It has been five days since the release of Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit, starring Pawan Kalyan in his pan-Indian debut. While expectations were sky-high, the film received a mixed response, particularly for its VFX and pacing.
In response to the feedback, director Jyothi Krishna and the production team acted swiftly, introducing a re-edited version of the film now screening in theatres. The revised cut aims to tighten the narrative, enhance pacing, and improve the overall viewer experience.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s changed in the new version:
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Post-interval scene, featuring Pawan Kalyan and his men riding along a cliff, has been trimmed and re-paced for better flow.
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The controversial “flag scene”, criticized for its distorted visual of Pawan Kalyan, has been completely removed from the film.
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An arrow-firing action sequence has been subtly modified to enhance its cinematic impact.
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Major changes were made to the climax, with several face-off shots and a cyclone sequence cut down. The film now ends more crisply with Bobby Deol’s line, “Aandhi Vachesindhi.”
In total, 10 to 15 minutes of footage have been removed, making the updated version tighter and faster-paced. Early audience reactions suggest that the revised version feels more engaging than the original.
However, it’s a critical week ahead. With bookings still modest even on Monday, it remains to be seen whether these edits can revive audience interest and bring back footfall to theatres.
