After completing his studies at the Music College, Kannan started his career as a guitarist in 1988. Meanwhile, he also composed jingles for a number of advertisements. It was through this that he received his break into the movies. Making his debut in the Tamil industry, Kannan was associated with C. S. Amudhan's directorial debut, the full-length spoof, Thamizh Padam, following which he was associated with Karuppampatti, Kalkandu, Ponge Ezhu Manohara, Thilgar, and Tamizh Padam 2.