Pawan Kalyan’s much-awaited historical actioner Hari Hara Veera Mallu finally hit theatres, but its box office opening has raised eyebrows across the industry. With a ₹60 crore worldwide gross on Day 1, the film has started off on a modest note—especially considering the hype and budget riding on it.
Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and AM Jyothi Krishna, the film was expected to set the screens on fire. But with mixed reviews and underwhelming word of mouth, the reality is far more subdued.
So, what went wrong? And can Pawan Kalyan bounce back with OG? Let’s break it down.
A ₹60 Crore Opening—But Is That Enough?
For a film of this scale, ₹60 crore globally on Day 1 is definitely on the lower side. In India, the film brought in around ₹50.25 crore, which includes ₹10 crore from premiere shows. But the overseas collections were tepid, contributing only ₹10 crore—far from what was expected from Pawan Kalyan’s fan base abroad.
When you’ve got a star of this magnitude, plus a cast that includes Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nora Fatehi, and Nargis Fakhri, the expectations naturally go sky-high. But box office isn’t just about names—execution and storytelling matter just as much.
Unfortunately, Hari Hara Veera Mallu seems to have faltered on both those fronts, especially going by early reactions.
What Didn’t Click with the Audience?
The problem isn’t with the scale or ambition. The film tries to present a larger-than-life tale set during the Mughal era, mixing historical fiction with masala elements. On paper, it sounds exciting.
But in execution, the film struggles with a slow screenplay, weak character arcs, and VFX that don’t quite match up to current industry standards. And once those early reviews came out calling it a mixed bag, the impact was immediate—especially on Day 2, where the film is reportedly seeing a significant drop in footfall.
Now, films have bounced back from rough starts before, especially if they find strong weekend momentum or solid single-screen support. But with a big-budget period drama, there’s less breathing room for error. And unfortunately, HHVM is running low on that margin.
Can OG Be the Comeback Pawan Kalyan Needs?
With Hari Hara Veera Mallu facing a rocky road, all eyes are now on Pawan Kalyan’s next big release—OG. Directed by Sujeeth, who has previously delivered slick action dramas, OG is already building buzz for being a more commercial, stylish entertainer.
Unlike HHVM, which was rooted in a historical setup and demanded a certain narrative depth, OG looks like a film designed to play to Pawan Kalyan’s strengths—charisma, swagger, and high-octane action.
Fans are already rallying behind OG, hoping it gives the Power Star the massive theatrical comeback they’ve been waiting for. And from what’s being reported so far, OG might just deliver on that promise.
What’s Next for HHVM?
To be fair, Hari Hara Veera Mallu still has a chance to stabilize if it can hold steady over the weekend and into its second week. Films like these often benefit from holiday releases or long weekends—but timing hasn’t quite worked in its favor either.
If the film can recover even a fraction of the domestic momentum and find some overseas traction, it might avoid complete commercial disappointment. But at this point, it needs more than just fan support—it needs strong word of mouth, and fast.
Not the Grand Opening Fans Hoped For
When a film featuring a massive star like Pawan Kalyan opens at ₹60 crore globally, it might sound impressive on paper. But in the bigger picture, it’s a reminder that star power alone isn’t enough anymore. Audiences today want engaging content, technical finesse, and fresh storytelling—especially when they’re paying for that theatrical experience.
Hari Hara Veera Mallu had the ingredients, but maybe not the right mix. As the film continues its run in theatres, its future now rests on how it performs over the next few days.
Meanwhile, fans are already looking ahead. The buzz for OG is getting louder—and for good reason. If Pawan Kalyan needs a big comeback, that might just be the one to do it.
