'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' X reviews out. Disappointed netizens pan Pawan Kalyan's magnum opus for 'disastrous dialogue, senseless screenplay'

Time of India

5 days ago

After enduring several years of production delays and uncertainty,
Hari Hara Veera Mallu
: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit has finally arrived on the big screen. A film many had assumed was permanently stalled has re-emerged as a significant cinematic release, generating considerable curiosity and anticipation. This long-delayed
historical action drama
, led by
Pawan Kalyan
, has now reached theatres across the globe, inviting audiences into its grand, fictionalized 17th-century world.
The buzz surrounding the project was modest in its early days. However, it experienced a dramatic surge following Pawan Kalyan's passionate remarks during pre-release events and media interactions. His intense delivery and charismatic presence sparked renewed interest, creating an atmosphere of excitement just before the movie's release. Now that the film is screening worldwide, it has become a talking point online, especially on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where early viewers have begun to share their opinions.
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Social Media Buzz: Applause and Disappointment
Reactions from early viewers have been varied, with some appreciating the film's grandeur and action, while others were let down by its execution. One user posted an in-depth breakdown, noting that the opening half establishes a solid foundation, with Pawan Kalyan's powerful entrance and dramatic action sequences drawing loud applause. The period setting, historical backdrop, and visual flair were seen as engaging elements.
Bobby Deol
's character was introduced with strong impact, adding further weight to the narrative.
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The latter half, according to this viewer, shifts gears into more emotional territory, presenting dramatic confrontations and highlighting ideological clashes between liberty and oppression. Bobby Deol's commanding screen presence stood out in several scenes, giving the second half a sharper dramatic edge.
— BURN4DESIRE1 (@BURN4DESIRE1)
Yet, this praise wasn't universal. Other users expressed disappointment. One viewer criticized the screenplay for lacking structure and coherence. They felt the first half dragged with soap-opera pacing and missed opportunities in its action choreography, even though the interval block managed to elevate the tension slightly.
Another wrote, "Disastrous dialogues, awkward acting, senseless screenplay, directionless direction, passionless Pawan Kalyan."
— Murali4Tarak (@Murali4Tarak)
Another viewer highlighted the Kusthi fight sequence as a standout moment, claiming it ranks among the most impressive fight scenes in
Telugu cinema
. However, they too mentioned that despite certain high points, the overall narrative failed to deliver a consistent impact.
Several critical reviews were more scathing. A few users pointed out flaws in acting, dialogue writing, and technical execution. Pawan Kalyan's performance, in particular, was seen by some as over-the-top and strained. The film's screenplay was called incoherent and lacking direction. One post lamented that
Nidhhi Agerwal
's commendable effort went largely unnoticed due to weak storytelling and that the film, despite having all the ingredients for success, simply didn't live up to its potential. Only
M.M. Keeravani
's musical score, especially his background music, received consistent appreciation across reviews.
— HanuNews (@HanuNews)
— Chandan_radoo (@Chandan_radoo)
Critics also took aim at the outdated direction style and acting performances that felt more fitting for an earlier era of cinema. The attempts to portray Pawan Kalyan as a larger-than-life savior figure didn't resonate with some, who found the themes forced and ineffective. The movie, they argued, had potential on paper but faltered during execution.
The Story Behind the Screen
Hari Hara Veera Mallu is a historical action saga set in the 1650s. Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and co-written by Sai Madhav Burra, the film presents the adventurous tale of Veera Mallu, a mythical outlaw with a noble heart. Pawan Kalyan plays the central role, supported by Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nargis Fakhri, Nora Fatehi, and Sathyaraj.
The film introduces Veera as a rebel with a cause, who captures the attention of the King of Kollur. He cleverly escapes with a woman named Panchami, which leads to another twist—Qutub Shah, impressed by Veera's ingenuity, entrusts him with a dangerous mission: to retrieve the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond, currently in the possession of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi. But Veera's journey is not just about treasure—hidden motivations and old secrets lie at the heart of the tale. As the film unfolds, questions about Panchami's identity, Veera's true intentions, and his history with Aurangzeb gradually come to light.
With an ambitious scale, lavish sets, and a rich fictional backdrop, Hari Hara Veera Mallu aimed to deliver a grand cinematic spectacle. However, despite moments of brilliance and a powerful score by Keeravani, it has evoked mixed emotions from its viewers. Whether it will win over a larger audience in the coming days remains to be seen.
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