Pawan Kalyan makes his debut in the historical genre with the folk-themed Hari Hara Veera Mallu. The film was initially directed by Krish but was later completed by Jyothi Krishna, the producer’s son, after the shoot was delayed for nearly five years. Produced by A.M. Rathnam with a lot of risk, the film’s success is crucial. So, has Hari Hara Veera Mallu lived up to the expectations and delivered commercial success? Has Rathnam tasted success as a producer? Let’s find out!
Hari Hara Veera Mallu Story: Hari Hara Veera Mallu (Pawan Kalyan) is portrayed as a 16th-century Robin Hood who robs from the rich and helps the poor. He is entrusted with the mission of stealing diamonds from the Mughal army’s Chinna Dora (Sachin Khedekar). During this mission, he meets Panchami (Nidhhi Agerwal), who not only wants the diamonds but also seeks her freedom from Chinna Dora’s captivity. As events unfold, an unexpected twist arises. The Emperor of Hyderabad captures Veera Mallu and tasks him with retrieving the prestigious Kohinoor diamond from the Red Fort in Delhi, which is under Aurangzeb’s control. What challenges does Veera Mallu face on his journey to Delhi? How does he overcome them? It is the basic story.
Performances: Pawan Kalyan plays a folk hero for the first time, with a Telangana backdrop. His action scenes have his signature flair, especially the tiger and fox sequences which elevate the heroism. The ‘Chowkidana’ fight scene, choreographed by Pawan himself, stands out for its realism. However, his look changes frequently throughout the film, and despite Jyothi Krishna adding title cards like “a few days later” and “a few months later” to explain it, the lack of continuity is obvious.
Nidhhi Agerwal impresses with her screen presence. The twist in her character works well, though there’s limited romantic chemistry with Pawan — likely a conscious choice given his current political image. Her five-year commitment to the film pays off.
Bobby Deol looks perfect as Aurangzeb. His intense screen presence adds depth, though it’s disappointing that he doesn’t share any scenes with Pawan Kalyan, something that seems saved for the sequel. Supporting actors like Raghubabu, Nasser, Sunil, and Subbaraju are decent, while Kabir Duhan Singh and Ayyappa Sharma help add pace to the screenplay.
Technical Aspects: Pawan Kalyan called MM Keeravani the “oxygen” of the film, and rightly so. Keeravani’s background score enhances the mood and elevates many scenes. He single-handedly saves large parts of the film with his music. Cinematography is inconsistent. Since the film had two cinematographers, it’s hard to pinpoint who did what. The camera work in the second half, however, is poor.
The biggest letdown is the CG work, which is shockingly bad for a star hero film. Scenes involving horses and the windstorm in the climax look cheap and poorly rendered, perhaps the worst VFX seen in recent Telugu cinema. Thota Tharani’s production design is decent, and most sets are well managed despite the limitations. The film was largely completed with minimal set work.
Analysis: Watching the film with no expectations makes the first half feel impressive. The interval bang especially gives you the sense that “Pawan Kalyan has a sure-shot hit.” But the second half, though it starts decently, gradually loses grip. The story turns flat, the emotional drama weakens, and the poor VFX becomes increasingly frustrating.
Krish’s influence is clearly felt in the well-crafted first half. However, by the second half, the film begins to lose steam. While the core storyline is strong, Jyothi Krishna’s execution of the second half is a major drawback. The cliffhanger moment that should have been the film’s highlight is treated too casually. Overall, the momentum built in the first half doesn’t carry into the second.
Verdict: Overall, if Hari Hara Veera Mallu manages to earn a hit status, it will solely be due to Pawan Kalyan’s star power. Even fans of Pawan Kalyan might feel the film should not have been released in this form. However, Hari Hara Veera Mallu will always be remembered for creating buzz and pulling strong openings despite all odds.
Focus Point: Only for Pawan Kalyan
Hari Hara Veera Mallu Rating: 2.5/5
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