Pawan Kalyan’s “They Call Him OG” (OG) is a Telugu action-gangster drama helmed by Sujeeth and released globally on September 25, 2025. The film stars Pawan Kalyan as Ojas Gambheera (OG), Emraan Hashmi as the antagonist Omi Bhau (in his Telugu debut), with Priyanka Mohan, Prakash Raj, Arjun Das, and Sriya Reddy in key roles. Backing this power-packed cast are producer D. V. V. Danayya, music composer Thaman S, cinematographers Ravi K. Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa, and editor Naveen Nooli, all contributing to the film’s high production value.
The plot kicks off in the 90s Mumbai underworld. Satya Dada (Prakash Raj) finds himself pitted against Mirajkar (Tej Sapru), whose son Jimmy causes bloodshed at a port over a missing container of explosives. The powerful Omi Bhau (Emraan Hashmi) orchestrates this chaos and seeks the deadly cargo back. In crisis, everyone looks to Ojas Gambheera—a mysterious, exiled gangster and Satya Dada’s former right hand. The narrative centers around OG’s return, his connections to Dada and Mumbai’s criminal roots, his battle against Omi Bhau, and how he strives to restore order amid betrayals and carnage.
Pawan Kalyan is the soul of “OG,” delivering a magnetic performance that blends style, power, and mass appeal in equal measure. His introduction, action blocks, and mannerisms are designed to electrify fans, and he excels in each. Emraan Hashmi brings charisma and flair to his villainous role, though the script limits his scope. Supporting actors like Arjun Das and Sriya Reddy make strong impressions, while Priyanka Mohan is engaging in a role that could have been more developed.
Technically, the film shines through Thaman S’s rousing score, which heightens every elevation and action set-piece. Cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa is visually rich, capturing stylized violence and grandeur. Editing by Naveen Nooli keeps the pace crisp in explosive sequences, though the second half slows down. Lavish production and vibrant visuals make the underworld of Mumbai both authentic and operatic.
Highlights include Pawan Kalyan’s massy gangster avatar, the engaging action blocks, and Thaman’s energetic background music. The film is peppered with fan-serving moments, clever Easter eggs, and set pieces designed for maximum theatrical impact. Scenes involving the katana and OG’s return are particularly memorable, as are the visual flourishes in the action stretches.
However, “OG” falters with its thin, predictable storyline and underdeveloped character arcs. The emotional core, particularly involving family and relationships, is only touched on, not fully explored. The intensity of the Pawan Kalyan–Emraan Hashmi conflict doesn’t reach its potential. The second half’s pacing suffers, and the film leans heavily on style rather than substance.
At its core, “OG” is a highly stylized vehicle for Pawan Kalyan’s screen presence and fan service. While it dazzles with kinetic action and visual glam, it is let down by conventional writing and emotional moments that do not fully land. Director Sujeeth succeeds in giving die-hard fans what they crave, but the film’s broader appeal is limited by its focus on elevation over narrative depth.
Bottom Line: “They Call Him OG” is a stylish, high-voltage action drama tailor-made for Pawan Kalyan’s fans. It excels in presentation, action, and fan-centric moments but is held back by a routine story and lack of emotional heft. A treat for Power Star devotees, but just average for others.
Rating: 3/5.
