Kannappa Trailer Review: Akshay Kumar Joins Vishnu Manchu In This Epic Saga Of Devotion

The much-anticipated trailer of Kannappa, featuring a galaxy of stars and heavy visual effects, has finally dropped—and let’s just say, it has stirred up more confusion than clarity. Others are left wondering if this movie is just another one of the many “Baahubalified” epics that aim too high yet fall short in terms of narrative, while others are ecstatic with the scope and star power.

 

Kannappa: A Baahubali Blend Of Myth And Mayhem

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Several films have attempted to replicate the magic of Baahubali since it became a cinematic revolution, using slow-motion warrior walks, enormous weaponry, scenes with a lot of visual effects, and, of course, characters that are larger than life. Kannappa follows the same template, especially with Prabhas in a role that screams “epic warrior.” Dressed in divine glory and equipped with dramatic dialogues, his appearance feels more like a nostalgic nod to Amarendra Baahubali than a fresh character sketch.

But does it work this time? That’s debatable.

 

Kannappa: Akshay Kumar As Mahadev

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One of the trailer’s major highlights, depending on how you see it, is Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of Lord Shiva. After already donning this divine avatar in OMG 2, we will see him in a similar role. Despite the trishul and damru props, there’s an emotional void in his scenes. It almost feels like watching a well-rehearsed school play—visually decent but lacking the soul needed to carry a spiritual role of such magnitude.

Add to that Kajal Aggarwal as Devi Parvati, and you have a divine duo that looks good but doesn’t feel rooted.

 

Kannappa Trailer

The trailer throws an overwhelming number of characters at you—Vishnu Manchu as the titular Kannappa, Mohan Babu, Mohanlal, Arpit Ranka, Brahmanandam, Saptagiri, Mukesh Rishi, Aishwarya Bhaskaran, Madhoo, and more. It’s like a star-studded buffet with no clear entree.

Vishnu Manchu appears to be giving it his all in this mytho-action avatar, running through forests, battling unknown enemies, and screaming in devotion. But there’s hardly a coherent thread that ties his journey together in the trailer. Instead, what you get is a mashup of dramatic visuals—wars, temples, mystical forests, and slow-motion shots—trying to impress with scale rather than depth.

 

Kannappa Trailer Review

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As expected, fans of Prabhas are celebrating his brief but striking presence. His dubbed voice in the Hindi trailer has even sparked memes for its overly heroic tone.

Some social media users praised the real-world locations used in the film, appreciating the fact that the filmmakers chose authentic backdrops over heavy green-screen usage. Others, however, didn’t hold back their criticism.

From calling the CGI underwhelming to mocking the costumes and set design, many viewers pointed out that Kannappa looks like a TV serial trying to masquerade as a pan-India epic.

Another criticism that stood out was the apparent identity crisis in the film’s design. Instead of drawing from Indian tribal and cultural roots, the visual palette feels like a limitation of Vikings or Game of Thrones, which left many wondering: why not stick to the authenticity of Kannappa’s mythological roots?

 

Kannappa, Can It Still Deliver?

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Even with this, Kannappa has the potential to surprise. The cast is undoubtedly impressive, and if the story comes together in the full feature, the film could still strike a chord with audiences who love mythological dramas.

The trailer might not have lived up to expectations, especially in its Hindi version, but it’s too early to completely write it off. There’s a spiritual foundation in the story of Kannappa—the devotee who offered his own eyes to Lord Shiva—that, if handled with emotional sensitivity, could still redeem the film.

 

Kannappa Release Date

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Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kannappa is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 27, promising an emotionally charged, visually rich tale of devotion and bravery. Alongside Vishnu Manchu in the lead, the film features special appearances by Prabhas and Mohanlal, with Akshay Kumar bringing his star power to the divine role of Mahadev.

 

Final Thoughts

The Kannappa trailer is grand, chaotic, and ambitious—but whether it’s enough to translate into a compelling cinematic experience remains to be seen. If you’re a fan of mythological action-dramas, the film might still be worth your time.

Will this mytho-drama hit the right divine note or be just another forgettable epic?

Stay tuned for our full movie review after the release. Drop your thoughts on the trailer in the comments below!

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Shivani Kashyap: Hi, I’m a content writer who simply loves writing. Whether it’s a blog post, an article, or just a random idea that turns into a full piece, I enjoy the process of putting thoughts into words. I’m passionate about creating content that feels real, relatable, and engaging. Writing lets me explore different topics, connect with people, and keep learning every day. This space is where I share a little bit of what I love to do, hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!