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India Today
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Hari Hara Veera Mallu review: Pawan Kalyan's star power can't save scattered epic
What hurts more than a film failing is when a film with strong ideas stumbles under the weight of generic, dull scenes that don't match the scale or ambition of the concept. In Indian cinema, most historical dramas tend to focus on royal wars or intense love stories rooted in tradition and belief systems. But there's another genre that's rarely explored: the historical Kalyan's 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' is a bold attempt to explore that space. It starts with the promise of an exciting story: a thief with secret motives is hired to steal the Koh-i-Noor from Aurangzeb's palace. He is joined by a crew of misfits, each talented in their own way. On paper, it's a great setup for an the film adds another layer. It also tries to be a story of resistance, a fight against Aurangzeb's rule and the oppression of Hindus. This shifts the tone towards a drama hinging on people's rebellion, making the hero more than just a thief. There's also a third angle. The film blends fiction with real historical figures. Like 'RRR' or 'Inglourious Basterds', it plays with alternate history. So now we have a heist story, a rebellion, and a fictional take on real events - all in one film! Each idea works on its own. But 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' struggles to tie them together in a smooth, balanced way. The film shifts the tone too often, and the story never fully commits to one clear direction. There's no question about the ambition behind it. With a star like Pawan Kalyan, a rich period setting, and a genre that offers a lot of potential, this could have been a unique and entertaining experience. Instead, the film gives us a few strong moments but doesn't hold together as a whole. Set in the 1650s, the story follows Veera Mallu (Pawan Kalyan), a Robin Hood-like outlaw drawn into a web of politics, resistance, and legend. Initially recruited by the King of Kollur, Veera escapes with Panchami (Nidhhi Agerwal) and impresses Qutub Shah (Dalip Tahil), who entrusts him with a greater task: steal the Koh-i-Noor from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (Bobby Deol). But this isn't just about the diamond. Beneath the mission lies a personal journey, marked by buried secrets and emotional film opens with grandeur. The sets in the first half, particularly the palace interiors and the bustling Kollur town, are rich in texture and detail. The Machilipatnam port fight and the Charminar chase are staged with flair, and Pawan Kalyan brings his signature gravitas to the role. His presence is the glue holding everything together. Every scene he walks into gets a little more watchable. Even in moments where the script fumbles, he powers through with MM Keeravani's score complements this world well, though not every stretch lands musically. Some cues feel old-school, but when it works, especially during action set pieces and emotional peaks, the music elevates the action choreography is among the film's biggest assets. The first half features standout sequences: the Machilipatnam port fight and the Charminar battle, to be particular. Each is executed with scale and flair. The second half includes a compelling action block in a Mughal-ruled village, which stands out for its raw intensity. These sequences are uplifted by the energy of the stunts, Pawan Kalyan's involvement, and a sense of cinematic here's where the problems begin: tonal inconsistency. High moments are abruptly undercut by misplaced humour. A scene where Veera converses with wolves could've added mystique but is instead played for laughs. His team of misfits, featuring actors like Nasser and Subbaraju, have the potential to shine but are reduced to mere fillers. You're reminded of Kamal Haasan's squad in 'Vikram', and how underwritten this ensemble feels in comparison. They just exist, without a single standout oscillate between massy and meaningful, but even powerful lines get diluted by awkward editing and staging. A standout line by Sathyaraj comparing the sea approaching land to destruction deserved a better moment than the one it got. The comedy sequences and punchlines feel dated, and their timing often derails the scene's emotional weight. The film's second half is where the energy truly dips. With much of the narrative held back for the sequel, the makers insert filler scenes that test the viewer's patience. These segments, though passable in isolation, feel stretched and repetitive. Several scenes feel like climaxes, creating a sense of VFX is undoubtedly the biggest letdown of the film. For a film this ambitious, several key scenes, including the hilltop confrontation, suffer from subpar CGI. Scenes feel unfinished or patched together. It's clear the film has gone through production hurdles, and that shows in the uneven editing and occasional abrupt cuts. Some portions feel like they lacked footage, while others were oddly there are sparks. Bobby Deol makes a strong impression in his brief moments, bringing menace and intensity. Nidhhi Agerwal delivers her part with grace, though she fades into the background in the second half. Sathyaraj adds gravitas, but his character arc feels underdeveloped. Supporting actors like Sunil, Kabir Duhan Singh, and Raghu Babu serve their roles effectively but don't leave a lasting cinematography by Gnana Sekhar VS and Manoj Paramahamsa adds richness to the film's period setting. Director Krish Jagarlamudi's vision is evident throughout the portions he helmed. His historical detailing and narrative style lend depth to the film. Jyothi Krishna, who took over the reins from Krish, completed the film's remaining portions and handles them decently, but the tonal shift and change of vision is noticeable.'Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1' is a film full of ideas, ambition, and star power, but its execution doesn't quite rise to match them. It sets the stage, offers glimpses of what could be an epic, but stumbles too often to leave a lasting impact. What it needed was tighter writing, better tonal control, and sharper visual storytelling.- Ends2 out of 5 for 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1'.
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: Nationwide, The Story of Gaelic Football and Inglourious Basterds
Nationwide RTÉ One, 7pm The first edition of the show's Summer Holiday series explores Co Waterford's stunning Copper Coast, named after the mines that operated in the area during the 19th century. Presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh meets some intriguing locals while travelling along the 25km coastal route, including an environmental artist and a seaweed forager. An Ghig Mhór RTÉ One, 8pm Hip hop duo Tebi Rex help rising band Na hEasógaí — who perform a fusion of rock, traditional Irish and world music — organise a gig in Conamara. Hell for Leather: The Story of Gaelic Football RTÉ One, 9.35pm Cora Staunton, Jim McGuinness and Jack McCaffrey reveal how important the support of their local communities was in helping to drive forward their sporting careers. There's also a trip to Northern Ireland, where players past and present discuss how the game managed to survive during a century of strife. Inglourious Basterds TG4, 9.30pm Quentin Tarantino's wartime adventure stars Brad Pitt as the leader of a group of Jewish soldiers on a mission to kill as many Nazis as possible. Christoph Waltz co-stars in an Oscar-winning role. All The Sharks Netflix, streaming now If you're wondering, 'Why all the shark-related viewing of late?' Well, the simple answer is that we're currently in the run-up to July 14, which is Shark Awareness Day. This summer also happens to be the 50th anniversary of Jaws, so one should expect an inordinate level of shark-themed programming over the coming weeks. A lot of it, however, does seem somewhat at odds with itself. For instance, last week saw the release of Shark Whisperer, which featured a herd of conservationists expressing concern about people, like Instagrammer Ocean Ramsey, interfering with endangered sharks. Now, Netflix is proffering an almost oxymoronic competition show, where conservationists infiltrate the oceans to tick all the sharks off their assigned apex predator bingo cards. If you favour more traditional shark viewing — ie. without a nigh-dystopic gameshow element — Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory has landed on Disney+. Heads of State Prime Video, streaming now Have you ever considered a parallel universe where Idris Elba is the UK prime minister and John Cena is the US president? Well, now's your chance! For context, their 'special relationship' is under threat on account of their huge egos, but — once confronted with a common adversary — the pair must learn to rely on each other.
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
F1 The Movie surpasses box office milestone, races past 3 dozen Brad Pitt movies
F1 The Movie is proving to be a serious box office success. The Formula 1 drama, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski, has crossed the $100 million mark domestically. That's after opening on June 27 with $57 million, the biggest ever for an Apple Studios title, reported ScreenRant. US actor and producer Brad Pitt poses on the red carpet upon arrival for the European Premier of F1 The Movie, at Cineworld Leicester Square, central London, on June 23, 2025. (HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) As of this weekend, the film is expected to hit a domestic total of about $109 million, according to Deadline. It is the ninth release of 2025 to reach that milestone. Also read: The last thing we want right now is a sequel': Lewis Hamilton not aboard bandwagon for part 2 of Brad Pitt's F1 Brad Pitt's latest closes in on his all-time top 10 According to ScreenRant, with $109 million in ticket sales, F1 The Movie now ranks as Brad Pitt's 12th highest-grossing film at the US box office. It has already outperformed over three dozen major projects in his career, including Interview with the Vampire, Se7en and Moneyball. It's still climbing. At its current pace, F1 could soon overtake Inglourious Basterds, which made just over $120 million. Can F1 The Movie break into the Top 5? Here's what stands between F1 The Movie and Brad Pitt's best-performing domestic releases: #10: Inglourious Basterds – $120.8M #9: Ocean's Twelve – $125.5M #8: Benjamin Button – $127.5M #7: Troy – $133.3M #6: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood – $142.5M #5: Megamind – $148.4M F1 would need another $12 million to crack the top 10. That seems likely within the next two weeks. Breaking into the top five, however, means pulling in $40 million more. That's still possible, but it may take time. Competition ahead could slow momentum F1 The Movie dropped about 55 per cent in its second weekend. If it sees a similar dip in the coming weeks, it could add another $11 million by mid-July. That would secure its place in Pitt's top 10. Still, the race won't be easy. Several big titles are on the way-Jurassic World Rebirth, a new Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Any of them could edge F1 out of premium screens and impact its legs. Still a big win for Apple Studios Even if it doesn't break into Pitt's Top 5 box office grossers, F1 The Movie is a major success for Apple. With a production budget reportedly between $200 million and $300 million, it may not look wildly profitable at the box office alone. But Apple doesn't rely on theatrical revenue the way traditional studios do. Their strategy uses theatres to build buzz ahead of a movie's Apple TV+ release. On that front, F1 is already their biggest theatrical hit ever. Domestically, only Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon have made more. With strong word of mouth and Pitt's star power still pulling in audiences, F1 The Movie is on track to become one of Apple's biggest prestige wins to date. FAQs What is the budget of F1 The Movie? The film's production budget is estimated to be between $200 million and $300 million. Is F1 The Movie the most expensive movie ever made? No, several other blockbusters like Avatar: The Way of Water had higher production costs. What is the No. 1 box office movie right now? F1 The Movie is among the top earners in 2025, though not the global No. 1.
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Brad Pitt's top 10 films ranked by Rotten Tomatoes as fans 'speechless' at number 1
Brad Pitt's acting career has seen him star in almost 50 films, and now Rotten Tomatoes has ranked them all in order Brad Pitt, a titan in Hollywood and a household name, is synonymous with A-list status and one of the most distinguished faces in entertainment. So which of his silver screen appearances are considered the pinnacle of his career? Rotten Tomatoes has compiled a definitive ranking for film buffs. Utilising copious critiques from cinema-goers who inadvertently placed them, the films have been ordered from standout to less stellar. Now at 61 and with nearly half a century of films under his belt dating back to the late 1980s, Pitt has a plethora of performances that fans are keen to discuss. Rotten Tomatoes amalgamates these user reviews to conjure a cumulative score for each title, thereby curating Brad Pitt's comprehensive cinematic repertoire ranked from top-tier to lesser-known entries. To the anticipation of few, soaring to the top spot with an impressive 95% rating is '12 Years a Slave'. Debuted in 2013, this poignant piece showcases Pitt as an abolitionist amidst the zenith of America's slave era, cementing one of his most powerful portrayals, reports the Mirror US. A particular review from Rotten Tomatoes encapsulates the impact of the film: "This movie left me speechless. It's the kind of movie that is amazing in every way, but you never want to watch again. It's that effective with its emotional brutality. It doesn't shy away from the sheer horrors of American slavery." However, what might surprise film critics is that Pitt's second-highest rated film is actually one of his lesser-known roles, Moneyball. In 2011, the Hollywood A-lister starred in the sports drama, which tells the real-life story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team's ascent to fame through savvy financial decisions. The film boasts an impressive cast, including Jonah Hill, Chris Pratt, and Philip Hoffman, but for many viewers, Pitt's performance is a major factor in its high 94% rating. One fan raved: "This is one of my favorite Brad Pitt films," while others praised his "fantastic acting" as the baseball manager. A review reads: "All-Time Classic. Acting is excellent. Everyone gives really good performances, but Brad Pitt is excellent and just sends it over the top with an interesting character to boot." Not far behind in third place is a film that takes us back to the 90s and Pitt's minor role in True Romance. As far as films he's been a part of go, this one earns its high ranking thanks to its screenplay, penned by none other than Quentin Tarantino. Although Pitt's part is not a main casting, he did go on to work with Tarantino in other capacities, starring in both Inglourious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, both directed by the acclaimed filmmaker. One enthusiast hailed it as their "favourite film of all time." They penned: "This film has everything: great dialogue, a superb score/soundtrack, cinematography, story, humour, action, thrills, and, most importantly, great characters portrayed with a cast of some of my favourite actors." Among the entire list of 49 films, languishing at the bottom was an early work from Pitt's career, dating back to 1992. In this film, he portrays a cartoonist who finds himself immersed in a whimsical cartoon universe. Cool World is a blend of live action and animation, a combination that didn't sit well with most viewers, resulting in a dismal score of just 4%. Brad Pitt's Top 10 films ranked by Rotten Tomatoes 12 Years a Slave (2013) Moneyball (2011) True Romance (1993) Inglourious Basterds (2009) The Big Short (2015) 12 Monkeys (1995) Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood (2019) Thelma & Louise (1991) The Tree of Life (2011) Seven (1995)
New Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Chetan Bhagat praises 'Kesari Chapter 2', credits film for reigniting call for British apology on Jallianwala Bagh incident
Kesari Chapter 2, starring Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, continues to be in public discourse even months after its April release. The Karan Singh Tyagi directorial is a courtroom drama based on the life of C Sankaran Nair (Akshay), a lawyer who challenged the British Raj after the horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. The film has garnered effusive praise from author Chetan Bhagat, even as it faces serious accusations of plagiarism and historical inaccuracies. Saying he 'walked out shaken' from the film, Chetan wrote that the film 'drags history out of textbooks and makes you feel it in your bones." According to the makers, the film is based on Raghu and Pushpa Palat's book 'The Case That Shook The Empire'. An excerpt from Cinema Express' review notes that this 'text details C Sankaran Nair's defence against a defamation case' in London, filed by Michael O'Dwyer, Lieutenant Governor of Punjab during the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. The review further points out that while Sankaran Nair resigned from the Viceroy's council, contesting the massacre, and condemned the Raj, the film portrays him as a powerful figure, 'who filed a genocide case against the British in the Amritsar district court'—a claim unsupported by historical records.' Despite such historical discrepancies, Chetan continued his commendation, acknowledging the cinematic liberties taken. "Sure, the film takes cinematic liberties. There are imagined confrontations, dramatized moments, and even some revenge fantasy. Think Inglourious Basterds in Amritsar. But the core truth remains: over a thousand Indians were trapped and massacred in cold blood by British troops in 1919. That horror is real. That pain is generational. And that silence from Britain? Also very real," he said.
