Pawan Kalyan's "Hari Hara Veera Mallu – Part 1: Sword vs Spirit" witnessed a significant drop in box office collections on its second day, Friday, after a strong start. Early estimates suggest the Day 2 earnings stood at approximately ₹8 crore (India net) for all languages, bringing the total to around ₹55.50 crore.

This is a steep decline from the film's opening day collection of ₹34.75 crore net at the domestic box office, which was achieved after earning ₹12.75 crore from premiere shows. The film had a strong opening, emerging as one of Pawan Kalyan's highest-grossing openings. However, the significant drop on the second day indicates a cooling off in audience enthusiasm. Some reports indicate the drop was as much as 75%.

Despite the drop, the film has crossed the ₹50 crore mark. However, the weekend footfall is now crucial to the film's overall box office success.

Regional Performance and Occupancy

The Telugu version of the film continues to dominate the numbers, with minimal contributions from dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. On Day 1, the Telugu collection stood at ₹34.65 crore out of the ₹34.75 crore total, indicating the film's core strength lies in the Telugu-speaking regions.

On Day 2, "Hari Hara Veera Mallu" had an overall 24.42% Telugu occupancy. Telugu 2D occupancy was recorded at 17.75% for morning shows, 20.17% in the afternoon, and 27.21% by evening. Among cities, Warangal reported the highest occupancy at 31%, followed by Mahbubnagar at 45.33%. Other regions such as Hyderabad (25.67%), Vijayawada (25.33%), and Kakinada (26.33%) remained strong, while metro cities like Mumbai (12.67%) and Delhi NCR (7%) posted much lower figures.

Factors Contributing to the Drop

Several factors may have contributed to the drop in collections on Day 2:

• Mixed Reviews: The film has received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. Some reviews have cited poor VFX as a major drawback.
• Boycott Calls: The film has faced criticism and boycott calls amid accusations of spreading anti-Muslim sentiments.
• Content and Execution: Some reviews suggest that the film relies heavily on Pawan Kalyan's star power but suffers from a patchy story, over-the-top action sequences, and a mishmash of ideas. Some critics noted the film felt like "one elevation scene after another". The shift in directors during production may have also impacted the film's consistency.

Story and Performances

"Hari Hara Veera Mallu" is a historical epic set in 1684. Veera Mallu (Pawan Kalyan) is an outlaw who steals jewels from the greedy and redistributes wealth to the needy. He is also portrayed as a savior of dharma who recognizes the threat posed by the Mughal rule, particularly Aurangzeb (Bobby Deol).

Pawan Kalyan's performance has been described as a balance of strength and restraint. However, some critics noted inconsistencies in his look and a lack of interest in the second half. Bobby Deol's portrayal of Aurangzeb has been described as menacing, but his role is limited. Nidhhi Agerwal, as Panchami, received mixed reviews, with some finding her character underdeveloped.

Technical Aspects

MM Keeravani's music has been praised for amplifying the film's emotional and dramatic highs. However, the visual effects have been widely criticized as subpar and distracting.

Future Prospects

The film's performance over the weekend will be crucial in determining its ultimate box office success. While Pawan Kalyan's star power may draw audiences initially, the film's long-term prospects will depend on positive word-of-mouth and its ability to overcome the negative factors mentioned above. The film lays the groundwork for a sequel, and whether that sequel materializes and improves upon the first part remains to be seen.