Review: Pawan Kalyan’s ‘They Call Him OG’ Delivers Stylish Action Packed Entertainment for Fans

• Movie: They Call Him OG
• Release Date: September 25, 2025
• Rating: 3.25/5
• Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Emraan Hashmi, Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy, Prakash Raj
• Director: Sujeeth
• Producers: D. V. V. Danayya, Kalyan Dasari
• Music: Thaman S
• Cinematography: Ravi K. Chandran, Manoj Paramahamsa
• Editor: Naveen Nooli

After nearly three years of anticipation, They Call Him OG (OG) finally hits cinemas worldwide. Directed by Sujeeth, this high-octane gangster action drama has created immense hype, featuring Pawan Kalyan as the fierce Ojas Gambheera and Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi making his Telugu debut as the menacing don, Omi Bhau. Set in Mumbai’s crime-filled underworld, the film builds up to a long-awaited showdown between OG and Omi Bhau—a face-off filled with power, vengeance, and style.

Plot Overview

Set in the 1990s, Mumbai’s port is under the control of Satya Dada (Prakash Raj). Mirajkar (Tej Sapru) wants to seize it, and his son Jimmy (Sudhev Nair) creates chaos over a container carrying explosives, killing Satya Dada’s younger son in the process. Omi Bhau (Emraan Hashmi) is behind the container, escalating tensions further. This forces OG, Ojas Gambheera (Pawan Kalyan), long in exile, to return. The film explores OG’s past, his connection with Dada, and the inevitable clash with Omi Bhau.

Highlights

• Pawan Kalyan’s Performance: The star shines in stylish, massy gangster avatars. Action sequences, including the intro fight, interval block, and police station scene, are crafted for fan enjoyment.
• Emraan Hashmi: Makes a strong Telugu debut with style and swagger as Omi Bhau, though his role has limited scope.
• Supporting Cast: Sudhev Nair and Sriya Reddy perform well within restricted screen time.
• Fan Moments: From lengthy title cards, action sequences, and a plethora of Easter eggs, including nods to Saaho-immediately excite the audience.
• Music and Visuals: Thaman's energetic score triples up on many sequences, while cinematographers Ravi K. Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa render the visuals gorgeously well.

Weak Points

• Storyline: The story is predictable and not very strong. Maybe if it had concentrated more on characterizations, it might have held that much more traction with its audience.
• Sluggish Second Half: Slowly paced is the term that best fits the latter half, except for the climax, which is fast-paced.
• Character Developments: Majority of the supporting characters, including Prakash Raj and Priyanka Mohan, lacked development. Emotional moments exist but feel brief.
• Climactic Confrontation: The final showdown between OG and Omi Bhau could have been more intense.

Technical Review

Sujeeth’s direction emphasizes fan-centric portrayal of Pawan Kalyan, though a stronger story would enhance overall impact. Dialogue works in elevation-driven moments. Editing by Naveen Nooli is sharp at times but could be tighter in the second half. Production design convincingly recreates 90s Mumbai, adding richness to the viewing experience.

Verdict

They Call Him OG' is highly visual, with beautiful, action-packed sequences made for Pawan Kalyan fans. The story is run-of-the-mill, some characters are not developed well enough, but the stylish action sequences, fan moments, and high-energy scenes keep the film alive. Sujeeth's love letter to Pawan Kalyan ensures fan entertainment and hence makes OG a must-watch for action lovers.

Bottom Line: The action spectacle with style, swag, and entertainment, made for Pawan Kalyan fans.