Pawan Kalyan’s highly anticipated period action film, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, has faced a dramatic box office plunge on its second day, collecting significantly less than its impressive opening.
A Dramatic Dip in Collections
After a strong start, raking in Rs 34.75 crore on its opening day, Hari Hara Veera Mallu saw a sharp decline in its box office performance. On Friday, its second day, the film managed to collect only Rs 8 crore net.
This represents a staggering 77% drop in earnings from its first day, bringing its total domestic collection to Rs 55.50 crore. The severe drop has been a major disappointment for fans and industry analysts alike.
Occupancy Rates and Regional Performance
Across its second day, the Telugu-language film recorded an overall occupancy of 24.42%. Morning shows began at 17.75%, gradually improving throughout the day to peak at 32.53% during night shows.
Regionally, Mahbubnagar led in occupancy at 45.25%, followed by Warangal (31.50%) and Hyderabad (28.75%). While the film was released in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada, its box office performance was overwhelmingly driven by the Telugu market due to limited screenings elsewhere.
A Recurring Trend for Pawan Kalyan?
Hari Hara Veera Mallu, set in 1684 and reportedly made with a substantial budget of Rs 300 crore, was in production for several years. Despite the initial buzz generated by its opening numbers, its second-day crash mirrors a pattern seen in Pawan Kalyan’s recent releases.
For example, his 2023 film, Bro, opened with Rs 30 crore but finished its domestic run at Rs 83 crore. Similarly, Bheemla Nayak (2022) started at Rs 37.15 crore but ended with Rs 112 crore, and Vakeel Saab (2021) opened at Rs 40 crore before concluding at Rs 109 crore in India.
Facing Criticism and Controversy
Beyond its box office struggles, Hari Hara Veera Mallu has been met with widespread criticism from both audiences and reviewers. Early indications suggest the film has limited potential for growth in the coming days.
Adding to its challenges, the film has drawn controversy. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has condemned it, alleging that it promotes anti-Muslim sentiment through a fictionalized narrative. On its release day, Pawan Kalyan posted on social media about the Jizya tax, stating, “The Jizya tax, a punitive levy imposed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on Hindus for practicing their faith, stands as a stark symbol of oppression, yet historians have long softened its brutality.” He further added that the film “boldly unmasks this injustice, exposing the erasure of Hindu suffering and and the looting of India’s wealth.”
Looking at the Larger Picture
Expectations were particularly high for Hari Hara Veera Mallu, which also features Bobby Deol, as the Telugu film industry has been awaiting a major success since Pushpa 2 in 2024. Another significant Telugu release this year, Shankar’s Game Changer starring Ram Charan, faced its own struggles, though it performed better in its first two days, collecting Rs 72.6 crore.
- Hari Hara Veera Mallu saw a 77% drop in collections on Day 2, earning only Rs 8 crore.
- Its total domestic collection stands at Rs 55.50 crore after two days.
- The film’s performance follows a trend of sharp declines for Pawan Kalyan’s recent movies after strong openings.
- It has received poor reviews and faced controversy over its narrative content.
The film’s early performance paints a challenging picture for its theatrical run, reflecting the impact of critical reception and audience word-of-mouth on major releases.
