HHVM:
A Star’s Presence Can’t Salvage a Sinking Ship
Rating: ⭐️⭐️ (2/5)
By: Senior Film Critic
After years of anticipation, production delays, and ever-shifting release dates, Hari Hara Veera Mallu finally makes it to the big screen. Billed as a lavish period action-drama and headlined by Power Star Pawan Kalyan, the film aspires for grandeur but falters under the weight of outdated storytelling, sluggish pacing, and subpar execution.
The Bright Spots:
Pawan Kalyan’s screen presence remains the film’s single strongest asset. His charisma, style, and dialogue delivery — especially in the first half — offer fleeting moments of excitement that will likely please his core fanbase.
MM Keeravani’s background score lends occasional gravitas to otherwise bland sequences. His music adds emotional weight where the visuals often fail to deliver.
A few well-mounted scenes in the first half suggest potential, with flashes of energy and drama that briefly raise expectations.
Drawbacks:
A lackluster second half sinks the film. The narrative loses all steam post-interval, descending into predictability and monotony.
Visually underwhelming VFX dilute the grandeur the story aims for. For a film positioned as a period spectacle, the special effects feel cheap and unfinished, often pulling the viewer out of the experience.
Overstretched runtime tests the audience’s patience. With poor editing choices and unnecessary scenes, the film drags much longer than it should.
Tedious narration with no sense of urgency or innovation makes the plot feel like a chore rather than an engaging journey.
A recycled, time-worn storyline paired with plain, uninspired direction leaves little to be desired. The director plays it safe, resulting in a film that feels like it belongs to a bygone era of filmmaking.
Final Verdict:
Hari Hara Veera Mallu had all the ingredients for a grand cinematic outing — a popular star, a reputed composer, and a rich historical backdrop. Unfortunately, it squanders these strengths with outdated storytelling, lackluster execution, and poor technical support.
Fans of Pawan Kalyan might find a few redeeming moments. But for the average moviegoer, this is a tedious affair that struggles to rise above mediocrity.
⭐️⭐️ / 5
