Kannappa

Kannappa is a 2025 Telugu devotional epic directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and written by Vishnu Manchu, based on the legend of Kannappa, the hunter who became a devotee of Shiva and offered his eyes. Vishnu Manchu plays the title role, with Mohan Babu and R. Sarathkumar, and special appearances by Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal. It opened in theatres on 27 June 2025, runs 182 minutes, and has streamed on Prime Video since 4 September 2025.

What the story is about

Thinnadu is a tribal hunter and a non-believer who openly opposes the superstitions and human sacrifices practised in his tribe. After a clash with the chieftain’s son, he and his beloved Nemali are driven out of the clan. When a band of raiders led by Kala Mukha threatens the sacred Vayulingam, Thinnadu is drawn into a fight to protect it, and encounters with forms of Shiva begin to change the hunter who did not believe. The film follows his journey from sceptic to the devotee remembered as Kannappa; the famous climax of the legend is the film’s ending, so we stop at the set-up here.

Cast and characters

• Vishnu Manchu as Thinnadu / Kannappa
• Preity Mukhundhan as Nemali
• Mohan Babu as Mahadeva Sastri, a high priest
• R. Sarathkumar as Nathanathudu, Thinnadu’s father
• Mohanlal as Kirata and Prabhas as Rudra (special appearances)
• Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva and Kajal Aggarwal as Goddess Parvati (special appearances)
• Madhoo as Pannaga Rani, Mukesh Rishi as Kampadu and Devaraj as Mundadu
• Brahmanandam as Pilaka, Saptagiri as Gilaka, Raghu Babu as Mallayya and Brahmaji as Gavvaraju

Crew and music

• Director: Mukesh Kumar Singh, known for the TV series Mahabharat (2013)
• Writer: Vishnu Manchu; story development credited to Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, Eshwar Reddy, G. Nageswara Reddy and Thota Prasad
• Producer: Mohan Babu (24 Frames Factory and AVA Entertainment)
• Music and score: Stephen Devassy; lyrics by Suddala Ashok Teja, Ramajogayya Sastry and Sri Mani

The film was launched on 18 August 2023 at the Srikalahasteeswara temple in Srikalahasti, and most of it was shot in New Zealand, with the cameo portions filmed at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. The story is set in the second century CE.

Release and reception

Kannappa was first planned for 25 April 2025 but was delayed for visual-effects work and released on 27 June 2025, in Telugu with dubbed versions in other languages. Reviews were mostly mixed to negative, with the screenplay, length and visual effects criticised, and the climax and songs better received. Bollywood Hungama (3/5) praised its “goosebumps-inducing final 20 minutes”, and Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India (3/5) called it “a sincere attempt at retelling revered lore with visual grandeur”. Swaroop Kodur of The Indian Express (2.5/5) found it “incoherent for most parts”, and Aditya Devulapally of Cinema Express (2/5) called it “a bloated star showcase”.

On box office, Asianet News Telugu reported a worldwide gross of ₹39.75 crore after eleven days in theatres.

Where to watch Kannappa

Kannappa streams on Amazon Prime Video. It started streaming on 4 September 2025.

More Telugu films like this on Tollywood Desk: Jatadhara, Nagabandham: The Secret Treasure, Daaku Maharaaj.

Sources: the Wikipedia article on Kannappa and the reviews it summarises; box office from Asianet News Telugu; our own cast, crew, release and OTT records.