Kannappa Review By Ram Gopal Varma: Vishnu Manchu Shares Private Message, Netizens Question Hidden Lines

Ram Gopal Varma's Kannappa Review: Kannappa, which opened in theaters worldwide on June 27, 2025, has been receiving mixed reviews. Amid the varied responses, veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma privately shared his thoughts on the film with lead actor Vishnu Manchu via WhatsApp, offering a personal take on the film. Vishnu, who plays the titular role, later posted a screenshot of the message on social media, calling it a 'dream come true' moment.

Ram Gopal Varma, known for his unconventional style and outspoken views, admitted upfront that devotional themes aren't typically his area of interest. He wrote that he would "never ever see a film which deals with such subject matter" and recalled watching the original film during his college days primarily for the music and performances, not for its religious theme.

Despite this personal distance from the subject matter, Ram Gopal Varma shared that he was moved by Vishnu's performance, particularly in the film's climax where the character Thinna (Kannappa) offers his eyes to Lord Shiva. Describing the sequence, he remarked on the emotional intensity and sincerity Vishnu brought to the scene, even as someone generally unmoved by religious symbolism. "Your face in those moments was a canvas of anguish with a painting of reverence," Ram Gopal Varma noted.

Vishnu responded emotionally to Varma's message, saying it brought him to tears and that the film's journey had been one of the most challenging periods of his life, surrounded by doubt and criticism.

The message, however, featured several masked lines, leading to speculation online. Some users questioned why portions of the message, especially those seemingly related to actor Prabhas, were hidden. One comment read, "Why u masked the lines about Prabhas? After movie release your insecurity drama started?"

Mythological Drama Features Star-Studded Cast and Veteran Crew

Kannappa, directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, is based on the folklore of a hunter-turned-devotee of Shiva. Vishnu Manchu also served as the screenwriter, while the film was produced by his father, Mohan Babu, under the banners of Twenty Four Frames Factory and AVA Entertainment. The cast includes a wide ensemble featuring Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, and others. Music is composed by Stephen Devassy, with cinematography by Sheldon Chau and editing by Anthony Gonsalvez.

The film tells the story of Thinna, an atheist hunter who becomes a devout follower of Lord Shiva and ultimately makes a profound act of devotion. As the film continues its theatrical run, reactions like Ram Gopal Varma's add another layer of intrigue to the project's reception-especially given the notable names involved in the project.