They Call Him OG (2025)

They Call Him OG is a high-energy Telugu action crime drama that stormed into cinemas on 25 September 2025 and quickly turned into a major box office success, especially across India. Directed by Sujeeth (of Saaho fame), the film features Power Star Pawan Kalyan in the lead as Ojas Gambheera, also known as OG, a feared mafia leader who disappears from Mumbai’s criminal world for ten years before returning with a bang to reclaim his throne and settle past scores. Produced by DVV Danayya and Kalyan Dasari under the DVV Entertainment banner, the film runs for around 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

After a decade in Japan, where he sharpens his fighting skills and discipline, OG lives a low-key life, far from his violent past. His peace does not last. Old loyalties, buried grudges, and unfinished business drag him back into the underworld.

As OG steps back into Mumbai’s crime scene, he faces broken alliances, brutal street wars, and deep personal betrayals. At the centre of his rage stands Omi Bhau (Emraan Hashmi), a ruthless kingpin who now rules the city with an iron fist. The story tracks OG’s path of payback and redemption, set against the harsh backdrop of organised crime. Expect intense set pieces, bold confrontations, and a revenge story that leans heavily on style and action.

Cast and Crew Highlights

• Pawan Kalyan as Ojas “OG” Gambheera: Brings a strong, smouldering presence to the anti-hero at the heart of the story.
• Emraan Hashmi as Omi Bhau: Plays the polished yet menacing villain, adding a Bollywood flavour to this Telugu blockbuster.
• Priyanka Arul Mohan: Takes on the main female role, adding emotional weight and balance to OG’s violent world.
• Supporting cast: Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy, and Prakash Raj appear in key supporting roles and leave a clear impact.
• Music: Thaman S provides a pulsating background score that keeps the tension and energy high.
• Cinematography: The visuals highlight Mumbai’s neon-soaked nights and chaotic streets with stylish, punchy framing.

The film was released in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil, with English subtitles available, which helped it reach a wider audience in India and abroad.

Reception and Box Office

Reviews have been mixed. Many critics applaud the spectacle, Pawan Kalyan’s screen presence, and the action-heavy approach, but some point to patchy pacing and limited emotional depth. On IMDb, the film sits at 6.1/10. The Times of India critics rate it 3.0/5, calling it “action-packed yet narratively uneven”, while audience scores on the same platform hover around 3.9/5. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has drawn attention as a pulpy revenge thriller with stylish violence.

At the box office, They Call Him OG opened to huge numbers. Early reports suggest that day one worldwide collections crossed ₹100 crore, driven largely by Pawan Kalyan’s massive fanbase and strong pre-release hype. Fan activity on social media surged, helped by a collaboration with AI platform Once More. A linked challenge went viral and reportedly pulled in 1 million users in only 42 hours.

Plot: Revenge Across Mumbai and Tokyo

At its heart, They Call Him OG is a revenge saga wrapped in a familiar gangster setup. Pawan Kalyan plays Ojas Gambheera, or “OG”, a once-dreaded Mumbai don who fades from sight after a devastating betrayal from within his own circle.

He spends years in Tokyo, training in underground dojos and sharpening his combat skills, waiting for the right moment. When he finally returns to Mumbai, he is a changed man, colder and more controlled, but driven by the same fire. OG moves through the shadows, taking apart the criminal syndicate that ruined him, and aims straight at those who planned his downfall.

Performances: Pawan Kalyan in Full Command

Pawan Kalyan dominates nearly every scene he is in. His OG is a mix of calm menace and quiet hurt, a man who has seen too much and lost even more. Political speeches are gone; what remains is a hardened fighter with a sharp gaze and a heavy past.

His salt-and-pepper look, scars, and worn frame suggest a veteran who has survived both battles and betrayals. The action sequences play to his strengths. Knife fights feel grounded and physical, with quick, clean choreography. Many stunts rely on his presence rather than obvious CGI tricks, which keeps the fights more believable and engaging for viewers.

Direction and Technical Bravado: Sujeeth’s Stylish Approach

Sujeeth, known for the scale of Saaho, appears more controlled here, while still keeping his flair for spectacle. The focus stays tighter on OG and his warpath, yet the film never feels small.

The director creates a cross-continental crime universe, where Mumbai’s wet, crowded lanes clash with Tokyo’s glowing streets and cramped training halls. The influence of films like The Raid can be felt in certain indoor fight stretches, where the action becomes claustrophobic and relentless. Quick cuts, bold angles, and sharp production design help the film stand out visually, even when the story sticks to familiar gangster beats.

The Verdict: Fan-Pleasing Action With Limited Depth

They Call Him OG is very much a Pawan Kalyan showcase, packed with slow-motion entries, punchy dialogues, and crowd-pleasing action. It does not hide its love for excess. Blood, style, and swagger are front and centre, while emotional layers stay fairly thin.

Commercially, the film has delivered in a big way. It collected over ₹800 crore worldwide and placed itself as the eighth highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. Strong support from Telugu audiences and decent performance in dubbed versions helped it reach this mark.

Critical opinion remains divided. Rotten Tomatoes sits at around 45%, with many praising the action and visual style but criticising the use of common genre clichés and predictable plot turns. On fan forums and social platforms, viewer ratings average around 3.5/5, with many praising its “whistle-worthy” scenes, heroic moments, and mass appeal, even if the story does not stay with them for long.

Trending:

12A Railway Colony (2025): Reinvention Steals the Rails