Hari Hara Veera Mallu Premiere: Pawan Kalyan’s Star Power Meets Mixed Reactions
July 24, 2025 — The wait is over, and “Hari Hara Veera Mallu” has finally hit the big screen. But spoiler alert: the film’s grand ambitions have landed in a mixed bag of praise and disappointment.
The Good Stuff:
- Pawan Kalyan’s Magnetic Presence: Across the board, critics and fans agree — Pawan Kalyan commands the screen. His portrayal of Veera Mallu packs punch, especially in electrifying action sequences like the Machilipatnam port fight and the epic Kushti showdown.
- Action and Scale: When the fists fly, the film impresses. Lavish sets and high-octane battles, especially the massive Charminar fight, are major crowd-pleasers.
- M.M. Keeravani’s Music: The composer delivers an atmospheric score that lifts emotional beats and intensifies dramatic moments.
- First Half Momentum: Reviewers found the first half engaging, well-paced, and effective at setting up the story.
Where It Falters:
- VFX Woes: The biggest buzzkill. Reviews are unanimous in calling out the visual effects as “shockingly poor,” “disastrous,” and “outdated.” In an era post-‘Baahubali,’ expectations were sky-high — and the CGI missed the mark badly.
- Messy Screenplay: Critics slam the narrative as “disjointed” and “senseless” in parts. The second half drags, weighed down by filler scenes and lost momentum.
- Underused Cast: Nidhhi Agerwal’s Panchami and Bobby Deol’s Aurangzeb don’t get enough screen time or development, frustrating viewers hoping for more meat.
- No Big Hero-Villain Clash: Fans expecting a face-off between Pawan Kalyan and Bobby Deol have to wait, as the film sets things up for a sequel.
- Direction and Acting Quirks: Some call the direction “old-fashioned,” and a few feel Pawan Kalyan’s romantic scenes miss the mark with awkward delivery.
Critical Scores:
- India Today: 2/5 — “Pawan Kalyan’s star power can’t save this scattered epic.”
- Cinema Express: 1.5/5 — “A star-studded spectacle that lacks narrative clarity.”
- 123Telugu: More positive — calling it a “decent cinematic experience” that lays groundwork for future chapters.
- Mint: Labels it “mediocre” with “uninspired storytelling and embarrassingly poor VFX.”
Audience Reaction:
Early fan reactions on social media have been enthusiastic, some giving near-perfect ratings and praising the scale and performances. But the broader consensus seems cautious, with many waiting for the next installment to truly judge the story’s payoff.
“Hari Hara Veera Mallu” is a visually ambitious and action-packed historical epic buoyed by Pawan Kalyan’s charisma and M.M. Keeravani’s score. However, its impact is undercut by lackluster VFX, a meandering second half, and underdeveloped characters. It’s a solid first chapter that promises more — but the full saga will have to deliver.