Movie Name : They Call Him OG
Release Date : Sep 25, 2025
Cast : Pawan Kalyan, Emraan Hashmi, Priyanka Arul Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy, Prakash Raj etc.
Director : Sujeeth
Music Director : Thaman S
Andhrawatch.com Rating : 2.75/5
Story:
After narrowly escaping an attack in Japan, Ojas (Pawan Kalyan) heads to India on a ship. During the voyage, he saves Satya Dada (Prakash Raj) from a deadly ambush. Grateful, Satya Dada brings Ojas to Mumbai, where he rises to become the right-hand man of the underworld don. With Satya Dada treating him like a third son, Ojas becomes an integral part of a criminal empire built from a harbor, expanding its reach and power.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Ojas leaves the underworld behind and enters hiding, marrying Kanmani (Priyanka Mohan) and starting a new life. Meanwhile, Satya Dada’s former ally, politician Mirajkar (Tej Sapru), and his sons, Jimmy (Sudev Nair) and Omi (Emraan Hashmi), begin plotting to seize control of the underworld. With his own sons lost, Satya Dada turns to Ojas for help.
Does Ojas return to Mumbai for Satya Dada? How does Ojas teach Jimmy and Omi a lesson? Why did Ojas choose to go into hiding, despite once ruling the underworld of Mumbai? What is his backstory? These answers drive the film’s plot.
Review:
For Pawan Kalyan’s fans waiting for him to come back as a virile, stylish don, OG does just what they were looking for—a high-octane, energetic performance that will delight. Sujeeth’s direction brings out the signature swag and screen presence of Pawan Kalyan, and every scene with him becomes a highlight. Pawan’s portrayal of a merciless gangster demonstrates his fantastic action techniques and martial arts skills that his audience has appreciated for years. From hand-to-hand combat to gripping shootouts, OG takes action to new heights and has the audience engaged.
Priyanka Mohan, who plays the leading lady, also brings a fresh take to her part. The combination of her and Pawan Kalyan’s chemistry also adds a colorful feature to the film. Emraan Hashmi, who plays the antagonist role, also does an excellent interpretation for his character. His angry confrontations with Pawan deliver some of the most gripping moments in the film. Arjun Das delivers a standout performance in a key supporting role, and Sriya Reddy also holds her own with positive character progression.
Prakash Raj as Satya Dada brings his signature intensity and gives a powerful yet emotional performance. The second half of OG features an action-packed adventure supported with good background music that elevates the drama. One of the more interesting aspects of the film is the subtle links to a cinematic universe established by Sujeeth, which enhance the layering of the story.
Although OG’s central idea stays with you—a gangster origin story and a hero’s flashback—there’s a sense of predictability that follows it. Unless one wanted something drastically different, fans may view the storyline as not deviating much from revenge-action clichés. Although good things like Yakuza and samurai references are evident, the film is missing significant plot twists and turning points that bring about something more unexpected and thrilling. The consistent rhythm does not entirely transport audience members into the suspenseful experience threatened by the plot of the movie.
The technical work of OG is another gem. The cinematography work of Ravi K Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa is outstanding, providing every frame with bright representations and taking you into the world of cinema. The music by Thaman is a major benefit, especially in the second half, generating atmosphere while also supporting fast-action sequences. Meanwhile, Navin Nooli’s editing ensures that the film flows smoothly, though the narrative could have benefitted from a more gripping pace in some sections.
As a production, OG is not a letdown. The directors have evidently spent money on good visuals, with each scene emanating a very detailed look. The grand production design of the film, along with great cinematography and music, makes it a fantastic visual and audio treat.
Director Sujeeth has produced fan-winning scenes which will definitely please Pawan Kalyan’s dedicated fans. But the storyline of the film could have been more thrilling. While the cinematic universe aspects are compelling, OG could have done with a more powerful, compelling narrative. The pace in some sequences can be hastened and there could have been a couple of more twists to engage the audience. Other than the strong performance from Pawan Kalyan, the rest of the story feels a bit ordinary overall.
Overall OG is a visually stunning and action-heavy film that succeeds in delivering fan service but falls short in terms of narrative depth and unpredictability. It’s a solid entertainer that will resonate with Pawan Kalyan’s followers, but those looking for a more gripping and innovative plot might find it lacking.