Pawan Kalyan returns as a legendary outlaw in Hari Hara Veera Mallu. With strong music and star appeal, the film starts strong but falters in the second half due to weak VFX and pacing. Read the full Telangana and Andhra Pradesh review.
Hari Hara Veera Mallu Review: Pawan Kalyan Shines in a Visually Uneven Period Epic
Overview
Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A. M. Jyothi Krishna, this 17th-century period adventure features Pawan Kalyan as outlaw-hero Veera Mallu tasked with stealing the Koh‑i‑Noor from Aurangzeb’s court. After several postponements, it finally hit theatres on July 24, 2025.
What Works
1. Pawan Kalyan’s Charisma
Power-star powers the film with his screen presence. Performances in action scenes and dramatic moments resonate, making him the central force audiences latch onto.
2. Energetic Action Blocks
Choreographed by Ram & Lakshman, several action setpieces—especially in the first half—deliver punchy intensity and momentum (123Telugu).
3. MM Keeravani’s Score
The background score and songs are lauded across social platforms:
“Good story, terrific ideas, superb music by Keeravaani”
What Misses the Mark
Weak & Patchy VFX
While the ambition is grand, the execution falters. The second half suffers from overuse of green screens and amateurish CGI—ouch for visually cinephiles.
Uneven Screenplay & Pacing
Critics note the tone is inconsistent—a mix of heist, rebellion, and epic history that never fully gels. The second half is sluggish, lacking narrative cohesion.
Underutilization of Supporting Cast
Bobby Deol appears promising as Aurangzeb but gets limited scope. Nidhhi Agerwal and others remain underwritten, which reduces the emotional stakes.
Reception in Telangana & Andhra
- Box‑office buzz: Advance bookings surged (
₹12.5 Cr worldwide), especially in AP–TS, and early collections (₹8.7 Cr) show strong audience turnout . - Fan reactions: Mixed—some hail it as a visual spectacle and “festival” moment for Pawan Kalyan’s return; others criticize the CGI, pacing, lip‑sync, and dialogue execution.
- For fans of Pawan Kalyan: A welcome return with enough charisma and mass-entertainment moments to satisfy loyalists.
- For general viewers: An ambitious epic that shines early but drops momentum later. Worth a watch for music and hero scenes, but prepare for technical and narrative weak spots.
- Cultural context: Resonates regionally through heroic Telugu iconography, though it stops short of being a pan-Indian breakthrough.
- 123Telugu: 3/5 – “passable period drama with mass appeal” (123Telugu)
- India Today: Mixed – engages intermittently, fails to hold as a cohesive epic
- Indian Express tweets: Largely disappointed by VFX and execution despite Pawan’s effort
Hari Hara Veera Mallu delivers a spectacular first half, driven by Pawan Kalyan’s star power, action-packed drama, and Keeravani’s stirring score. However, its sluggish second half, inconsistent visual effects, and underdeveloped storyline prevent it from becoming a full-fledged epic.
- Watch it for the hero worship, songs/bgm, and heritage swagger.
- Skip it if you’re expecting a solid, tightly woven historical adventure from start to finish.