Hari Hara Veera Mallu mixed reviews mark Pawan Kalyan’s epic return

The much-anticipated “Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit,” starring Pawan Kalyan, made a massive impact at the box office on its opening day. Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A.M. Jyothi Krishna, the film opened to packed houses and fanfare, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics and general audiences.

Set in the 17th-century Mughal era, the grand production blends history, mythology, and high-octane action, backed by Pawan Kalyan’s magnetic screen presence.

Massive opening

Early projections suggest it could surpass Rs 20 crore by the end of the night. Globally, the film is expected to cross Rs 60 crore in total gross, bolstered by strong advance bookings that touched Rs 45 crore worldwide—Rs 30 crore in India and Rs 15 crore overseas. In North America alone, over 18,000 tickets were sold for premiere shows, grossing around Rs 4.5 crore.

Theatres in cities like Vijayawada reported houseful screenings, as fans turned up in droves, donning custom-made shirts and waving banners in celebration. The film also secured the second-highest advance ticket sales for a Telugu film, trailing only Pushpa 2: The Rule.

Trade experts believe the film could surpass Pawan Kalyan’s previous best opener, Vakeel Saab (Rs 40.1 crore net), with current estimates placing Hari Hara Veera Mallu’s opening between Rs 40 to 46 crore net in India. The film’s massive debut also underscores the impact of Pawan Kalyan’s political resurgence as Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister.

Mixed reviews, trolling for visual effects

While fans have lauded the film, critical response has been divided. Audiences praised Pawan Kalyan’s powerful performance, M.M. Keeravani’s rousing background score, and the adrenaline-pumping action sequences choreographed by Nick Powell, Ram-Laxman, and Peter Hein.

However, critics and neutral viewers raised concerns about the film’s second half, pointing out inconsistent pacing, subpar visual effects, and emotional flatness in key moments.

Despite the flaws, the first half—especially the pre-interval sequences and large-scale action episodes—received praise for their cinematic appeal and scale. The plot, centered on Veera Mallu’s mission to steal the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the Mughals to liberate a city, has resonated with fans for its anti-imperial undertones and heroic arc.

The film features an ensemble cast, including Bobby Deol as Aurangzeb, Nidhhi Agerwal as Panchami, with key supporting roles played by Nargis Fakhri, Nora Fatehi, and Sathyaraj. While Pawan Kalyan’s performance has been widely appreciated, several reviews noted that Bobby Deol’s character felt underutilized, and Nidhhi Agerwal’s role lacked narrative depth despite a surprise twist.

Technically, the film has received mixed feedback. The cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and Gnana Shekar V.S. effectively captured the grandeur of the era. M.M. Keeravani’s background score has been a standout, although the songs themselves didn’t leave a lasting impact. The visual effects, led by Ben Lock, were criticized for inconsistencies, particularly in the latter half of the film.

Despite its mixed critical reception, “Hari Hara Veera Mallu” is undeniably a celebration of Pawan Kalyan’s star power, backed by lavish production values and a compelling historical backdrop. With Part 2 – Battlefield already in development, the saga of Veera Mallu has only just begun.