Hyderabad, September 25, 2025 – Power Star Pawan Kalyan is back with a bang! His much-anticipated Telugu action-crime thriller They Call Him OG has unleashed mayhem at the global box office, storming past ₹150 crore on its very first day. Directed by Sujeeth and produced by DVV Entertainment, the film marks not just a comeback but a record-breaking triumph, setting new benchmarks in Tollywood and beyond.
With paid premieres on September 24 across India and North America building the frenzy, the film’s official release today cemented its position as one of the biggest openers in Indian cinema history.
The Film: A Gangster Saga of Power, Betrayal, and Revenge
Set in the gritty underworld of 1990s Mumbai, They Call Him OG follows the journey of Ojas Gambheera (Pawan Kalyan)—once a feared gangster, now a man in exile. After vanishing for a decade, he returns with one mission: to annihilate the empire of his former ally-turned-rival, Omi Bhau (Emraan Hashmi, in a fierce Telugu debut).
The story unravels with explosive confrontations at Mumbai’s ports, power struggles led by Satya Dada (Prakash Raj), and a deadly chase for missing arms shipments that ignite gang wars. Loyalties break, old wounds resurface, and whispers echo through the city’s underbelly: “Call OG back.”
Blending stylish action, raw emotion, and larger-than-life drama, Sujeeth’s screenplay crafts OG’s bloody path of vengeance as both a personal reckoning and a war for dominance. With high-octane visuals, Thaman’s electrifying background score, and grand production values (₹250 crore budget), the film is designed as a pan-India spectacle, releasing in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Box Office Carnage: Records Shattered
They Call Him OG didn’t just open—it exploded.
- Worldwide Gross: ₹150+ crore on Day 1.
- India: ₹40+ crore (including ₹16 crore from premieres in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana).
- North America: ₹25 crore (USD 3 million), smashing all Pawan Kalyan records.
- Advance Bookings: ₹98 crore before release.
The film surpassed Pawan Kalyan’s Hari Hara Veera Mallu opening and outpaced Pushpa 2 in premiere numbers, making it one of the Top 5 Indian Openers of All Time. Fans transformed theaters into festival zones—dancing in aisles, bursting firecrackers, and chanting “OG! OG!” as screenings turned into celebrations.
Critical Buzz: Mass Mania with a Few Cracks
Reviews highlight They Call Him OG as a fan feast and a mass entertainer:
- Pawan Kalyan: Commanding screen presence, martial arts swag, and a magnetic OG persona hailed as a “solid comeback.”
- Emraan Hashmi: The “showstopper” villain Omi Bhau—deadly, menacing, and unforgettable.
- Action & Music: Breathtaking stunts and Thaman’s “ferocious, goosebump-inducing” score elevate the experience.
Critics, however, point out pacing issues in the first half, overloaded introductions, and a screenplay that sometimes prioritizes fan service over emotional depth. Some compared it to Saaho for its “logic-defying spectacle,” while others praised its “paisa vasool” mass appeal.
The film ends with a cliffhanger teasing OG 2, sparking fan theories and fueling excitement for the sequel.
Beyond Cinema: A Global Phenomenon
From jam-packed theaters in Hyderabad to sold-out premieres in North America, They Call Him OG is not just a Telugu release—it’s a global celebration. NRIs especially embraced it, with record turnouts at 440+ locations in the US and Canada.
Social media is on fire too: “OG is a storm of mass cinema,” “Box Office Destructor,” and “fans are going crazy” trend across platforms, reflecting both hysteria and pride in Pawan Kalyan’s unparalleled stardom.
Verdict: A Box Office Monster
They Call Him OG is more than a film—it’s a statement of mass cinema. While not flawless, it delivers what it promises: adrenaline-pumping action, superstar charisma, and a theatrical experience tailor-made for fans.
As Pawan Kalyan balances cinema with his political journey, OG cements his place as Tollywood’s enduring icon—a star who can still shake the box office like few others.
Catch it on the big screen. This is one underworld saga you don’t want to miss.
Stay tuned to NRIGlobe.com for box office updates and exclusive insights.
