Pawan Kalyan’s ‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu’: A Production Mired in Uncertainty
Pawan Kalyan’s ambitious period drama “Hari Hara Veera Mallu” has become a symbol of cinematic delays, raising concerns among fans and industry observers alike. The film, which began production four years ago, remains shrouded in uncertainty with no clear release date in sight.
Touted as the biggest project in Kalyan’s career and envisioned for a pan-Indian release, “Hari Hara Veera Mallu” was initially planned to be his comeback film. However, subsequent movies like “Vakeel Saab,” “Bheemla Nayak,” and “Bro” were completed and released ahead of it.
The film’s teaser, released on Kalyan’s birthday, generated significant hype. However, repeated postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kalyan’s political commitments, and other factors have dampened the initial excitement.
With the upcoming Andhra Pradesh elections in 2024 and Kalyan’s political priorities, the film’s release in the current year seems highly improbable. Moreover, his other commitments, including Harish Shankar’s “Ustaad Bhagat Singh,” are likely to push the project further into 2025.
Director Krish’s reported plans to embark on a new female-oriented project add further uncertainty to “Hari Hara Veera Mallu’s” timeline. This suggests a lack of immediate urgency to resume production, potentially delaying its release until 2026 or later.
Despite the challenges, producer AM Ratnam remains hopeful that the film will resume production after the elections. However, the project’s extended production period, already the longest in Kalyan’s career, raises questions about its eventual fate.
The film features Niddhi Agerwal as the female lead, while Arjun Rampal, Nargis Fakhri, and other notable actors play key roles. Renowned cinematographer Gnana Shekar and music composer M. M. Keeravani are also part of the crew.
