Power Star is Back — But Does He Slay or Just Swing the Sword Loudly?
What is Hari Hara Veera Mallu?
Let’s start from the beginning — Hari Hara Veera Mallu is a Telugu-language period action drama directed by Krish Jagarlamudi. With a backdrop set in the 17th century Mughal era, the movie aims to fuse historical fantasy, political resistance, and full-blown masala action.
It stars the one and only Pawan Kalyan as Veera Mallu, a heroic outlaw stealing from the Mughals, sticking it to the royals, and throwing dagger-eyes at the corrupt.
Think of it as Baahubali meets Robin Hood, but with a South Indian flavor and power star swag turned up to 11.
Pawan Kalyan’s Power-Play Performance
First Half Verdict
The opening act sets the tone: grandeur, revolution, and charisma overload. Pawan enters not just with a punch but a punchline — every movement drenched in slow-mo and BGM drops that’ll make even Gen Z rewind and replay.
There are sword fights, flaming arrows, and even a prison escape scene that’ll remind you of Assassin’s Creed (if it were directed by S. S. Rajamouli’s cousin).
Second Half Blues
But then comes the pacing issue. Somewhere around the intermission, the narrative hits a lull. Pawan remains magnetic, but the plot takes a backseat — trading emotional arcs for style-over-substance moments.
Nidhhi Agerwal (as Panchami) does a good job balancing elegance and resistance, but isn’t given enough screen time. Bobby Deol’s role as Aurangzeb feels undercooked — grand in appearance, bland in impact.
Action & Technical Brilliance
Choreography & Fight Design
There’s no shortage of slow-motion swordplay, mid-air flips, and fire-wielding entrances. Some action sequences are mind-blowingly choreographed — especially the dockyard fight, where Veera Mallu takes on 30 guards like it’s a TikTok dance challenge on steroids.
VFX: High Ambition, Mid Execution
VFX is… a mixed bag. Some scenes dazzle — like the Mughal fort siege — while others (like the ship battle) feel unfinished. You might find yourself saying, “That CGI tiger looks like it’s still loading.”
Still, for a regional epic, the technical ambition deserves applause.
Does It Speak Gen Z?
Here’s the fun part — how does this epic land with a meme-loving, short-form content-consuming, MCU-hardened Gen Z?
Social Media Sentiment
X/Twitter:
“Pawan Kalyan can still own the screen with a stare 🔥. But man, give Bobby Deol more lines!”
“Loved the BGM. Didn’t love the pacing 😴. First half 8/10. Second half… uh.”
“If this drops on OTT, I’ll rewatch only the entry scene and that sword fight.”
Memes Incoming
- Sword stunts = meme gold.
- Bobby Deol’s intro = “When your boss joins the Zoom late.”
- Political analogies = subtle but there if you know, you know.
Watch It For… / Skip It If…
| ✅ Watch It If | ❌ Skip It If |
|---|---|
| You love massy, heroic action epics | You want tight editing and logical pacing |
| You’re a diehard Pawan Kalyan fan | You expect depth over dazzle |
| You miss the grandeur of pre-OTT cinema | You’re tired of style-over-substance Telugu films |
OTT, Sequel Talk & Box Office Buzz
OTT Rights: Acquired by Amazon Prime Video (expected to stream in 6–8 weeks post-theatrical run).
Box Office: Early estimates suggest ₹20–25 Cr opening day — strong mass pull.
Sequel? The ending is ambiguous, with hints toward a larger rebellion. Feels like “Part 1” was just the setup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is Hari Hara Veera Mallu worth watching?
Yes — if you’re into action-packed dramas and fan-driven films.
Q2: What’s the best scene in the movie?
Pawan’s prison break & the dockyard fight steal the show.
Q3: Is it historically accurate?
Loosely inspired by Mughal-era events, but mostly fictionalized.
Q4: When will it stream on OTT?
Expected to stream on Amazon Prime by late August or early September 2025.
Q5: Is there a sequel planned?
A sequel hasn’t been announced officially, but the movie hints at a continuation.
