Vishwambhara Takes Risky Decision: Another Backfire?

The decision to bring Hari Gowra on board for the background score of Chiranjeevi’s Vishwambhara while retaining MM Keeravani only for the songs has become a major talking point in Tollywood.

Keeravani is widely regarded as one of Indian cinema’s finest composers, and background scoring has always been one of his biggest strengths. His work in SS Rajamouli’s films played a huge role in creating emotional depth and cinematic scale, especially in films like Chatrapathi, Baahubali, and RRR. That is why many were surprised by the decision.

At the same time, the makers appear to be taking a different creative approach. Hari Gowra has earned recognition in the fantasy and mythological genre through films like Hanu Man and Mirai. His style is seen as more energetic and modern, and the team reportedly believes it suits the visual tone of Vishwambhara better. Considering the film’s fantasy-heavy setting, the move does have some logic behind it.

Still, it remains a risky call. In a film driven by VFX and fantasy elements, background music becomes the emotional backbone. A strong score can elevate the world-building, while a weak one can reduce the impact of even the biggest visual moments. Naturally, comparisons with Keeravani are unavoidable.

Whether this turns out to be a bold creative decision or a big mistake will only become clear after release. If Hari Gowra delivers a powerful score, the makers will be praised for taking a fresh approach. But if the music fails to create the required impact, the backlash will be intense. The film is already facing zero hype after the negative response to its teaser, which means the team can hardly afford more creative missteps from here.

With Vishwambhara already under pressure due to VFX discussions and delayed updates, the music now carries even more responsibility. The makers are reportedly finalizing the updated visuals, and a screening for Chiranjeevi is expected soon as the film targets a Dussehra 2026 release.