' Hari Hara Veera Mallu : Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit', starring Pawan Kalyan , hit theatres on July 24, 2025. The period action-adventure was anticipated for its grandeur and star power. Unfortunately the Pawan Kalyan starrer received mixed reviews after its release.

Netizens were quick to express their disappointment. The criticisms were majorly aimed at the poor CGI that disrupted the cinematic experience.
VFX scenes reportedly being removed
As reported by Cinema Express, the makers are planning to re-edit certain portions of the film. Reportedly, the team behind 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' is considering replacing or removing the poorly executed VFX sequences. However, there is no official confirmation from the makers regarding the same.
Viewers voice their disappointment online

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Social media saw a wave of criticism from viewers who expected more from a big-budget historical film. One user pointed out, “watched Hari Hara Veera Mallu — very disappointed with the CG/VFX quality. It really takes away from the impact of the film. Heard the VFX was handled by AI Zhara Studio . Requesting @MegaSuryaProd , @PawanKalyan garu, and the team — please consider reworking the CG/VFX." Another one wrote, "Youth might get little bit off due to those 4 to 5 vfx scenes. But the overall movie has been designed nicely."
About the film
'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' follows the journey of Veera Mallu, an outlaw who is recruited to retrieve the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond from Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
An excerpt from ETimes review reads, "The supporting cast is underutilised. Bobby Deol brings quiet menace as Aurangzeb but appears only briefly. Other actors, including Sathyaraj, Nassar, Sachin Khedekar, Subbaraju, Sunil, Raghu Babu, and Kota Srinivasa Rao (in his final appearance), are present but given little scope. Hari Hara Veera Mallu might appeal to Pawan Kalyan’s core fanbase and those drawn to visually grand period dramas with action and mythic flair. For most viewers, however, it may feel like a missed opportunity — a film rich in ambition but short on cohesion."
The cast includes Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nargis Fakhri, Sathyaraj, and Nassar. Despite the setbacks, the film ends by setting up a sequel titled 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 2 – Battlefield'.