Movie Name : They Call Him OG
Release Date : Sep 25, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Pawan Kalyan, Emraan Hashmi, Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy, Prakash Raj and Others
Director : Sujeeth
Producers : D. V. V. Danayya, Kalyan Dasari
Music Director : Thaman S
Cinematographer : Ravi K. Chandran, Manoj Paramahamsa
Editor : Naveen Nooli
Related Links : Trailer
After nearly three years of anticipation, the wait is finally over as Pawan Kalyan’s high-octane action-gangster drama They Call Him OG, simply known as OG, storms into cinemas worldwide with grand premieres tonight. Directed by Sujeeth in his third outing, the film has generated immense buzz, not only for featuring Pawan Kalyan as the fierce Ojas Gambheera but also for marking Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi’s Telugu debut as the ruthless don Omi Bhau. Set in the blood-soaked streets of Mumbai, the story builds to a much-awaited face-off between OG and Omi Bhau, a clash of power and vengeance that has fans everywhere on edge. Check out our review to see if this larger-than-life showdown lives up to the hype.
Story:
Set in the 90s, Satya Dada (Prakash Raj) owns a port in Mumbai. Powerful person Mirajkar (Tej Sapru) wants to take it over and rule Mumbai. His younger son Jimmy (Sudhev Nair) creates havoc over a missing container in the port, which contains deadly explosives. He kills numerous people, including the younger son of Satya Dada. The bigger twist is that Omi Bhau (Emraan Hashmi) sends the container and wants it at any cost. Situations spiral out of control, and everyone wants OG, Ojas Gambheera (Pawan Kalyan), to return to Mumbai, where he has been in exile for years. Who is Ojas Gambheera? What is his relationship with Dada? Why is he in exile? What is his backstory? What is Omi’s plan and who is he? What happens next is the story you see on the big screen.
Plus Points:
Firstly, a big thanks to the director for showcasing Pawan Kalyan in a classy yet massy gangster avatar. He designs his character very well in terms of looks, giving fans a solid reason to love him to the core.
Pawan Kalyan is superb in the action sequences. The introduction fight, interval block, police station scene, and some action blocks in the second half are purely fan stuff. All are designed well to please fans, and Sujeeth and his team succeed in delivering them.
Emraan Hashmi, in his Telugu cinema debut, brings style and swag to his role and performs adequately, though his scope is limited. Sudhev Nair performs well and leaves a mark despite being restricted to the first half. Sriya Reddy is neat in the space she is given.
OG offers plenty of fan moments. The title card itself is outstanding. The action blocks impress, and when Kalyan holds the katana and swings it, it is hard to sit silently. Several clues and Easter eggs drop, creating enthusiasm among fans of Saaho as well (yes, what you are thinking is true).
Thaman is in rampage mode and adds immense value to many scenes. DOP Ravi K. Chandran is another pillar of the film, with fantastic visuals that bring vibrancy to every frame.
Minus Points:
While it is satisfying to see Pawan Kalyan as fans desire, nothing stands above the story. A strong narrative is more important than style and scale, and OG misses that. The storyline is not only weak but also predictable. Sujeeth could elevate it through tighter execution but falls short.
The second half carries more dull moments than the first, with only the climax standing out to keep enthusiasm alive. Though Sujeeth shows his touch in the screenplay, a stronger story would carry the film overall.
Several characters, including Prakash Raj, Sriya Reddy, Arjun Das, and Priyanka Mohan, lack proper arcs to make them memorable. The emotional scenes between Kalyan and Priyanka are watchable, but restricting them to a few moments disappoints.
The confrontations between Pawan Kalyan and Emraan Hashmi could have been designed with more intensity. The climax works but is not particularly exciting.
Technical Aspects:
Director Sujeeth’s vision of presenting his favourite actor, Pawan Kalyan, exactly as fans want is successfully achieved. However, more focus on a compelling story could enhance the overall impact. Dialogues are decent and work well in elevation-driven moments.
Cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa is on another level, adding richness to the storytelling. Thaman’s outstanding score elevates many sequences to another league, giving fans more reason to enjoy. Editing by Naveen Nooli is sharp in places but could be tighter in the second half. Production values are superb, with no expense spared to recreate the Bombay setting.
Verdict:
On the whole, They Call Him OG is Sujeeth’s love letter to Pawan Kalyan and a showcase of his fanism towards the actor. Though the story is ordinary, Pawan Kalyan carries it with his style, swag, and action. The action blocks surely enthral fans. On the downside, the underdeveloped characters, predictable storyline, and family-unfriendly tone act as hurdles. OG is a feast for fans. One can enjoy it for its many high points and for watching Pawan Kalyan in a vintage look with powerful action sequences. Watch this actioner, and you are entertained.
123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team