The much-awaited Telugu action drama They Call Him OG has finally hit theatres this week. But the first reactions from the audience show that the film has received mixed feedback. Starring Pawan Kalyan in the lead, it was one of the most talked-about releases of the year. This also marks his second film of 2025 after Hari Hara Veera Mallu. With so much hype, expectations were high. To add to the buzz, the makers arranged paid premieres a day before the release, giving fans an early chance to watch it.
They Call Him OG Review: Check What Netizens Are Saying
Directed by Sujeeth, the movie also stars Emraan Hashmi in his Telugu debut as the main villain, along with Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy and Prakash Raj. Fans of Pawan Kalyan rushed to the first shows, but many were not satisfied with what they saw.
Social media was flooded with reviews showing mixed opinions. While some praised Pawan Kalyan’s presence, others criticised the weak story. One user said the plot was mediocre and called the second half lacklustre and too long. Another wrote it was a half-baked movie with emotionless action sequences, adding that even the action failed to impress.
Another viewer compared OG to Sujeeth’s earlier film Saaho, saying it also focused more on style than substance.
Still, a few highlighted how Pawan Kalyan managed to lift even average scenes. One user wrote, “Pawan Kalyan garu has reached the Rajinikanth level in terms of screen presence.”
About the Film
They Call Him OG follows Ojas Gambheera, a dreaded gangster who disappears from Mumbai’s underworld for ten years. On his return, he must reclaim his empire and face Omi Bhau, a rival who took over in his absence. The film explores betrayal, vengeance and redemption as OG tries to balance power while fighting his own demons.
The movie is produced by DVV Danayya under DVV Entertainment. Priyanka Mohan plays Dr Kanmani (OG’s wife). Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy and Prakash Raj add strong support in key roles. Thaman S handles music, Ravi K. Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa are responsible for visuals with editing by Naveen Nooli.
OG has a runtime of 2 hours 34 minutes and carries an A certificate for its intense action and violence. It released worldwide today (September 25) in Telugu. The film has also been dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. After theatrical release, it will stream on Netflix.
