Pawan Kalyan clarifies: ‘I haven’t abandoned Hari Hara Veera Mallu’

In a rare media appearance as an actor—not as Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister—Pawan Kalyan spoke candidly ahead of the release of his long-delayed film Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit, set to release on July 24 in multiple languages.

Addressing the press in Hyderabad, Pawan clarified his usual absence from film promotions. “It’s not arrogance. I’ve always believed that if a film is good, it speaks for itself. And if it’s not, no amount of promotion helps,” he said.

Pawan made an exception this time to support veteran producer AM Rathnam, who has faced mounting criticism and financial issues. Despite years of silence, the actor felt compelled to stand by Rathnam, acknowledging the producer's challenging journey and longstanding contribution to cinema, including their first collaboration Kushi in 2001. “Rathnam gave me creative freedom back then, and I respect that,” he recalled.

The historical action film, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, directed initially by Krish Jagarlamudi, faced multiple hurdles, including pandemic delays and Pawan’s political responsibilities. Eventually, Jyothi Krishna stepped in to complete the directorial duties alongside Rathnam.

Set in the Golconda Sultanate during Aurangzeb’s reign, the film is high on action and spectacle. A 20-minute climax sequence, shot over 57 scorching days, will serve as a bridge between the first and second parts of the film. “My early martial arts training really helped,” Pawan shared.

By showing up for this press conference, Pawan Kalyan underscored his loyalty—not just to a project, but to the people behind it.