They Call Him OG Review: Pawan Kalyan’s Epic One-Man Show
They Call Him OG Movie Review: South superstar Pawan Kalyan’s highly anticipated film, They Call Him OG, hit theaters on September 25th. This movie also marks the Telugu debut of Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi. If you’re considering watching this film, you should first read our detailed review.
Currently, South Indian cinema is dominating the Indian box office. People are drawn to South Indian films because they don’t have to search for original and engaging content. This is precisely why I went to watch the first show of superstar Pawan Kalyan’s pan-India film, They Call Him OG, on its release day (September 25, 2025). The film was expected to perform well, and it exceeded all expectations. Pawan Kalyan is seen in a fierce action mode this time, delivering a powerful performance. In addition, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi makes his much-awaited debut in Telugu cinema with this film. But first, let’s dive into the story.
The Plot and Core Characters
The film revolves around Ojas Gambhira ‘OG’, a former gangster and warrior who, after a 15-year disappearance, returns to Bombay in the 1990s to kill the film’s main villain, Omi Bhau. Pawan Kalyan plays the role of Ojas Gambhira “OG” while Emraan Hashmi portrays Omi Bhau. From the very beginning, the film keeps you hooked with its constant twists and turns. South Indian films, known for their high-octane action, are more than enough to keep you thoroughly entertained.
In fact, Pawan Kalyan has given a new direction to gangster films with this movie. The cast also includes Priyanka Mohan as Kanmani (OG’s wife), Arjun Das as Arjun (OG’s nephew), Shriya Reddy as Geeta (Arjun’s mother), and Prakash Raj as Satyanarayana ‘Satya Dada’ (OG’s father). The story starts off well, with OG leaving his entire family behind and moving out of Mumbai, a city he hasn’t returned to in 15 years. OG’s family runs a port business where Satya Dada operates a port. A container full of RDX, belonging to Omi Bhau, arrives at the port. Satya Dada hides it, knowing that Omi intends to use the RDX to destroy Mumbai.
In search of this container, Omi attacks OG’s family. He sends his brother to kill Satya Dada. Omi also seizes control of the port but fails to get his hands on the RDX. Meanwhile, when Satya Dada’s family is in trouble, OG returns to Mumbai. But will OG be able to defeat the international gangster Omi? And why did OG leave Mumbai in the first place? To find the answers to these questions, you’ll have to watch the entire movie in the theater.
Performances and Technical Aspects
You might already have a good idea of what happens after OG’s return, but a revelation about OG in the climax will surely surprise you. The action scenes are highly impressive. This time, Pawan Kalyan has opted for swords instead of guns for his action sequences, which perfectly suits his persona. Coming to acting, Pawan Kalyan has given his best performance in the film. He appears calm at times and menacing at others. Meanwhile, Emraan Hashmi is making his debut in South Indian cinema with this film. His dedication and acting skills are commendable, but only time will tell how well he is received as a villain.
Prakash Raj also plays a pivotal role in the film. He is undoubtedly a veteran actor, and his powerful dialogue delivery will inspire you. Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, and Shriya Reddy also do justice to their respective roles. Bollywood actor Abhimanyu Singh is also seen in the film as Inspector Tawde. Though his scenes are short, he wins the audience’s heart with his brilliant acting throughout. As for the direction, Sujeeth has once again proven himself as an experienced director from the South.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5#PawanKalyan roars in #OGReview
First Half stylish, Interval twist fire, Second Half elevation beast mode
Sujeeth vision Emran Hashmi deadly, Thaman BGM Music mass
Show Time festival
Verdict: #BlockbusterOG for fans,
haters call it #DisasterOG #TheyCallHimOG pic.twitter.com/10qhKKdhKn— मारवाड़ी पैंथर बाबा (@panther_baba_) September 24, 2025
Flaws and Final Verdict
No matter how good a film is, it always has some flaws. The first half of this film will keep you on the edge of your seat, but the second half slows down at times, which might make you feel a bit bored. However, it returns to its normal pace before the climax. The music might seem a little dull for Hindi-speaking audiences. A few more catchy songs could have made the film even more appealing for them. Nevertheless, the film’s background score is so captivating that it will energize you in many scenes. Overall, this film is definitely worth watching. I would rate this film 3.5 out of 5 stars.