Manchu Vishnu's Kannappa Faces Ongoing Criticism

Manchu Vishnu is gearing up to present himself as 'Kannappa' to audiences, with the film set for a worldwide release on the 25th of next month. As the release date approaches, the promotional campaign has intensified. However, the depiction of Kannappa’s story, which was filmed in foreign locations, has been a topic of debate from the beginning.

Several aspects of the film have drawn criticism, including portraying a tribal hunter as a warrior, showing Lord Shiva without a mustache, and Prabhas’ appearance in the film, which has left some viewers dissatisfied. Additionally, a recently released song, Shiva Shiva Shankara, has sparked further discussion. In one scene, Kannappa is seen performing a ritual by pouring water from his mouth onto a Shiva Lingam due to a lack of available resources. However, in the following shot, he is shown offering wild animal meat in an earthen pot, a sequence that has surprised many.

More recently, another lyrical song from the film, Sagamai Cherisagamai, was released, but like its predecessor, it has also faced backlash. Critics argue that the song fails to capture the authenticity of tribal culture. They note that in past renditions of Bhakta Kannappa, the songs retained the natural dialect and essence of the tribal community, which contributed to their lasting appeal. However, this new song contains lyrics such as "Iru Pedhavula Shabdam... Viri Mudhula Yuddham", which some feel resemble a modern romantic song rather than one sung by a tribal couple.

Additionally, a scene in the song where the heroine's lips are about to be kissed by Kannappa has also raised eyebrows. As the film continues its promotional journey, these creative choices remain a point of contention among audiences and critics alike.