Pawan Kalyan’s film “Hari Hara Veera Mallu” (HHVM) officially released in theatres today, July 24, 2025, after facing numerous delays over five years.
The movie reportedly earned Rs. 44 crore on day 1 with a mixed set of reviews.
Film Budget:
- “Hari Hara Veera Mallu” is reported to be a high-budget film, with estimates ranging around ₹300 crore. This makes it one of the most expensive Telugu films ever made, reflecting its ambitious period setting, elaborate sets, and extensive action sequences.
Stars (Main Cast):
- Pawan Kalyan as Veera Mallu
- Bobby Deol as Aurangzeb (the formidable Mughal Emperor, the primary antagonist)
- Nidhhi Agerwal as Panchami
- Nargis Fakhri as Roshanara
- Nora Fatehi (in a special appearance/role)
- Sathyaraj
- Dalip Tahil as Qutub Shah
- Anupam Kher
- Vikramjeet Virk
- Jisshu Sengupta
Director:
- Krish Jagarlamudi (also credited with the screenplay)
- A. M. Jyothi Krishna (also credited as director, especially after reports of Krish walking out of the project for a period)
Producer:
- A. M. Rathnam
- A. Dayakar Rao (Produced by, under Mega Surya Production)
Music Director:
- M. M. Keeravani (Oscar-winning composer)
Movie Plot: Set in the 17th century Mughal Empire, “Hari Hara Veera Mallu” follows the story of Veera Mallu (Pawan Kalyan), a legendary outlaw described as a Robin Hood-like figure.
The core plot revolves around:
- The Koh-i-Noor Diamond: Veera Mallu is tasked with a crucial mission to recover the legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond. This precious gem, originally mined in the Kolluru region, found its way to the Sultanate of Golconda before being seized by the Mughals and held by Emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi.
- Clash with Aurangzeb: Veera Mallu’s quest pits him directly against the ruthless Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (Bobby Deol), leading to epic confrontations and high-stakes action sequences.
- Deeper Motives: Beyond the heist, Veera Mallu’s journey is intertwined with personal reasons and a deeper purpose related to saving his people and upholding “Dharma” against oppressive rule. The film explores themes of rebellion, justice for the marginalized, and the fight against tyranny.
- Political Intrigue: The narrative also delves into the politics of the time, involving the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda and the broader struggle against Mughal hegemony.
The film is designed as a two-part series, with “Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit” setting the stage and leaving audiences with a cliffhanger, hinting at a larger conflict to unfold in the continuation. It blends historical fiction with elements of adventure, heist, and socio-political commentary.
Interesting facts about the movie HHVM:
- Long-Awaited Release: The film has been in production for an extended period, facing challenges like COVID-19 delays, director changes (initially Krish Jagarlamudi, now Jyothi Krisna, the producer’s son, completed it), and Pawan Kalyan’s increased involvement in politics. This long wait has built significant anticipation among his fans.
- Pawan Kalyan’s Political Role: Pawan Kalyan is not just an actor; he is the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and the President of the Janasena Party. His recent electoral success has added another layer of interest to his film comeback. Initially, there were reports he wouldn’t participate in promotions due to his political commitments, but he has actively engaged in promotional events leading up to the release.
- Mixed Reviews and Box Office Performance: The film has opened to mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences, with some calling it a “missed opportunity” and criticizing the VFX and narration. However, despite the reviews, it has seen strong advance bookings and a significant opening day collection, powered by Pawan Kalyan’s dedicated fan base. Early reports indicate it’s set to break his previous opening day records.
- Controversies and Political Undertones:
- Pawan Kalyan has made strong statements regarding the film’s theme, particularly about the Jizya tax imposed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on Hindus. He mentioned addressing his “childhood pain” on this issue through the film and stated that HHVM “boldly unmasks this injustice, exposing the erasure of Hindu suffering and the looting of India’s wealth.”
- The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly opposed the film, alleging it spreads “anti-Muslim ideas using a made-up story” and that the historical figure Veeramallu did not exist. While the film carries a disclaimer that it is fictional, this adds a political dimension to the discussion around the movie.
- Pawan Kalyan himself addressed boycott calls for the film, challenging those criticizing it to “hit back” if they have the “guts,” while also urging his fans not to be overly sensitive to negativity.
- Fan Frenzy and Disruptions: Fans have shown immense enthusiasm, leading to packed theatres. There were reports of fans disrupting screenings in the UK by throwing confetti, leading to theatre staff confronting them.
- Remuneration and Sequel Plans: Pawan Kalyan stated he would only “consider his remuneration” if the film is a hit, indicating his priority for the producer to recover investment. The film is titled “HHVM: Part 1—Sword vs Spirit,” with a potential sequel dependent on the audience’s response to the first part.
- OTT Release: Amazon Prime Video has reportedly acquired the streaming rights, with an expected release by the end of August, though no official confirmation yet.
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