The highly anticipated Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 - Sword vs Spirit, starring Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, was released nationwide on July 24, 2025, triggering massive celebrations across Andhra Pradesh. Fans in Vijayawada, Konaseema, Kadapa, and beyond thronged theatres, cutting cakes, bursting crackers, and displaying flexis to mark Kalyan’s first cinematic release since assuming office.

Directed by AM Jyothi Krishna under the supervision of Krish Jagarlamudi, the Telugu-language period action-adventure film features Nidhhi Agerwal, Bobby Deol as Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, and a score by Oscar-winner MM Keeravani. Set in the 17th-century Mughal Empire, it follows the fictional outlaw Veera Mallu’s quest to recover the Koh-i-Noor diamond. Produced by Mega Surya Production, the film faced delays due to COVID-19 and Kalyan’s political commitments, including the 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections.

The Andhra Pradesh government approved a ticket price hike—Rs 150 for upper-class single screens and Rs 200 for multiplexes—for the first 10 days, with five daily shows permitted for a week. Premiere shows at 9:30 PM on July 23 saw record-breaking attendance in East and West Godavari, grossing Rs 16.5 crore in these districts alone. A grand pre-release event in Visakhapatnam on July 23 drew fans, cinema figures, and politicians, with Kalyan reflecting on the film’s journey and its relevance, particularly its depiction of resistance against Mughal oppression.

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Despite mixed reactions—some praising Kalyan’s performance and the first half’s action, while others criticized the second half’s pacing—the film’s release has cemented Kalyan’s star power. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu extended his wishes, expressing hope for its success.

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