Entertainment

Hari Hara Veera Mallu review: Pawan Kalyan powers a patchy epic built for the big screen

Hari Hara Veera Mallu is a high-energy historical drama anchored by Pawan Kalyan’s commanding performance and gripping action, but its uneven pacing and poor CGI hold it back.

Published

1 year ago

July 24, 2025

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After years in the making, Pawan Kalyan’s long-delayed period action film Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit has finally arrived in theatres. Directed jointly by Krish Jagarlamudi and Jyothi Krishna, the film attempts to blend history, rebellion, and spirituality with mass commercial appeal. While it delivers in parts — especially in its larger-than-life action — it struggles to maintain momentum throughout its runtime.

Storyline weaves intrigue but leaves too much for later

Set in the 17th century, the film traces the journey of Veera Mallu (Pawan Kalyan), a Robin Hood-like figure whose daring exploits catch the attention of the royal court. Assigned a mission to steal the legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond from the Mughal Empire, Veera’s path crosses with historical figures like Qutub Shah and Aurangzeb (played by Bobby Deol). As Veera journeys to Delhi with hidden motives, the film explores themes of loyalty, strategy, and personal loss.

Strengths lie in performance and action

Pawan Kalyan brings composure and depth to his role, striking a fine balance between spiritual gravitas and mass appeal. His screen presence is magnetic, especially in fight sequences and emotionally charged scenes. The action choreography is a standout, particularly scenes set at Machilipatnam port and Charminar, and a dramatic Kushti bout in Kollur.

Music director M. M. Keeravaani elevates the film’s emotional quotient with an evocative background score. The cinematography by Gnana Shekar V. S. and Manoj Paramahamsa gives a rich, historical texture to the visuals.

Flaws that hold back the grandeur

Despite a gripping first half, the narrative falters in the latter segment. Prolonged filler scenes and an absence of major confrontations weaken the pacing. Bobby Deol, while promising as the antagonist Aurangzeb, is given minimal screen time, with the real conflict saved for the sequel. Nidhhi Agerwal, who shines early on, is sidelined as the plot progresses.

Most notably, the film suffers from subpar CGI that breaks immersion during key visual moments, diminishing the impact of otherwise well-constructed sequences.

Final verdict

Hari Hara Veera Mallu succeeds in laying the foundation for a historical saga, powered by Pawan Kalyan’s performance and stylish action. However, it stumbles due to pacing issues and inconsistent visual quality. While not without its flaws, the film still offers a theatrical experience worth catching — especially for fans of large-scale period dramas and star-led action.

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Mushtaq Khan’s film career

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Mushtaq Khan dies at 56

The actor’s death was reported on September 24, 2026. Reports said Khan had been undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with liver cancer and had been hospitalised for around 15 days. Further details surrounding his death were awaited in the initial reports.

Mushtaq Khan was 56. IMDb lists his date of birth as December 31, 1969.

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Tabu returns as Meera Deshmukh

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Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj join the cast

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