Pawan Kalyan returns to cinema with Hari Hara Veera Mallu, a film set in the Mughal era, imagined as a tale of rebellion and spiritual valor. But the final output struggles to hold attention. Despite high production value and sweeping visuals, the film leans too heavily on fragmented ideas and poorly written scenes.
From the very first sequence, the film feels uneven. The plot jumps between flashbacks, action, and philosophical monologues without building momentum. Characters enter and exit with little explanation. Scenes meant to evoke emotion or depth often feel hollow. The dialogue, in particular, comes off as clunky and preachy, lacking the natural rhythm of well-written drama.
Visual flair meets inconsistent direction
The film started under Krish Jagarlamudi and was later completed by Jyothi Krishna. This switch is felt sharply. Scenes vary in tone and texture, with some feeling cinematic and others flat. Despite the effort to blend history with fiction, the transitions are jarring. Visual effects look rushed in several places. Key moments like battle sequences or palace escapes lose their impact due to poor CGI layering.
Even with MM Keeravani background score giving the film some weight, the visual chaos often overpowers the mood.
Cast performance and missed opportunities
Pawan Kalyan commands presence, especially in fight scenes. His screen power still draws attention, but the character lacks layers. There’s little evolution or inner conflict. Sathyaraj brings maturity in a restrained role, and Bobby Deol leaves a mark with his brief appearance. Nidhhi Agerwal plays her part sincerely but doesn’t get enough to work with. Supporting characters exist more as props than as people. Their motivations are never explored, making most of them forgettable.
The film had the potential to become a cultural epic. But inconsistent direction, poor writing, and forced ideological messaging drag it down. Even loyal fans might find it difficult to stay invested till the end. What could have been a bold reimagining ends up as a missed opportunity wrapped in lavish packaging.
