After years of delays and anticipation, Pawan Kalyan’s epic period drama Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit has finally hit the big screen. Packed with action, historical depth, and grandeur, the film arrives with massive expectations. But does it deliver? Let’s break it down.

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🧭 Story Summary

Set in the 1650s, the film follows Veera Mallu (Pawan Kalyan) — a Robin Hood-like outlaw who first outwits a local king and then receives a bigger mission: steal the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the Mughals. Sent by Qutub Shah, Veera heads to Delhi, where the jewel is held by Aurangazeb (Bobby Deol). But his real motives go deeper than just the diamond. What secrets lie in Veera’s past? What connects him to Aurangazeb? The film slowly unfolds these mysteries.

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✅ What Works (Plus Points)

• Pawan Kalyan is the soul of the film, with his intense performance, sharp dialogue delivery, and powerful screen presence, especially during emotional and action-packed moments.

• The action choreography is top-notch, particularly:

  • The Machilipatnam Port fight

  • The Charminar battle

  • The Kushti fight in Kollur

  • A brutal village fight in the second half

• M.M. Keeravaani’s music lifts the film’s emotional beats and adds richness to fight sequences.

• Bobby Deol plays a menacing Aurangazeb, setting the stage for a deeper conflict in Part 2.

• Nidhhi Agerwal delivers a graceful performance, despite limited screen time.

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❌ What Doesn’t Work (Minus Points)

• The second half drags, with filler scenes and a lack of urgency as the story holds off big moments for the sequel.

• Key characters like Sathyaraj and Nidhhi Agerwal feel underwritten, and Bobby Deol’s face-off with Pawan is barely explored in this chapter.

• Visual effects are disappointing, especially during crucial moments like the hill confrontation. The CG work doesn’t match the film’s grand scale.

• The cliffhanger ending leaves more questions than answers, which might not satisfy everyone expecting a complete story.

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🎬 Technical Aspects

• Direction: Krish’s original vision is visible, and Jyothi Krishna has wrapped it up decently. The film has a good blend of historical flair and cinematic scale.

• Cinematography: Rich visuals from Gnana Sekhar VS and Manoj Paramahamsa bring the 1600s alive.

• Editing: Sharp in the first half, but inconsistent in the second.

• Production Design: Impressive sets and costumes, although the poor VFX lets it down.

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🎥 Verdict

Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Sword vs Spirit is a decent historical action drama that builds a strong foundation for its sequel. With Pawan Kalyan's commanding performance, powerful action, and a stirring soundtrack, the film entertains despite its pacing issues and weak visual effects. If you're a fan of Pawan or love period adventures, this film is worth watching on the big screen — just don’t expect the full story yet.

Reference from:- https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/pawan-kalayans-hari-hara-veera-mallu-movie-review.html