Vishnu Manchu’s ‘Kannappa’ Set to Release Amidst High Expectations

KANNAPPA, India — Vishnu Manchu‘s much-anticipated film, ‘Kannappa,’ is set to hit theaters on June 27, 2025. This Telugu-language devotional film features Manchu in the lead role alongside stars like Mohanlal, Prabhas, and Akshay Kumar making cameo appearances. Centered on a story of devotion to Lord Shiva, ‘Kannappa’ seeks to capture the essence of Sanatan Dharma.

As excitement builds for the film’s release, early reviews are already surfacing. Notable screenwriter Kona Venkat took to X (formerly Twitter) praising the performances of Vishnu Manchu, Prabhas, and Mohan Babu. Venkat highlighted the thrilling second half of the film, stating, ‘There are so many WOW moments, especially in the last half-hour.’

Fans on social media have shared mixed reactions, particularly regarding the VFX quality. One user commended the film for its stunning visuals, saying, ‘Kannappa is a mythological entertainment package with impressive BGM. The climax is the best part.’ Conversely, another viewer pointed out that some VFX scenes didn’t meet expectations, affecting the overall pacing.

In a recent interview, Vishnu revealed that both Mohanlal and Prabhas did not charge any fees for their participation in the film. Mohanlal expressed his support for the project, rooted in his respect for Manchu’s father, Mohan Babu. Vishnu mentioned that despite the film being produced on a budget of Rs. 200 crore, he approached the two stars out of a desire to honor Lord Shiva.

‘They would yell at me!’ Vishnu recalled, reflecting on their refusal of payment. Mohanlal said, ‘You grew up around me, and now you’re offering me money?’ Prabhas even joked about threatening him if the topic of fees arose again.’

The film features a runtime of over three hours and has been filmed at locations including Christchurch, New Zealand. Initially slated for release on April 25, 2025, the date was pushed back due to additional VFX work. ‘Kannappa’ aims to resonate with audiences across multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

As the release approaches, trade analyst Sumit Kadel conveyed his excitement, stating, ‘The last moments are emotionally powerful and will resonate deeply with Lord Shiva devotees.’