded costume parade accidentally filmed for the big screen.
The film, directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, opens with the song ‘Srikala Hasti’, featuring Manchu Vishnu’s daughters Ariaana and Viviana dressed as tribal children from what appears to be present-day New Zealand masquerading as ancient India. The song is so painfully awkward, it will make you question your life choices. It is the kind of opening that gently reminds you to lower your expectations all the way to the ground. Shot in postcard-perfect locations, the song somehow still manages to look like the rehearsal round from a school function. Its memo might as well read: “Tribal Day at an elite international school.” The performances, much like the choreography, costumes, and overall atmosphere, scream: “Parent-teacher meeting tomorrow, better clap.”
Then there’s Vishnu’s son, Avram, playing young Tinnadu. Now, keep in mind, this film is set in the 2nd century CE. But little Avram arrives with a heavy anglo accent as if he’s preparing for an English play on Broadway.
Kannappa features the who’s who of Indian cinema: Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, Mohanlal, Sarat Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, and Mohan Babu. Sadly, not even this star power can save this mythological cosplay fest. Most of them look like they turned up, shot their scenes, and fled before Vishnu could ask for a second take.
The story follows Tinnadu, an atheist tribal warrior who turns into an ardent Shiva devotee, performing the ultimate sacrifice of transplanting his eyes to the deity.
After his friend is killed in a sacrifice to appease the gods, Tinnadu starts despising the gods and views deities as mere rocks. His father (Sarat Kumar) does not like his behaviour but does not impose his religious beliefs on him either. Tinnadu grows to lead his clan but disapproves of their religious rituals. Threat looms over his tribe and other clans as a ruthless invader, Kalamukhudu (Arpit Ranka), sets his eyes on the vayu lingam — a sacred Shiva idol. Tinnadu’s tribe and four other clans join forces to resist Kalamukhudu, who intends to avenge the death of his brother by destroying the forest and the tribes who are sworn to protect the deity.
Preity Mukundhan plays Nemali, a warrior princess from a matriarchal tribe. She’s fierce, independent, and battle-hardened, until she can’t pluck an ice-apple from a tree. Enter Manchu Vishnu, bow in hand, ready to teach her archery and remind that she is, after all, still a woman. It’s basically a discounted remake of Baahubali’s most panned scene, but with worse costumes and makeup that looks straight out of a suburban parlour’s “bridal package.” The lack of originality tests your patience.
Nemali, like every other ‘tribal’ character in this film, looks suspiciously well-groomed. She has perfect hair, manicured nails, flawless makeup, because when you are fighting for survival in the jungle, obviously the first priority is looking ready for a soap commercial.
All these jarring details never allow you to suspend your disbelief and enjoy the movie. It is visible that the production house could not afford to bring many junior artistes to New Zealand, nor take risks with art design.
Mohanlal, Aishwarya Bhaskaran, and others bravely attempt to act through layers of greasepaint and budget Halloween costumes. Unfortunately, their efforts are buried under glitter, poorly stitched fabrics, and questionable wigs. Unintentionally, they end up providing the laughter missing in the film.
However, the film comes to life with the arrival of Prabhas as Rudra. He brings some much-needed gravitas to the film, but blink, and he’s gone, leaving the audience back in the clutches of this expensive school function.
The film suffers from a massive identity crisis. Is it a mythological epic? A historical war drama? A BookMyShow-exclusive devotional special? It never decides. Instead, it awkwardly jumps from tribal warfare to teary-eyed devotion like a confused contestant in a reality show switching genres mid-performance.
And poor Manchu Vishnu… despite the muscles, fake tattoos, and attempted hero poses, he never quite sells Kannappa. The divine transformation is less “spiritual awakening” and more “last-minute fancy dress rehearsal.”
Mohanlal is criminally underutilised in the film. Despite his towering presence, his brief appearance barely leaves a dent in the narrative. Preity Mukundhan, though battling some distracting makeup choices, manages to deliver a fairly convincing performance. Sarat Kumar, Akshay Kumar, and Prabhas deliver a decent performance.
As for Mohan Babu, his character might be important on paper, but thanks to weak writing and shallow characterisation, his performance fades into the background, making little lasting impact.
The only department that escapes this sinking ship with dignity is the music. The songs are great and aid in selling the story.
Overall, Kannappa is not a film. It is an extravagant fancy dress contest accidentally filmed and sent to theatres. The film was solely made so that Vishnu could launch all his kids and share the screen with his father Mohan Babu. Watch it for the sheer joy of seeing expensive wigs suffer under New Zealand’s wind.
Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither TNM nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the producers or any other members of its cast and crew.