The much-hyped film of Jana Sena Party president and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan – Hari Hara Veera Mallu – was released on Thursday to the general public. The premier shows were screened on Wednesday night itself.
While the frenzied fans of the power star are extremely euphoric over the film, as it is the first period film acted in by Pawan Kalyan and the first film after he became the deputy chief minister, the premier shows, however, generated a mixed talk. Even the reviews are not very encouraging for the film.
Generally, whenever a film of an actor-turned-politician is released, it is bound to generate a lot of negative talk from the opposition ranks. Obviously, one would expect negative comments from the YSR Congress party activists for HHVM.
But for the Telugu Desam Party ranks, it is a sensitive issue as Pawan Kalyan is a political ally of TDP president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and any negative talk among the TDP groups might cause disturbance in TDP-Jana Sena Party relationship.
It is also a sensitive because of the caste polarisation in Andhra Pradesh. Since TDP is perceived as a Kamma-dominated party and Jana Sena a Kapu-oriented party, any negative comments from the TDP groups might kick up Kamma-Kapu rivalry all over again.
Sources said the TDP ranks were given strict instructions not to make any comments against HHVM film. Even the social media groups and cinema portals supported by Kamma community have been asked to maintain restraint in talking about the film.
In fact, for the first time, Naidu himself posted a message on his social media handle X congratulating Pawan Kalyan on the release of HHVM.
“I extend my best wishes to Pawan Kalyan on the occasion of the release of HHVM which his fans and audiences were waiting for a long time. I sincerely wish the HHVM, acted in by my friend Pawan Kalyan for the first time in a film with a historic subject, will be a super hit,” Naidu tweeted.
Naidu’s son and IT minister Nara Lokesh also extended his best wishes, stating: "Pawan Anna, his films, and his swag — I truly love them. I wholeheartedly wish Hari Hara Veera Mallu becomes a massive success with Power Star’s powerful performance."
He added that, like millions of Power Star fans, he too was eagerly waiting for the film and congratulated the entire team during a special event on Wednesday.
Pawan Kalyan expressed heartfelt gratitude to for his unexpected and warm encouragement for the film Hari Hara Veera Mallu.
"Although I have met Hon’ble CM Shri @ncbn several times over the past decade, films never came up in our discussions. Today, when he affectionately expressed his best wishes for Hari Hara Veera Mallu, I was filled with joy and surprise. His words felt like a sign of success," Pawan Kalyan shared on social media.
He thanked the CM for supporting him in balancing his official duties while allowing space for acting and wishing the film success. The historical action drama has been long-awaited by fans and is set for release soon.
An analyst said the tweets by Naidu and Lokesh could be part of the exercise to prevent any kind of uneasiness between the two communities that might arise due to bad reviews on HHVM.
