After years of delays, false promises, and more CGI work than a Marvel movie, Pawan Kalyan’s Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit has finally graced our screens on July 24, 2025.
And boy, what a wild ride it’s been! From a thief with Robin Hood aspirations to stealing the Koh-i-Noor diamond (because apparently regular jewelry heists are too mainstream), this period drama has everything – and we mean everything.
The Plot: When History Meets Bollywood Logic
Set in the 17th century, our hero Veera Mallu (Pawan Kalyan) is basically the desi version of Danny Ocean, except instead of robbing casinos, he’s tasked with stealing the legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond from none other than Aurangzeb (Bobby Deol).
The story kicks off when the King of Kollur gets so impressed by Veera’s thieving skills that he essentially says, “Hey, why don’t you go steal from the most powerful emperor in the subcontinent? What could go wrong?”.
Accompanied by Panchami (Nidhhi Agerwal), Veera embarks on this mission that’s part heist movie, part historical drama, and part “let’s see how many action sequences we can fit in 161 minutes”.
| Movie Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit |
| Release Date | July 24, 2025 |
| Runtime | 161 minutes (2 hours 43 minutes) |
| Budget | ₹250 crore |
| Directors | Krish Jagarlamudi & A.M. Jyothi Krishna |
| Music | M.M. Keeravani |
Cast Performance: The Good, The Bad, and The Bobby Deol
Pawan Kalyan: The Undisputed King
Pawan Kalyan delivers what critics are calling one of his finest performances. Even when the script goes completely haywire (which it does, frequently), Kalyan’s screen presence keeps you glued to your seat.
His action sequences are stellar, his emotional moments hit the right notes, and his dialogue delivery about dharma and justice will give you goosebumps.
However, there’s one tiny problem – his dubbing. Multiple reviewers have pointed out that Kalyan’s voice dubbing feels awkward and completely off, which is honestly shocking for a star of his caliber.
It’s like watching a perfectly choreographed dance with mismatched music.
Bobby Deol: The Menacing Mughal
Bobby Deol as Aurangzeb brings the right amount of menace to the role, though his screen time is disappointingly limited. When he’s on screen, you can feel the tension, but you’re left wanting more of his villainous presence.
Nidhhi Agerwal: The Diminishing Returns
Nidhhi Agerwal starts strong as Panchami but gradually loses importance as the story progresses. It’s like the directors forgot she existed halfway through the movie.
Action Sequences: The Real Heroes of the Movie
Let’s be honest – you’re not watching this movie for its nuanced character development. You’re here for the high-octane action, and boy, does it deliver! The action choreography by Nick Powell, Ram-Laxman, and Peter Hein is absolutely spectacular1.
Top Action Sequences That’ll Make You Go “Woah!”
| Action Scene | Location | Why It’s Awesome |
|---|---|---|
| Port Fight | Machilipatnam | Large-scale combat with impressive choreography |
| Wrestling Match | Kollur | Traditional kushti with modern cinematography |
| Charminar Chase | Hyderabad | High-speed pursuit through historical monuments |
| Chowki Thana Battle | Village | Emotional depth combined with powerful action |
The introduction fight sequence immediately establishes Veera as a force to be reckoned with, while the wrestling fight (kushti) stands out for its traditional appeal mixed with cinematic grandeur.
The Comedy (Unintentional and Otherwise)
While Hari Hara Veera Mallu isn’t marketed as a comedy, it provides plenty of laughs – some intentional, many not so much.
Intentionally Funny Moments:
- Veera’s witty one-liners during action sequences
- The cultural clash between different characters
- Some well-timed comic relief scenes
Unintentionally Hilarious Aspects:
- The CGI disasters: The second half looks like it was shot entirely on green screen with VFX that would make a 2000s TV serial proud
- Costume changes: Pawan Kalyan’s look changes so frequently, you’d think he has a magical wardrobe
- The “storm” climax: The ending is so dragged out just to justify the word “aandhi” (storm) that you’ll question the meaning of life
Box Office Performance: The Numbers Game
Day 1 Collection
| Territory | Collection |
|---|---|
| India Net | ₹7.43 crore |
| Advance Booking | ₹30+ crore worldwide |
| Telugu States | ₹7 crore |
| Overseas | ₹10 crore |
The movie needs to earn ₹225 crore+ worldwide to break even, which is 39.84% more than Pawan Kalyan’s highest grosser Bheemla Nayak (₹160.89 crore).
Pre-Release Business Breakdown
| Region | Business |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | ₹103.5 crore |
| Rest of India | ₹12.5 crore |
| Overseas | ₹10 crore |
| Total | ₹126 crore |
Technical Aspects: The Good, Bad, and Ugly
What Works:
- M.M. Keeravani’s Background Score: The maestro elevates even ordinary scenes with his powerful compositions
- Cinematography: Gnana Sekhar VS and Manoj Paramahamsa capture the period setting beautifully
- Production Design: The sets and costumes create an authentic 17th-century atmosphere
What Doesn’t Work:
- VFX Disaster: The visual effects are substandard, especially in the second half
- Editing Issues: The 161-minute runtime feels unnecessarily stretched
- Inconsistent Direction: You can clearly see where Krish’s direction ends and Jyothi Krishna’s begins
Audience and Critical Reception
Critics’ Verdict
| Publication | Rating | Key Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Moneycontrol | 3.25/5 | “Brave attempt at historical action drama” |
| Telugu360 | 2/5 | “Fictitious story with Sanatana Dharma motifs” |
| M9 News | 1.75/5 | “Epic Blunder” |
| 123Telugu | Decent | “Anchored by Pawan Kalyan’s performance” |
Fan Reactions: The Roller Coaster
Early Reviews on Social Media:
- “#HariHaraVeeraMallu Strictly Mediocre 1st half somewhat tolerable, second half completely falls apart”
- “A lot of hearts gone into this, hoping for a powerful blockbuster!” – Varun Tej Konidela
- Even Chandrababu Naidu chimed in with his best wishes, because apparently even Chief Ministers are film critics now
The Funniest Observations from Reviews
The “Green Screen Galore”
Critics noted that the entire second half looks like it was shot on green mat. It’s so obvious that you half expect to see the edges of the green screen in the corner of the frame.
The Dubbing Disaster
Multiple reviewers mentioned Pawan Kalyan’s awkward dubbing. It’s like watching a perfectly synced dance where suddenly the music changes to a different song entirely.
The Never-Ending Climax
The climax is so unnecessarily stretched that reviewers questioned if it was really necessary to have such a “dragged-out sequence just to give justification for ‘aandhi’ (storm)”.
What Makes It Worth Watching (Despite Everything)
Pawan Kalyan’s Screen Presence
Even with all its flaws, Pawan Kalyan’s charismatic performance makes the movie watchable. His action sequences are genuinely exciting, and his emotional moments resonate with the audience.
Historical Setting
The 17th-century Mughal era backdrop provides a fresh canvas for Telugu cinema. It’s not often we see period dramas attempting such ambitious storytelling.
Action Choreography
When the action sequences work, they really work. The fight scenes are well-choreographed and provide genuine thrills.
The Verdict: A Mixed Bag of Epic Proportions
Hari Hara Veera Mallu is like that friend who has great ideas but terrible execution.
It’s ambitious, visually grand (when the VFX works), and features a powerhouse performance by Pawan Kalyan. However, it’s also plagued by inconsistent direction, poor visual effects, and a second half that feels like a completely different movie.
Final Rating Breakdown
| Aspect | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Story | 3/5 | Interesting premise, poor execution |
| Acting | 4/5 | Pawan Kalyan carries the film |
| Action | 4.5/5 | Spectacular when it works |
| VFX | 2/5 | Disappointing for a ₹250 crore film |
| Music | 4/5 | M.M. Keeravani saves the day |
| Overall | 3/5 | Watch it for Pawan Kalyan and action |
Should You Watch It?
YES, if you’re:
- A Pawan Kalyan fan (obviously)
- Someone who enjoys period action dramas
- Looking for spectacular action sequences
- Interested in seeing an ambitious Telugu film
NO, if you’re:
- Expecting a coherent, well-paced narrative
- Sensitive to poor VFX
- Looking for a complete story (remember, this is Part 1)
Hari Hara Veera Mallu is a film that swings for the fences and sometimes connects, sometimes strikes out spectacularly. It’s worth watching for Pawan Kalyan’s performance and the action sequences, but don’t expect a masterpiece.
Think of it as an expensive, entertaining mess that sets up what could be a much better sequel.
The movie proves that sometimes, star power can overcome script weaknesses, but it can’t fix everything. With Part 2 already in the works, here’s hoping the makers learn from the mistakes of Part 1 and deliver the epic saga that fans truly deserve.
