Kannappa is a high-budget devotional action drama directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and starring Vishnu Manchu, Preity Mukhundhan, Mohan Babu, Sarathkumar, Mohanlal, and Madhubala. It revolves around the transformation of a tribal leader into a great devotee of Lord Shiva, blending mythological elements with action and drama.

Plot Summary
Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu) grows up in a village adjacent to a forest. Since childhood, he opposes animal and human sacrifices practiced in honor of a local goddess. He becomes the village leader due to his strength and bravery and marries his love interest, Nemali (Preity Mukhundhan).

Nearby, there is a sacred spot in the forest where Lord Shiva manifests as the self-formed "Vayulingam." Mahadevashastri (Mohan Babu) guards this lingam, believing he alone has the right to worship it. Conflict arises when Kalamukhudu (Arpit) attempts to seize the sacred lingam with his army, prompting several villages to unite against him.

Initially skeptical of Shiva, Thinnadu gradually faces events that transform him into the ardent devotee Kannappa. How Thinnadu confronts Kalamukhudu and realizes his spiritual journey forms the crux of the plot.

Analysis
Recreating a devotional narrative like Kannappa’s story for the contemporary audience is challenging. Vishnu Manchu, as a producer, boldly ventures into this task, even shooting significant portions in New Zealand despite criticisms regarding authenticity and nativity.

While audiences expect strong interactions between Kannappa and Shiva, the majority of the film focuses instead on village conflicts and battles to protect the sacred lingam. The spiritual transformation takes time, causing some audience impatience. However, the introduction of Prabhas as Rudra notably enhances audience engagement, though his appearance could have been refined further. Prabhas’s dialogues are simple and relatable.

Akshay Kumar initially seems an odd choice as Shiva, but viewers gradually adjust. Mohanlal's role lacks impact, and Madhubala, Brahmanandam, and Saptagiri’s characters seem unnecessary. Additionally, dialogues in the tribal dialect could have been better varied.

Performances
Vishnu Manchu effectively portrays the rugged and determined Thinnadu, transitioning convincingly into the devotional Kannappa. Prabhas's brief yet significant role is impactful. Mohan Babu brings depth to Mahadevashastri, while other actors like Mohanlal are underutilized.

Technical Aspects
The film prominently showcases impressive cinematography, breathtaking New Zealand locations, and captivating background music by Stephen Devassy, significantly supporting the storytelling. Although visually appealing, the choice of foreign locations slightly diminishes the film's native cultural connection.

Action scenes dominate much of the narrative, particularly before the interval, leaving devotional aspects somewhat sidelined until the latter half. The song picturizations are well-executed, enriching the visual experience.

Final Verdict
Kannappa takes considerable time to highlight the crucial spiritual transition of its protagonist. Had the director balanced action sequences more evenly with devotional elements, the film could have scored higher. Nonetheless, performances, visuals, and music make it worth a watch for audiences interested in devotional dramas.