Hari Hara Veera Mallu Movie Review: Pawan Kalyan's Historical Epic Divides Critics

"Hari Hara Veera Mallu," starring Pawan Kalyan, has generated significant buzz following its release on July 24, 2025, being his first straight film in years and his film after becoming Deputy CM. Set against the backdrop of 17th-century Mughal India, the film follows Veera Mallu, a legendary thief enlisted to steal the Kohinoor diamond from the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb (played by Bobby Deol), amidst efforts to protect Sanatana Dharma.

The film has drawn mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike in recent hours. Telugu360 rated it 2/5, pointing out that despite Pawan Kalyan's star power and the rich historical setting, the movie fails to fully deliver on its promise. Issues highlighted include production delays, a mid-production directorial change from Krish to Jyothi Krishna, and a story that while ambitious, struggles with execution. The narrative revolves around Veera Mallu’s daring heist mission and resistance against Aurangzeb’s oppressive regime, but ultimately is considered more of a fan-service vehicle than a satisfying historical drama.

Moneycontrol gave a more measured rating of 3.25/5, praising Pawan Kalyan's compelling screen presence and the film's ambitious scope. However, it criticized the lack of character development beyond the protagonist, uneven pacing, subpar CGI effects, and an incomplete story arc that strongly signals this film as merely the first part of a larger saga. The direction by Krish Jagarlamudi offers strong initial vision, but the handover to Jyothi Krishna resulted in some tonal inconsistencies. The action choreography and soundtrack were noted as strong points, creating excitement and setting the stage for potential sequels.

The Times of India highlighted the film as a "larger-than-life experience" blending action, emotion, and mythology, with technical brilliance in cinematography and choreography contributing to a visually grand spectacle. It emphasized the film’s message of courage and resistance and praised the ensemble cast, including Nidhhi Agerwal as the love interest and other supporting actors who add narrative depth.

On the other hand, some public reactions describe the movie as a disappointment relative to the high expectations for Pawan Kalyan’s comeback and the film’s production scale. Concerns include underdeveloped characters besides Pawan Kalyan’s role and a cliffhanger ending that leaves the story feeling incomplete.

In summary, "Hari Hara Veera Mallu" is a bold historical action drama that excels in moments of spectacle and lead performance, yet falters in delivering a cohesive and complete narrative. Fans of Pawan Kalyan and period epics may find it worth watching for its ambition and the promise of a continuing saga, while others might be left wanting more depth and resolution.