Hari Hara Veera Mallu X review: Pawan Kalyan’s period drama gets slammed for weak VFX and storyline

Chennai: Pawan Kalyan’s much-awaited Hari Hara Veera Mallu, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, finally hit the screens on Thursday, July 24, and early social media reactions suggest a bumpy ride. While the first half of the period actioner has found some takers, many fans and film watchers on X are calling out the film's inconsistent storytelling, lacklustre VFX, and a disappointing second half.

Set in 17th-century India, Hari Hara Veera Mallu features Pawan Kalyan as a Robin Hood-esque hero assigned the task of retrieving the Koh-i-Noor diamond. With a rich historical backdrop and a soundtrack by MM Keeravani, expectations were high. However, the initial buzz online paints a mixed picture.

"No grip on the story telling,visual effects & drama doesn't works.Big second half needed for atleast to be average. TORCHER so far !!,” one user bluntly wrote, expressing frustration with the film's execution.

Another user echoed similar sentiments, calling the movie a “letdown.”

“Initial half is somewhat bearable...The VFX is lacking, with several scenes in the second half looking incomplete and awkward. The dubbing is problematic too; poor lip-sync and unclear audio plague several characters, including Pawan Kalyan,” they wrote, adding, “Apart from Pawan Kalyan's on-screen charisma, a handful of engaging moments early on, and Keeravani's music, there's little to recommend here. Overall, it's a letdown.”

Some viewers, however, found redeeming qualities in the film’s action set pieces and music.

“Very good first half. The last 40 minutes are also good. Keeravani’s score is the heart of the film. Kusthi and pre-climax fights stand out. But the VFX is below par,” noted another reaction, highlighting the strengths and shortcomings in equal measure.

While many pointed to the technical flaws, particularly poor dubbing and substandard visual effects, others expressed disappointment over the film’s tonal inconsistency.

Another succinctly summed up the early verdict, “#HariHaraVeeraMallu 1st Half – Below Average. Positives: Pawan Kalyan, Title card, Keeravani BGM, Kusthi fight.”

Despite the polarised reactions, there's unanimous praise for MM Keeravani’s background score, which most agree adds emotional weight to the film. Pawan Kalyan’s screen presence also continues to draw admiration even from those unimpressed by the film overall.

With Hari Hara Veera Mallu still early in its theatrical run, time will tell if audience sentiment improves or the criticism grows louder.