Published: July 26, 2025, 15:30 IST

The much-anticipated Telugu period action-adventure film, Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit, starring Pawan Kalyan, has taken a dramatic nosedive at the box office on its second day of release, July 25, 2025. Despite a promising opening fueled by Kalyan’s star power and aggressive promotions, the film has failed to sustain its momentum, earning a mere ₹5 crore share worldwide on day 2, according to early estimates. This marks a staggering 72% drop from its opening day gross of approximately ₹70-90 crore worldwide, raising alarm bells for distributors and fans alike. Here’s a detailed look at what went wrong for this ₹250-300 crore magnum opus.

A Promising Start Derailed by Negative Word-of-Mouth

Hari Hara Veera Mallu, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A.M. Jyothi Krishna, hit theaters on July 24, 2025, with high expectations. The film, set in the 17th-century Mughal Empire, follows the titular warrior Veera Mallu (Pawan Kalyan) on a daring mission to recover the Koh-i-Noor diamond from Mughal forces led by Emperor Aurangzeb (Bobby Deol). With a stellar cast including Nidhhi Agerwal, Nargis Fakhri, Nora Fatehi, and Sathyaraj, and backed by M.M. Keeravani’s score, the film was poised to be a pan-Indian blockbuster.

The film’s premiere shows and opening day were bolstered by Pawan Kalyan’s massive fanbase and hiked ticket prices, leading to a solid ₹46.55 crore share (including GST) in Telugu states and a worldwide gross of around ₹70-90 crore. Trade analysts noted that the film recovered over one-third of its ₹120 crore theatrical rights on day 1, marking Pawan Kalyan’s biggest career opening. However, the initial buzz was short-lived as negative reviews from premiere screenings began to spread, impacting audience turnout on day 2.

Day 2 Collapse: A Box Office Nightmare

On July 25, 2025, Hari Hara Veera Mallu witnessed a catastrophic drop in collections, with early estimates pegging the worldwide share at below ₹5 crore. Posts on X echoed the sentiment, with users like @TrackTwood and @ajith3339 reporting that many theaters faced deficits due to low occupancy rates, some as dismal as 16% across major cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Vijayawada. Advance bookings for day 2 were equally bleak, with Hyderabad grossing just ₹1.5 crore across 538 shows and Bengaluru managing a mere ₹22 lakh with 7% occupancy.

Trade reports indicate that the film’s second-day gross fell below ₹10 crore worldwide, a sharp contrast to the producer’s expectations of a ₹100 crore opening and a ₹150 crore share from theatricals. The overseas market, which contributed only ₹10 crore on day 1, performed even worse on day 2, further compounding the film’s woes. This drastic decline has led to concerns that the film may struggle to recover its massive budget, estimated at ₹250-300 crore.

Why Did Hari Hara Veera Mallu Falter?

Several factors contributed to the film’s disappointing performance on day 2:

1. Negative Word-of-Mouth: Audience and critic reactions on X and review platforms have been mixed to negative. While some praised Pawan Kalyan’s charisma and the film’s action sequences, others slammed its “chaotic” second half, poor visual effects, and lackluster screenplay. A netizen on X called it a “torturous movie” with “not a single ticket-worthy episode,” giving it a 1.75/5 rating. Overseas critic Umair Sandhu also labeled it a “disaster,” citing a weak narrative and subpar VFX.
2. VFX and Technical Shortcomings: The film’s visual effects have been a major point of criticism. Reviewers described the VFX as “amateurish” and “laughable,” with specific complaints about poorly rendered scenes, such as a rock-falling sequence. The editing and dialogue writing were also deemed subpar, failing to elevate the film’s grand scale.
3. Music Disappoints: Despite M.M. Keeravani’s involvement, the film’s soundtrack and background score failed to resonate with audiences. Critics noted that the music lacked the emotional depth needed for a historical epic, further diminishing the film’s impact.
4. Production Delays and Inconsistencies: The film’s protracted production, spanning over five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Pawan Kalyan’s political commitments, led to noticeable inconsistencies. Reviewers pointed out variations in Kalyan’s physical appearance and uneven storytelling, likely due to the shift in direction from Krish to Jyothi Krishna.
5. High Ticket Prices: The Andhra Pradesh government allowed theaters to increase ticket prices by ₹100-200 for the first ten days, which may have deterred audiences, especially with negative reviews circulating. Some fans suggested that the makers reduce ticket prices to salvage weekend collections.

Audience and Critic Reactions

The film’s first half received some praise for Pawan Kalyan’s “unmatched aura” and high-energy action sequences, with posts on X highlighting the electrifying theater atmosphere. However, the second half has been widely criticized as “painful” and “chaotic,” with a lackluster climax and weak character development for supporting actors like Nidhhi Agerwal and Bobby Deol. A review on greatandhra.com gave the film a 1.75/5, calling it a “dull tale” marred by “uninspired storytelling” and “embarrassingly poor visual effects.”

Nidhhi Agerwal, who plays Panchami, spoke positively about working with Pawan Kalyan, describing his magnetic presence and dedication. However, her role was criticized for lacking narrative weight beyond a single twist. Bobby Deol’s portrayal of Aurangzeb was noted as “menacing” in the trailer but received mixed feedback in reviews, with some calling his performance “okay” but underutilized.

What’s Next for Hari Hara Veera Mallu?

With weekend advances showing no significant jump, the film faces an uphill battle to recover its massive budget. Trade analysts suggest that the film may close its theatrical run by the first weekend if the trend continues. Fans and exhibitors are urging the makers to take immediate action, such as reducing ticket prices or ramping up promotions, to boost collections.

Interestingly, Pawan Kalyan has confirmed that Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 2 is still in the works, with 30% of the filming already complete. However, given his commitments as Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister and his upcoming project Ustaad Bhagat Singh, the timeline for Part 2 remains uncertain. The success of the sequel will likely depend on addressing the shortcomings of Part 1, particularly in terms of VFX and storytelling.

A Missed Opportunity?

Hari Hara Veera Mallu was envisioned as a grand celebration of Pawan Kalyan’s legacy, with a gripping trailer and a star-studded cast generating significant buzz. However, its failure to deliver on narrative depth, technical finesse, and audience engagement has turned it into a cautionary tale of ambition outpacing execution. As theaters report deficits and social media buzz turns sour, the film’s fate hangs in the balance. Will it bounce back over the weekend, or is this the end of the road for Veera Mallu’s cinematic revolt? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned to Masala Mirror for more updates on box office trends and Tollywood news!