Both Bobby Deol and Pawan Kalyan deliver spirited performances, but the movie lacks the visual and dramatic flair of Laxman Utekar’s blockbuster Chhaava also set in the same Hindutva space. The terrible CGI of the later portions only makes things worse
Starcast: Pawan Kalyan, Bobby Deol, Niddhi Aggarwal, Nassar, Sunil, Subbaraju and others
Genre: Historical fiction
Directors: Krish Jagarlamudi and A.M Jyothi Krishna
Screenplay and story: Krish Jagarlamudi
Dialogues: Sai Madhav Burra
Producers: A.M Rathnam and A. Dyakar Rao
Production Company: Mega Surya Production
Music: MM Keeravani
Cinematography: Manoj Paramahamsa and Gnana Shekar V.S
Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Hari Hara Veera Mallu (Part 1 Sword VS Spirit) has been in the making for a very long time. There have been numerous reasons for this. Beginning with the COVID affect leading to production delays, on top of that schedule problems with both Krish Jagarlamudi and Pawan Kalyan. The actor political resurgence has only added to the movie’s delay. Meanwhile Krish Jagarlamudi stepped out of direction midway much like his other historical fiction Manikarnika. After a tumultuous journey of 5 years the movie is finally out, the effect of production delays and change of directors is clearly visible specifically in the second half.
Without giving much away the broad storyline of Hari Hara Veera Mallu focuses on a Robinhood like figure played by Pawan Kalyan. He steals from the rich and distributes it among the poor, however there is much more to Veera Mallu. A past connected to the atrocities of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (a regal Bobby Deol) on Hindu deities. Part 1 primarily focuses on how the paths of these two intertwine setting the clash of an epic fight.
The first half of Hari Hara Veera Mallu is fairly engaging. The character establishment of both Bobby and Pawan Kalyan is done well. Specific mention must be made of a sequence involving a feudal lord in which Pawan Kalyan gives a voice to the suppressed who till then don’t even look into the eyes of their ruler directly. The action sequences in the beginning portions have also been staged with skill. These include the port fight in Machilipatnam establishing Veera Mallu’s bravado. The Charminar battle is also good with some neat stunt work and the effective scale.
The love story between Pawan Kalyan and Nidhi Aggarwal playing a supposed damsel in distress also has its moments. Nidhi Aggarwal has a striking presence and the twist around her character sets a good base for the second half.
However, the movie falls significantly short in the second half. The backstory of Pawan Kalyan with emphasis on Santhana Dharma values feels like a tribute to the actor’s personal beliefs, it also doesn’t help that the flashback portion doesn’t have the required emotional gravitas.
Numerous sequences in the second half feel stretched with a deliberate holding back. This makes the viewer restless, the terrible CGI only compound the woes. For a movie which has been in the making for so long the production values are not consistent. There is a dramatic sequence involving a stormy weather and big stones falling from the hills while Pawan and co are on a mission. The portion has enough potential for thrills but the way it has been staged leaves little to no impact.
There is also a CGI sequence involving a pack of animals, this only adds to the length of the movie. The dialogues about human animal conflict are relevant to today’s times but in the context of the film the portion feels like an absolute misfit.
Hari Hara Veera Mallu also suffers from lack of character development with Pawan Kalyan hogging most of the limelight. Pawan Kalyan has stepped into the zone of historical fiction for the first time however the movie presents the actor politician in the same way a people’s leader. There are zero moral complexities keeping in mind the actor’s limited capabilities nevertheless Pawan Kalyan brings in a star aura. In spite of the long delays Pawan Kalyan looks dapper as always. His performance in the dialogues involving Santhana Dharma is noteworthy and would appeal to the die-hard fans.
Bobby Deol as Aurangzeb has a regal presence. The actor disappears for a long period after a solid introduction, still Bobby makes a strong impact getting into the headspace of Aurangzeb’s fanatical ways with ease. He plays the part with subtle menace and the fiery body language definitely helps. Among the rest Nassar, Sunil and Subbaraju as part of Veera Mallu’s team have their moments specifically in the first half, but they are soon relegated to the background.
The music of MM Keeravani is fairly good. The folk number Kollagottinadhiro has an upbeat tune but for a movie of this scale the songs needed to be much better. The background score though uplifts the action episodes.
The cinematography of Manoj Paramahamsa and Gnana Shekhar VS is also mixed, in some sequences standing out, in others an eyesore. The production design of Thota Tharrani has grandeur but suffers on the account of a familiar pallet. Its a massive letdown from the production designer after a solid work in Kuberra.
As far as direction goes its difficult to pin point one in particular but the screenplay’s attempt at juggling nationalism, rebellion etc feels too cluttered.
The cliff hanger does promise an epic fight going forward but chances of part two are very bleak and would be probably best to drop.
Final word: Hari Hara Veera Mallu is worth watching only if you are a die hard Pawan Kalyan fan or just want to see grandness without soul.