TL;DR: They Call Him OG, starring Pawan Kalyan and directed by Sujeeth, released worldwide on September 25, 2025, in five languages. The film showcases Kalyan in a stylish gangster role with high-octane action, strong visuals, and major fan appeal. While critics praise the lead performance and technical quality, they note the story is predictable and lacks emotional depth. It's a major hit with fans but seen as average by general audiences.
Release and Reception
- They Call Him OG released worldwide on September 25, 2025, in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam.
- Directed by Sujeeth and starring Pawan Kalyan as OG (Ojas Gambheera), a gangster returning from exile to reclaim his city.
- The film opened to packed theaters and strong fan reactions, with projected Day 1 box office exceeding ₹150 crore.
What Worked
- Pawan Kalyan’s performance is widely praised; critics call it one of his best in recent years.
- Action sequences, especially the police station fight and interval block, were highlighted as standout moments.
- Strong technical aspects include Thaman S.’s background score and cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa.
- Emraan Hashmi makes his Telugu debut as villain Omi Bhau; Prakash Raj and others support well.
What Didn’t Work
- The story is considered predictable, relying on standard gangster revenge themes with limited emotional impact.
- Supporting characters are underdeveloped; antagonist lacks depth.
- Pacing issues in the second half, with some viewers calling it repetitive and emotionally flat.
- Critics note the film caters heavily to fans, with little for neutral audiences.
Critical Response
- 123Telugu rated it 3.25/5, praising action but noting predictability.
- India Today gave 2.5/5, calling it “swag overload.”
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10.
- Hindustan Times described it as a “love letter to Pawan Kalyan fans.”
- Fan reactions were strong; one premiere in Bengaluru saw fans damage a screen out of excitement.
Overall Verdict
- Rating: 3/5
- A major fan event and visual spectacle with powerful action, but limited story depth. Appealing mostly to Pawan Kalyan’s fanbase.