Pawan Kalyan: History Glorified the Mughals but Ignored Our Great Kings

At the grand success meet of Hari Hara Veera Mallu held on Thursday night at Daspalla Hotel, Hyderabad, Deputy CM of Andhra Pradesh and lead actor Pawan Kalyan delivered a powerful speech, addressing historical narratives, cultural pride, and the intent behind the film.

“History often underplays the contributions of Indian rulers like the Kakatiyas, Krishnadevaraya, and Rani Rudrama Devi while glorifying Mughal emperors such as Babur and Akbar. Aurangzeb’s ruthless rule — his oppression and the imposition of the Jizya tax — hasn’t been highlighted enough. Through Hari Hara Veera Mallu, we made a conscious effort to showcase the dark days Hindus faced under Aurangzeb and portray both the good and bad of the Mughal empire,” Pawan Kalyan said.

He emphasized that cinema is a powerful medium to influence society. “Like Shankarabharanam once reintroduced audiences to the greatness of Indian classical music, this film aims to remind people of India’s cultural depth. Movies can change thought processes, evoke emotions, and connect audiences with their roots,” he added.

Responding to political criticism and boycott calls, Pawan said, “Some want to boycott my films. I am least bothered. If my cinema scares them this much, it means we’ve created something impactful. My true strength comes from my fans. When the enemy attacks fiercely, we must respond with double the strength.”

Revealing that Hari Hara Veera Mallu Part 2 has already completed 20% of its shoot, Pawan expressed gratitude to producer A.M. Ratnam, art director Thota Tharani, and People’s Media’s Vishwa Prasad for their support. “This project demanded immense effort. I worked tirelessly for the promotions — more than I did for any film in my 28-year career — because I wanted to support a passionate producer like A.M. Ratnam,” he said.

Concluding, Pawan said, “India’s heritage — our dharma, Vedas, Upanishads, and timeless knowledge — is more valuable than the Kohinoor diamond. That essence is what we wanted to present through Hari Hara Veera Mallu. I thank the audience for embracing this film and promise to continue this journey of bringing meaningful stories to the screen.”