"Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit," starring Pawan Kalyan, finally hit theaters on July 24, 2025, after years of delays. The film, directed by Jyothi Krishna and Krish Jagarlamudi, is a period action-adventure set in the 17th century Mughal Empire. It follows the story of Veera Mallu, a Robin Hood-like outlaw tasked with recovering the Koh-i-Noor diamond from Aurangzeb. The cast includes Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nargis Fakhri, and other prominent actors.

Despite high anticipation, the film has received mixed reviews, with many viewers criticizing its visual effects (VFX) and computer-generated imagery (CGI). Social media has been flooded with comments expressing disappointment in the quality of the VFX, with some viewers stating that it detracts from the film's impact.

According to multiple reports, the filmmakers are considering re-editing the movie to address these concerns. The plan may involve removing or replacing the poorly executed VFX sequences with better visuals. Some reports indicate that certain weak CGI scenes have already been removed in the latest version of the film. However, there has been no official confirmation from the makers regarding these changes.

Several factors contributed to the film's multiple delays, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Pawan Kalyan's political commitments, and pending VFX work. Financial challenges, including overdue payments to VFX studios, also reportedly played a role in the delays. The film has been delayed nearly ten times over the last five years.

The film's digital rights have been acquired by Amazon Prime Video, with an expected release on the platform by the end of August. However, the exact date has not been officially announced.

Despite the criticism of the VFX, some reviewers have praised Pawan Kalyan's performance, M.M. Keeravani's music, and the film's action sequences. The movie is considered a decent cinematic experience that lays the groundwork for a bigger sequel.