Pawan Kalyan’s film ‘They Call Him OG’ has finally premiered, much to the excitement of fans eagerly awaiting its release. After the USA premiere and an early screening in Hyderabad on September 24, audiences globally have declared it a blockbuster. Kalyan’s portrayal of a gangster showcases his signature swagger, impactful dialogue delivery, and thrilling action sequences, particularly the gripping interval scene that reveals his character’s true nature. The post-interval police station scene further heightens the tension. The three-year wait has proven worthwhile, especially with Kalyan leading this high-octane gangster narrative. Additionally, the film introduces a new cinematic universe in Telugu cinema, dubbed the ‘SCU – Sujeeth Cinematic Universe’, which currently includes ‘Saaho’ featuring Prabhas.
Emraan Hashmi, debuting in Telugu cinema as the antagonist OMI, delivers a strong performance as a menacing villain, adding depth to the film. Priyanka Mohan’s role as Kanmani provides a refreshing contrast in the intense atmosphere, while supporting performances from Arjun Das, Prakash Raj, and Shriya Reddy enhance the storyline. Jackie Shroff also makes a cameo, linking the film to the Sujeeth Cinematic Universe. Despite a less engaging second half, Kalyan’s star power has generated significant box office success, with ‘They Call Him OG’ projected to exceed Rs 150 crores on its opening day and already ranking as the top-grossing film of 2025 in North America.
The gangster-themed film delivers numerous thrilling moments that fans have long desired, with director Sujeeth successfully meeting these expectations as theaters remain packed for the upcoming week. The Dussehra weekend is expected to amplify the film’s popularity. Both audiences and industry figures, including Nikhil Siddhartha and producer Naga Vamsi, have praised the film and Kalyan’s performance. In summary, produced by D.V.V. Danayya, this stylish gangster drama demonstrates that with Kalyan at the helm, box office records are sure to be broken rapidly. The Hans India Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.