Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG has been one of the most anticipated Telugu films in recent times. From the moment of its announcement, the movie attracted massive hype, and excitement reached new heights with the release of its first look teaser in September 2023, coinciding with the star’s birthday.
Directed by Sujeeth, a self-confessed admirer of Pawan Kalyan, the expectations naturally skyrocketed. Fans were particularly eager since it’s been a while since the actor appeared in an original, contemporary film. Advance booking numbers spoke volumes – Times Now reported that pre-release sales crossed ₹50 crore internationally, a record-breaking figure compared to his previous projects. The film’s premiere shows in the U.S. confirmed the craze, with packed theatres full of Telugu audiences.
Story
They Call Him OG is a stylish gangster-action drama set across two gritty landscapes—Japan and Mumbai. The story revolves around Satya Dada (Prakash Raj), a port owner in Mumbai, whose family becomes a target when a Middle Eastern mafia attempts to smuggle explosives. The responsibility to protect them falls on Ojas Gambheera (played by Pawan Kalyan), a mysterious Japanese warrior who has been living in exile for over 15 years. His dramatic return to Mumbai sets off a series of action-packed sequences where he takes on international mafia lords and safeguards Satya’s family honor.
Performances
Pawan Kalyan once again proves why he enjoys such mass appeal. His effortless charisma, unique style, and screen presence elevate the film. Even simple gestures, like adjusting a belt mid-walk, drew loud whistles from fans in theatres. His performance, especially during the police station sequence in the second half, is one of the film’s high points. While his emotional scenes lacked the same punch, his swagger and attitude more than compensated.
Emraan Hashmi, as the antagonist, delivered a solid performance, but his character arc could have been written with more depth. Priyanka Mohan, though limited by screen time, made an impression. Prakash Raj brought gravitas to his role, while Sriya Reddy and Arjun Das added weight to key sequences, though their characters too could have benefitted from stronger writing.
Behind the scenes
One of the biggest highlights of They Call Him OG is its technical excellence. Thaman’s background score is electrifying, boosting the impact of nearly every major scene. Cinematographers Ravi K. Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa deliver stunning visuals, making the film look grand and authentic. The production design and overall aesthetic perfectly match the mafia-action tone.
Editing by Naveen Nooli, however, feels slightly uneven. While certain scenes are crisp, others—particularly repetitive action blocks—could have been trimmed to maintain better pacing. That said, the production values from DVV Entertainment are top-notch and ensure the film looks lavish throughout.
Final Verdict
The film’s second half stands out, especially a gripping 20–25 minute stretch that brings together Pawan Kalyan’s larger-than-life screen presence, Thaman’s music at its best, and Sujeeth’s stylish execution. Another standout is the climax action block involving a gun named ‘Johnny,’ where Sujeeth creatively blends nostalgic fan elements with fresh execution. These high moments are perfectly designed for theatres and are bound to make audiences revisit the film multiple times.
While the film excels in stylish presentation and mass-appeal moments, its storytelling occasionally feels routine. The conflict between Ojas Gambheera and the antagonist lacks depth, and certain emotional subplots feel underdeveloped. The reliance on action and hero elevation means the emotional connection is sometimes missing.
They Call Him OG thrives on Pawan Kalyan’s magnetic presence, five brilliantly executed mass moments, Thaman’s pulsating score, and breathtaking visuals. Though the writing could have been sharper, especially in emotional arcs, the film remains a solid commercial entertainer.
For Pawan Kalyan fans, this is a celebration and a film worth watching multiple times in theatres. For general audiences, it’s a stylish action drama that offers plenty of high points, even if it falls short of being a classic.
✅ Final Rating: A stylish, power-packed commercial entertainer with flaws—yet a must-watch for Pawan Kalyan admirers.
