Kannappa X Review: Netizens Hail A Strong Second Half, But VFX Draws Adipurush-Level Criticism

Vishnu Manchu's Kannappa receives mixed reactions on Twitter. While the performances and second half earn praise, the film’s VFX and first half come under criticism.

Mukesh Kumar Singh’s much-anticipated 'Kannappa', led by Vishnu Manchu and featuring a star-studded ensemble including Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, and Mohanlal, hit theatres this Friday. Twitter, now rebranded as X, has been buzzing with reactions that range from high praise to sharp criticism, making it clear that the devotional action drama has left audiences with mixed feelings.

Second Half Strikes a Chord

One of the most consistent observations across user reviews is the film’s powerful second half. Many viewers acknowledged the emotional weight and mythological depth delivered in the latter part of the film. One user remarked,“Just watched #Kannappa. My Rating: 3.5/5. For the goosebump BGM in 2nd half – pure magic! #VishnuManchu’s performance shines, especially in emotional scenes. #Prabhas & #MohanBabu’s powerful presence takes it to another level...2nd half is a Super Blockbuster!”

 

Another user echoed the sentiment, noting the crowd's reaction to Prabhas: “Prabhas dialogues ki theatre lo whistles vachchayi. Vishnu emotional ga perform chesadu especially 2nd half lo Mythology and visuals solid ga connect ayayi.”

 

Strong Performances, Weak Foundation

While actors like Vishnu Manchu, Prabhas, and Mohanlal were praised for their portrayals, some viewers pointed out significant issues in the first half. “Interval - Avg. Very good subject, Weak writing, Excellent score, peak performances...Romance scenes tests patience...overall avg…Lal sir presence,” one user commented.

 

Another post summed it up as a “mixed bag with some highs and lows,” citing positives such as the music and performances, but calling out the “weak cinematography, average editing, artificial CGI, costumes.”

VFX Sparks Adipurush Déjà Vu

One of the harshest criticisms aimed at 'Kannappa' is its visual effects. Several comparisons were made to Prabhas’ earlier outing in Adipurush, which was similarly panned for its CGI.

“#Kannappa - The Worst VFX /CGI since Adipurush in India! Barring #AkshayKumar and #Prabhas there are nothing that is worth watching for...” wrote one user.

Another review took issue with the emotional depth, or lack thereof:“Horrible sir.. vfx song lo scene lo fight lo asalu emotion undadu...except Prabhas scenes movie motham worst..asalu page page la dialogues with out emotion enduko artam kadu #Kannappa.”

'Kannappa', which narrates the story of the Shaivite devotee, features a large cast including Mohan Babu, R Sarathkumar, Brahmanandam, and Madhoo. While some fans found the mythological tale inspiring and emotionally engaging, others felt let down by the inconsistent writing and jarring visuals. For now, Kannappa seems to be a one-time watch elevated by its cast — especially in the climactic second half.