As Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming film Hari Hara Veera Mallu gears up for its July 24th release, the hype surrounding the film has reached fever pitch.
In an interesting revelation, director Jyothi Krishna shared that he drew inspiration from legendary actors NTR and MGR while crafting Pawan Kalyan’s character in the film.
The filmmaker explained that Pawan’s trailblazing qualities reminded him of the iconic personas of NTR and MGR, motivating him to write a role that reflects similar attributes.
According to Jyothi Krishna, Pawan’s onscreen persona in Hari Hara Veera Mallu was deliberately shaped to align with his public image—as a virtuous, strong, and people-oriented leader.
The director noted that even after becoming Chief Minister, MGR continued to act in films filled with message-driven and morally upright themes.
“I was inspired by that aspect and composed a powerful, thought-provoking song titled ‘Maata Vinali’ for the film. Its message—to embrace positivity and righteousness—reflects Pawan’s ideology. The song resonated deeply with audiences,” he said.
Similarly, some of NTR’s most celebrated roles were in mythological and folklore films, where his portrayals of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna became iconic.
“NTR garu’s depiction of Lord Rama with a bow and arrow symbolized power and the commitment to uphold dharma. I drew from that imagery and designed a similar bow and arrow for Pawan garu in Hari Hara Veera Mallu, which is also a period film. These weapons represent his strength and readiness to fight for justice,” the director explained.
Jyothi Krishna added that while writing the script, he realized audiences view Pawan more as a leader than just a hero. “So, I wanted every scene to feel special and impactful, elevating the story throughout.”
