Kannappa is one of the most ambitious and grand Telugu films coming in 2025. Telling the inspiring story of Kannappa, a great devotee of Lord Shiva, the film is a blend of devotion, fantasy, and action. The film stars Vishnu Manchu in the lead, and features cameo roles by Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, and produced by Mohan Babu under AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory, the film is expected to be a visual and emotional treat. The release is scheduled for 27 June 2025, in multiple Indian languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and English.
All You Need to Know
- Format: Pan-Indian Mythological Fantasy Film
- Genre: Devotional, Action, Fantasy
- Language: Telugu (Dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, English)
- Director: Mukesh Kumar Singh
- Writer: Vishnu Manchu
- Production Houses: 24 Frames Factory, AVA Entertainment
- Lead Cast: Vishnu Manchu, Preity Mukhundhan
- Special Appearances: Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal
- Music: Stephen Devassy
- Release Date: 27 June 2025
Kannappa Release Date
Originally planned for 25 April 2025, the film’s release was postponed due to advanced VFX work and post-production delays. It is now officially scheduled to release in theatres worldwide on 27 June 2025. This film will be released in six languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and English, making it a true Pan-India project.
Kannappa Movie Cast Details
- Vishnu Manchu as Thinnadu alias Kannappa
- Preity Mukhundhan as Nemali
- Mohan Babu as Mahadeva Shasthri
- R. Sarathkumar, Mukesh Rishi, Madhoo, Brahmanandam, Raghu Babu, Arpit Ranka, Devaraj, Kaushal Manda and others
Cameos:
- Mohanlal as Kirata
- Prabhas as Rudra
- Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva
- Kajal Aggarwal as Goddess Parvati
Plot Overview
Kannappa is based on the legendary story of a tribal hunter named Thinnadu who became an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. His deep love and sacrifice for his deity made him immortal in Indian spiritual history. This movie brings his emotional journey and divine devotion to life through grand visuals, powerful dialogues, and spiritual music. The story highlights the themes of faith, sacrifice, and transformation.
Production Insights
The project has been a dream for over a decade. Originally developed by Tanikella Bharani as ‘Bhaktha Kannappa’, the rights were later sold to Vishnu Manchu who re-developed the story with inputs from veteran writers like Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, V. Vijayendra Prasad, and Sai Madhav Burra. The film is being directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, known for his strong experience in mythological series. It was officially launched on 18 August 2023 at Srikalahasteeswara Temple.
Filming Details
Filming began on 25 September 2023 in New Zealand. Over 80% of the movie was shot there in scenic locations like Auckland, Rotorua, Wanaka, and Christchurch. The shoot later moved to Hyderabad for the final schedules. Akshay Kumar wrapped up his cameo shoot in May 2024 and Prabhas joined the sets soon after. The shoot was completed between late 2024 and early 2025 despite some injuries and delays.
Kannappa Movie Budget and Production Quality
Kannappa is made with a massive budget of ₹200 crore. With high-end VFX, picturesque locations, and experienced technicians, the film aims to provide world-class visuals. Cinematography is by Sheldon Chau, and editing is done by Anthony. The production involved large-scale coordination across New Zealand and India, handled by U.S. consultant Al Domino.
Why Fans are Excited
- Star Power: Vishnu Manchu leads the film with powerful cameos by Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Akshay Kumar
- Spiritual Connection: A deeply emotional tale of Shiva bhakti rarely explored at such scale
- Cinematic Appeal: High-end visuals, VFX, action and devotional drama together
- Multilingual Release: Available in 6 languages for a Pan-India audience
- Mythology Meets Modern Cinema: A blend of ancient devotion and modern filmmaking
Where to Watch Kannappa
Kannappa will release in theatres worldwide on 27 June 2025. After its theatrical run, the film is expected to stream on major OTT platforms, but the official streaming partner has not yet been announced.
Kannappa Teaser
Kannappa Trailer and Songs
The trailer of Kannappa movie has not been released yet. The full trailer will release on 14th June, 2025. Due to the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Akshay Kumar and Vishnu Manchu have cancelled the Kannappa trailer launch event that was set for Friday, June 13 in Indore. As a mark of respect for the victims and their families, the trailer release has been postponed by a day.
The music album composed by Stephen Devassy includes devotional and emotional tracks. Some confirmed songs are:
- Shiva Shiva Shankara – Vijay Prakash
- Love Song – L. V. Revanth & Sahithi Chaganti
- Om Namah Shivaya – Shankar Mahadevan
- Sri-Kala-Hasti – Ariaana Manchu & Viviana Manchu
Also Read: New Tatkal Ticket Booking Rules: No Aadhaar, No Tatkal Ticket from July 2025
FAQs
What is the release date of Kannappa?
Kannappa will release in theatres on 27 June 2025.
Who is playing the role of Kannappa in the film?
Vishnu Manchu plays the title role of Thinnadu/Kannappa.
Which actors appear in cameo roles in Kannappa?
Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal appear in special cameo roles.
Who composed the music for Kannappa?
Stephen Devassy has composed the songs and original score.
Will Kannappa be available in languages other than Telugu?
Yes, it will be dubbed and released in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and English.
Where was Kannappa filmed?
Major parts of the film were shot in New Zealand and Hyderabad.