Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG (or simply OG) burst into cinemas on September 25, 2025, amid enormous fanfare, anticipation, and high expectations. Directed by Sujeeth and featuring Emraan Hashmi in his Telugu‐debut villain role, the film promised a return to mass gangster drama with swagger. But does it live up to its hype? After watching and analyzing early reactions, box office numbers, and critiques, OG turns out to be a mixed bag—high on style and mass moments, lower on narrative strength and emotional depth.
Story & Premise
OG is set in 1990s Mumbai (Bombay). Pawan Kalyan plays Ojas Gambheera, known by the moniker “OG.” After a mysterious 10‐year absence, OG returns to Bombay with one goal: settle old scores with Omi Bhau, a ruthless crime boss played by Emraan Hashmi. The story builds up through OG’s re‐entry into the gangster world, rivalries, betrayals, and violent confrontations. Alongside the action, there are elements of family drama, love (with Priyanka Arul Mohan as Kanmani), and power dynamics.
What Works (Strengths)
Pawan Kalyan’s Aura and Star Power
From the title card and intro scenes, Pawan Kalyan dominates the screen. His charisma, style, and fan worship moments (“elevation” sequences) are perhaps the film’s biggest strength. Many early reviewers and audience responses say that these are the parts that deliver big thrills.
Emraan Hashmi as the Villain
Emraan Hashmi in the antagonist role (Omi Bhau / Omi Bhav) gets praised for his menacing screen presence. For many, he is the “show stopper”—giving Pawan a strong counterweight. His villainous scenes are often cited as highlights.
Technical Brilliance: Style, Music & Action
Visually, OG is impressive. Cinematography, production design, fight choreography, and Thaman’s background score (BGM) are considered strong. The film has moody lighting, period details, and high production values. Action scenes, especially around the intro, interval block, and certain set pieces post‐interval, are well‐crafted.
Mass Moments and Fan Service
Designed with the fans in mind, OG packs “whistle‐worthy” moments, dramatic entrances, slow motion shots, stylized action, and cues for audience cheering. For Pawan’s fanbase, many of these work very well. These sequences manage to evoke excitement and deliver the larger‐than‐life feeling.
Box Office & Hype
The film’s advance bookings and premiere numbers are record‐breaking for Pawan Kalyan. Worldwide advance booking (including paid previews) is reported at about ₹98 crore, with India contributing ~₹65 crore of that. Paid previews alone earned over ₹23 crore. The film broke Pawan Kalyan’s previous records.
What Doesn’t Work (Weaknesses)
Weak & Predictable Plot
Many reviews point out that the story is formulaic: gangster returns, conflict with rival, family ties etc., but lacking surprises. The plot progression, especially in the second half, is critiqued for being predictable and failing to build up to a satisfying emotional or logical payoff. Some “elevation” or mass scenes feel disconnected because their setup isn’t strong.
Second Half Pacing Issues
While the first half has strong moments (intro, the interval block), the second half is said to falter. Several critics say it loses momentum, becomes uneven, with too many filler moments and weak dramatic arcs. Emotional stakes are not maintained, and some fights/emotions feel less grounded.
Lack of Emotional Depth or Originality
The film has style, but many say it lacks real emotional weight. Characters other than OG and Omi Bhav aren’t strongly developed. Writing is seen as lacking originality: some scenes seem inserted just for grandeur rather than narrative necessity. For audiences who want more than hero moments, OG may feel lacking.
Underwhelming Villain Setup in Some Parts
Although Emraan Hashmi is praised, some reviews mention that his character’s buildup could have been better. The threat level, backstory, motivations are not always fleshed out, which weakens the tension.
Technical & VFX Lapses
Despite strong visuals in many areas, some critics and audiences noticed flaws in VFX or visual consistency. Also, dialogues or dubbing in certain scenes were a distraction.
Overall Impression
They Call Him OG is a film made for Pawan Kalyan fans. It delivers on mass, style, swagger, and has some strong performances—especially from the leads. If you go into it expecting high drama, tight storytelling, or a novelty in gangster narratives, you might come away disappointed. But if you want action, power moments, spectacle, and fan service, OG has enough to offer.
Rating (roughly): 3.5 / 5 for fans; 2.5–3 / 5 for general audience who demands solid plot and character depth.
Should You Watch It?
If you’re a fan of Pawan Kalyan, or of larger‐than‐life Telugu gangster dramas, OG is probably worth your ticket (especially on big screen). The intro, fight blocks, and music will give you thrills. But for someone looking for tight pacing, strong emotional storytelling, or innovation—this film might feel more style than substance.
What the Hype Built and What It Delivered
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Hype metrics: Massive advance bookings, paid previews, social media promos (e.g. “Hungry Cheetah” teaser) built sky‐high expectations.
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Delivery: In terms of mass moments, visuals, and star power—it largely delivers. But narrative coherence, character arcs, originality are the lagging parts.
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Box Office Opening: Strong. Record paid premieres, huge fan turnout, early reviews (while mixed) praise the entertainment quotient, so early commercial success seems nearly assured.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the genre of OG?
OG is primarily a gangster action thriller with elements of drama and martial arts.
Is OG based on a true story?
No, OG is a fictional story inspired by the 1990s Mumbai gangster era.
How is Pawan Kalyan’s performance in OG?
Pawan Kalyan delivers a charismatic and intense performance that drives the film.
Does OG have good action scenes?
Yes, the film features well-choreographed martial arts and gunfight sequences with a focus on style.
Is OG suitable for family viewing?
OG is rated for adult audiences due to graphic violence and intense action scenes.
How is Emraan Hashmi’s debut in Telugu cinema?
Emraan Hashmi impresses as the villain, adding a strong adversarial presence.
Are there any standout songs or music tracks in the film?
The background score by Thaman S is powerful and enhances the movie’s mood, though the film does not rely heavily on songs.
Does OG appeal to general audiences or just fans of Pawan Kalyan?
The film primarily caters to Pawan Kalyan’s fanbase; general audiences may find it less engaging.
Final Thoughts
OG doesn’t reinvent the gangster genre; instead, it doubles down on what Telugu mass cinema fans love: swagger, strong hero intro, stylized violence, and musical punch. If you watch it with your expectations tuned to spectacle and fan fare, you’ll get entertainment. But if you’re seeking a film with deep characters, unique plot paths, and emotional resonance throughout, this one will feel flawed.
For Pawan Kalyan, OG is possibly one of his better recent outings—not because it is flawless, but because it reminds us what he can still do when the scale is right. Emraan Hashmi is a worthy villain. The technical teams (cinematography, music, action) mostly do their jobs well. Just know: the engine is loud, stylish—and sometimes rough around the edges.
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