<p>It takes over three hours for acrimonious disbeliever Thinnadu to turn into a docile devotee, <em>Kannappa</em>. In between, the film subtly teases blind beliefs (like human sacrifices), faith in scheming sorceresses, and ‘sacred’ Brahminical religious practices without ruffling feathers.</p>.<p><em>Kannappa</em> is scripted around the mythological tale of a 12th-century saint of the Saiva Siddhanta School at the Srikalahasteeswara Temple. Mohan Babu mounts the film on a titanic scale to showcase son Vishnu Manchu as a prospective Tollywood star. </p><p>Producer-papa and director Mukesh Kumar Singh leave nothing to the imagination - scenic songs, stylised fights, derring-do, vitriolic dialogues, macho tribesmen, vengeful rivalries, voyeuristic female visuals, CGI and VFX renditions, and eye-catching cinematography by California-based, Cantonese cinematographer Sheldon Chau.</p>.'Detective Sherdil' movie review: Whodunit with missed opportunities.<p>In keeping with our fixation with the pan-India formula, Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal appear as Shiva and Parvati, with Mohanlal as Kirata, master of the powerful Pashupatastra weapon. Prabhas plays Rudra, the cosmic force guiding atheist Thinnadu’s transformation into ardent Shiva bhakt, Kannappa.</p>.<p>Though technically rich and inspired in its intent to show the moral arc an agnostic undergoes, ‘Kannappa’ falters in holding the audience’s attention. The narrative lacks depth and unfolds in a desultory fashion.</p>.<p>In today’s fast-paced, social media-driven times, Mohan Babu’s choice of mythology to launch Vishnu Manchu seems misplaced. A contextual, nuanced romantic thriller might have worked better.</p>.<p>Newcomer Preity Mukhundhan’s screentime is mostly limited to bathing, swimming, and swooning over Vishnu Manchu, while the clansmen battle over the divine Vayu linga. As for Vishnu Manchu, he lacks the heft to carry the titular role - and with it, the burden of ‘Kannappa’’s turnstile prospects.</p>
<p>It takes over three hours for acrimonious disbeliever Thinnadu to turn into a docile devotee, <em>Kannappa</em>. In between, the film subtly teases blind beliefs (like human sacrifices), faith in scheming sorceresses, and ‘sacred’ Brahminical religious practices without ruffling feathers.</p>.<p><em>Kannappa</em> is scripted around the mythological tale of a 12th-century saint of the Saiva Siddhanta School at the Srikalahasteeswara Temple. Mohan Babu mounts the film on a titanic scale to showcase son Vishnu Manchu as a prospective Tollywood star. </p><p>Producer-papa and director Mukesh Kumar Singh leave nothing to the imagination - scenic songs, stylised fights, derring-do, vitriolic dialogues, macho tribesmen, vengeful rivalries, voyeuristic female visuals, CGI and VFX renditions, and eye-catching cinematography by California-based, Cantonese cinematographer Sheldon Chau.</p>.'Detective Sherdil' movie review: Whodunit with missed opportunities.<p>In keeping with our fixation with the pan-India formula, Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal appear as Shiva and Parvati, with Mohanlal as Kirata, master of the powerful Pashupatastra weapon. Prabhas plays Rudra, the cosmic force guiding atheist Thinnadu’s transformation into ardent Shiva bhakt, Kannappa.</p>.<p>Though technically rich and inspired in its intent to show the moral arc an agnostic undergoes, ‘Kannappa’ falters in holding the audience’s attention. The narrative lacks depth and unfolds in a desultory fashion.</p>.<p>In today’s fast-paced, social media-driven times, Mohan Babu’s choice of mythology to launch Vishnu Manchu seems misplaced. A contextual, nuanced romantic thriller might have worked better.</p>.<p>Newcomer Preity Mukhundhan’s screentime is mostly limited to bathing, swimming, and swooning over Vishnu Manchu, while the clansmen battle over the divine Vayu linga. As for Vishnu Manchu, he lacks the heft to carry the titular role - and with it, the burden of ‘Kannappa’’s turnstile prospects.</p>