Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Mythri steps in for Nizam distribution

With just days to go before its scheduled release on July 24, 2025, Pawan Kalyan’s much-anticipated period action drama “Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs. Spirit” continues to grapple with significant distribution challenges, particularly in the crucial Nizam region. However, in a last-minute development, Mythri Movie Makers has stepped in to handle the film’s theatrical release in Telangana, offering a glimmer of hope for a smoother rollout.

The film, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A.M. Jyothi Krishna, has faced a tumultuous journey since its announcement in January 2020. Production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pawan Kalyan’s political commitments, and financial complications have repeatedly pushed back the release.

As the July 24 date approaches, the film’s theatrical business remains unresolved in several regions, with the Nizam territory—a key market for Telugu cinema—posing the biggest challenge.

Hurdles and problem solving

Producer A.M. Ratnam, under his Mega Surya Production banner, has been seeking a non-refundable advance (NRA) of Rs 60 crore for the Nizam rights, a figure deemed steep by major distributors like Sri Venkateswara Creations (SVC) and Mythri Movie Makers, who offered between Rs 35-45 crore. Initial reports suggested Ratnam was considering an own-release strategy through a lesser-known distributor, Crown Movies, a move industry insiders labeled as a “huge risk” due to potential financial uncertainties and lack of exhibitor confidence.

However, recent developments confirm that Mythri Movie Makers, a leading production and distribution house in Telugu cinema, has secured the Nizam distribution rights, alleviating some concerns.

Sources indicate that Mythri’s involvement stems from their ongoing collaboration with Pawan Kalyan on his upcoming film Ustaad Bhagat Singh, making them a strategic partner to ensure the film’s release. The exact financial terms remain undisclosed, but the move is seen as a significant relief for Ratnam, who has faced challenges in closing deals due to past financial dues, including a reported Rs 1.5 crore owed to Mythri from another project.

Low hype

Despite Mythri’s intervention, the film’s business in other regions remains open, with exhibitors hesitant to commit large advances due to Ratnam’s limited track record as a regular producer. The lack of pre-release buzz compared to Kalyan’s other project, OG, has also dampened distributor confidence.

To counter this, the team is ramping up promotions, with a grand pre-release event planned for July 20, expected to feature Pawan Kalyan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and industry heavyweights like S.S. Rajamouli and Trivikram Srinivas. The film, set in the 17th-century Mughal era, stars Pawan Kalyan as the titular outlaw tasked with stealing the Koh-i-Noor diamond, alongside Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, and others. It has cleared censor formalities with a U/A certificate and received positive feedback for its VFX and M.M. Keeravani’s score. However, skepticism persists among fans and industry insiders about the film meeting its release date, given its history of postponements and ongoing financial hurdles.