Hyderabad: The mythological epic Kannappa, starring Vishnu Manchu and featuring many super stars in special roles, has triggered a wide range of reactions on social media, splitting audiences into two distinct camps — those moved by its emotional climax and devotional message, and those frustrated by its pacing, execution, and visual effects.

Praise for performances and climax

Some viewers highlighted Kannappa's strong emotional beats in the second half. “Vishnu Manchu’s acting shines particularly in the last 30 minutes,” wrote one user, while others called the film “a heartfelt effort” that resonates with fans of Lord Shiva. Prabhas’ cameo as Rudra is being celebrated for its soulful presence and emotional warmth. A user noted, “After Baahubali, this is Prabhas reconnecting with family audiences.”

Social media calls it a ‘devotional powerhouse’

Another user on X (formerly Twitter) described the climax as “tear-inducing” and “spine-chilling,” reinforcing the film’s attempt to mix spirituality with mass appeal. Mohan Babu and Ronit Roy also received shout-outs for their serious screen presence. The film’s background score, particularly the song “Kaali Shakti,” was noted for its energy, although some found its placement forced.

But many aren’t buying the devotion

Not all reactions were glowing. Reviewer social media user delivered a harsh verdict:

“Yay... Kannappa ending is so good that I felt immense happiness that the movie finally ended!! What a nightmare..! Waste of money, waste of your time.”

He rated the film 2.5/5, praising the lead pair’s chemistry and the climax, but slammed its songs, action scenes, and visual effects.

Another Telugu user sarcastically wrote:

“Kannappa touches the level of Ashwinth Kokkin (sarcastically implying mediocrity)... or maybe they just paid for good reviews.”

Scorecards and breakdowns flood timelines

One shared a detailed segment-wise scorecard giving the film an average of 2.75/5, noting decent acting (4/5) but below-par visuals (2.45/5). He acknowledged some emotional weight and dialogue strength but found the overall impact underwhelming.

Netizen backlash prompts calls for copyright strikes

The backlash reached a point where users jokingly urged the makers to issue copyright strikes against channels and reviewers criticising the film, further fuelling the online chaos.

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal makes a noteworthy cameo as Kirata, a mystical figure representing Lord Shiva in disguise, in Kannappa. Social media reactions described Mohanlal’s entry as “majestic” and “spiritually grounding,” and fans particularly praised the depth he brings without relying on dramatic flair. His interactions with Vishnu Manchu’s character are subtle but crucial to the protagonist’s transformation from a skeptic to a devout Shiva bhakt.

Notably, Mohanlal reportedly joined the project without charging a fee, out of respect for Mohan Babu, further elevating the goodwill surrounding his participation. For fans of Mohanlal, Kannappa offers a glimpse of the actor in a rare pan-Indian devotional avatar, leaving behind a quiet but memorable imprint.

While Vishnu Manchu’s Kannappa was built as a spiritual epic backed by devotion and legacy, the audience verdict is far from unified. For some, it’s a film of divine loyalty and emotional resonance. For others, it’s a cinematic ordeal, with overlong scenes and CGI that falls flat. Either way, Kannappa is sparking conversation — for all the right and wrong reasons.