They Call Him OG – Review and Detailed Analysis
They Call Him OG is a Telugu gangster action drama that released worldwide on September 25, 2025. Director Sujeeth created the film, and producer D. V. V. Danayya backed it under DVV Entertainment. The movie stars Pawan Kalyan in the lead role, and it introduces Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi to Telugu cinema. Priyanka Mohan plays the female lead, while Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy, and Prakash Raj support the story with strong roles.
The film follows a gangster named Ojas Gambheera, also called OG. He returns to Mumbai after ten years and enters a world full of crime, betrayal, and violence. He faces a deadly rival named Omi Bhau, played by Emraan Hashmi. The story sets up a clash between two powerful men, one trying to reclaim his past and the other trying to protect his empire.
What Works in the Film
Pawan Kalyan’s Aura
The biggest strength of the movie is Pawan Kalyan. The actor owns every scene with his charisma and confidence. He brings energy to the screen and lifts even weak scenes with his presence. His fans get everything they expect – stylish entrances, powerful dialogues, and thrilling fight sequences.
Action and Style
Director Sujeeth designed the action to excite fans. The film has slow-motion shots, large set pieces, and elevation scenes that create whistle-worthy moments. The action does not look raw or realistic; instead, it looks grand and cinematic. Fans love this style, and it suits the mass appeal of the film.
Technical Aspects
The film’s visuals shine. Cinematographers Ravi K. Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa captured stylish frames. Editor Naveen Nooli kept the pace tight in most parts. Thaman S gave the film a strong background score. His music lifts every big moment. The songs also connect well with the audience inside the theater.
Fan Service
The makers built the movie as a celebration of Pawan Kalyan. Every second scene carries a reference, gesture, or line aimed at his fan base. For fans, this feels like a festival. People in theaters celebrate, throw confetti, play drums, and dance. The film works like an event more than just a drama.
What Does Not Work
Weak Story
The main weakness lies in the story. The plot feels predictable and simple. We have seen gangster dramas with the same themes before: a return after many years, revenge, clashes between rivals, and a fight for survival. The writing does not offer anything new.
Underwritten Characters
The secondary characters do not get proper development. Priyanka Mohan plays her part well but her role feels limited. Other characters come and go without leaving a lasting impact. Even Emraan Hashmi, though strong, could have had more layers to his role.
Pacing Issues
The first half builds excitement with big hero moments and powerful action. The second half struggles. The scenes rush forward without proper depth. Some moments feel abrupt, and the emotional connection weakens. The climax feels grand, but it does not carry the weight it should have.
Style Over Substance
The movie depends heavily on style. It shows blood, fights, and mass visuals but does not dig deep into emotions or relationships. For some viewers, this works. For others who want a gripping gangster story, it feels hollow.
Limited Appeal
Fans of Pawan Kalyan celebrate every scene. But people who do not follow him may not enjoy the film in the same way. The movie caters more to the fan base than to a wider audience.
Performances
- Pawan Kalyan steals the show. His swag, dialogue delivery, and action timing create a storm on screen.
- Emraan Hashmi delivers a solid performance as Omi Bhau. He looks menacing and holds his ground opposite Pawan. Many viewers call his role one of the highlights.
- Priyanka Mohan looks good but gets limited screen time.
- Arjun Das and Sriya Reddy bring intensity, though their roles deserved more space.
- Prakash Raj adds weight as usual, but the writing does not give him enough to shine.
Box Office Performance
The movie opened to huge numbers. On premiere day alone, it earned around 23 crore rupees in India, the highest ever for a premiere in the country. Advance bookings crossed 90 crore worldwide even before release. Reports suggest the film might touch 150 crore globally within the first day itself.
The film also performed strongly in North America, becoming the highest-grossing Telugu movie of 2025 on its very first day. Occupancy in Indian theaters touched 70 percent in the morning shows, with evening shows running houseful.
However, the release also faced hurdles. Several overseas shows got canceled at the last minute because of content delivery issues. In Bengaluru, fan celebrations went out of control when one person tore a theater screen with a knife. These incidents show both the craze and the chaos around the film.
Despite such turbulence, the film’s commercial run looks strong because of the star factor and festival-like atmosphere created by fans.
Latest Reactions
Fans on social media call the film a one-man show. They shower praise on Pawan Kalyan and appreciate Emraan Hashmi’s villain role. Many celebrities, including Ram Charan and Chiranjeevi, call the release a festival for fans. Director Harish Shankar also praised Pawan’s aura, calling it “beyond stardom.”
At the same time, critics share mixed views. Some highlight the stylish action and powerful hero moments. Others point out that the story feels thin and the second half does not carry enough weight.
Broader Significance
The film shows how Telugu cinema continues to make fan-first movies. These movies focus more on building the hero’s image than on deep storytelling. For Pawan Kalyan, OG works as a comeback after mixed responses to his earlier films. It proves his star power still pulls massive crowds.
The film also hints at possible connections to a larger cinematic universe. Director Sujeeth included references to his earlier film Saaho, raising speculation that he wants to build a shared world across his projects.
Digital rights went to Netflix. The film will likely stream there around late October 2025. Its performance on streaming will show whether the hype goes beyond theaters.
Final Verdict
They Call Him OG stands tall as a film built for fans. It delivers grand visuals, mass moments, and non-stop action. Pawan Kalyan shines, and Emraan Hashmi impresses. The film entertains when you watch it as a star vehicle.
But the weak story, rushed second half, and lack of emotional depth stop it from reaching greatness. Non-fans may find it flashy but shallow.
In the end, OG works best when you watch it as a festival of Pawan Kalyan’s charisma. For fans, it feels like a dream. For others, it offers style, spectacle, and action, but not much beyond that.
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