Pawan Kalyan's period action film, "Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit," has been the subject of much discussion, particularly regarding its visual effects (VFX). Following the film's release on July 24, 2025, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A. M. Jyothi Krishna, audiences and critics alike pointed out the inconsistent and, at times, substandard CGI. This criticism has prompted a response from the filmmakers, with director Jyothi Krishna addressing the concerns and reports emerging of post-release edits to improve the film.
"Hari Hara Veera Mallu" faced numerous delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Pawan Kalyan's political commitments. The movie is set in the 17th century and stars Pawan Kalyan as Veera Mallu, a rebellious outlaw tasked with recovering the Koh-i-Noor diamond from Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, played by Bobby Deol. Nidhhi Agerwal plays the female lead.
The film's release was highly anticipated, but the initial reactions were mixed, with many viewers expressing disappointment with the VFX quality. Social media platforms saw a wave of criticism, with users noting that the substandard CGI detracted from the overall cinematic experience. One user highlighted the issue, stating, "watched Hari Hara Veera Mallu — very disappointed with the CG/VFX quality. It really takes away from the impact of the film".
In response to the criticism, director Jyothi Krishna addressed the VFX concerns in an interview, acknowledging that some scenes were not up to par. However, he downplayed the significance of these issues, referring to them as "minor". He stated that he was aware of the shortcomings in some of the CGI shots but emphasized that the core elements of the film, such as the story and screenplay, were well-received. Jyothi Krishna also addressed the trolling the film faced during its production, stating, “Anyone will troll only those who are in the limelight... I do not take any of the negativity to heart".
Reports have since emerged that the filmmakers are taking action to address the VFX issues. According to Cinema Express, the production team is considering releasing an updated version of the film with revised visual effects. This may involve editing out or enhancing sequences with improved CGI. Several scenes with poor VFX, including horse-riding sequences, a comedy scene involving a wolf, and a flashback scene, have been removed to improve the film's quality. These adjustments have reduced the movie's runtime by approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Fans who rewatched the film noticed that some scenes had been trimmed, and a significant portion towards the end was removed. One fan commented on the changes, writing, "Perfect cut idi matram (This is the perfect cut)...Ending on a high note .....and that vfx tooo". Another fan noted, "#HariHaraVeeraMallu few unwanted VFX shots have been removed". The climax, which featured a face-off between Veera Mallu and Aurangzeb in a tornado, has reportedly been completely removed.
Despite the mixed reviews and VFX criticisms, "Hari Hara Veera Mallu" has garnered some positive feedback. Pawan Kalyan's performance and M.M. Keeravani's music have been praised. Some reviewers have also noted that the action sequences are a major highlight.
The film's presenter, A. M. Rathnam, has been commended for his unwavering belief in the story. While some found the characters underdeveloped and the second half sluggish, the film is still considered entertaining and lays the groundwork for a sequel.
As of July 28, 2025, "Hari Hara Veera Mallu" has made ₹75.65 crore net in India. The digital rights for the film have been acquired by Prime Video, with an expected release on the platform by the end of August.
