They Call Him OG Review (5.7/10): Pawan Kalyan's Swagger, Thin Story

This They Call Him OG review looks at Sujeeth's Telugu action crime film, a showcase built around Pawan Kalyan's star power. It promises fire, swagger and a gangster legend's return. The style is loud and confident, but the story underneath is lighter than the noise around it.

They Call Him OG Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The They Call Him OG plot starts with Ojas Gambheera, known to everyone as OG. He was trained to fight in Japan, and he now lives peacefully far from the city that shaped him. That calm does not last.

Trouble in Mumbai drags him back to help the people he swore to protect. Rival crime figures, old loyalties and a long absence set the stage. The tagline, "Firestorm is coming," tells you the mood the film is chasing.

The setup is simple and familiar, and that works in its favour early on. You know what kind of film this is within minutes. The question is how much the film does with that clarity.

What Works in They Call Him OG

The film understands its lead. Sujeeth frames Pawan Kalyan as a figure of myth, and many scenes are built to land as big, crowd-pleasing moments. If you enjoy hero-worship cinema, those beats deliver.

• Star presence: The camera loves its protagonist, and the staging gives him room to dominate.

• Tone: The Japan-trained fighter angle gives the action crime drama a distinct flavour.

• Theme song energy: The soundtrack's "Firestorm" track, with lyrics by several writers including Raja Kumari, sets the film's attitude well.

When the film leans into spectacle, it is at its most confident. These stretches show what the director set out to do.

They Call Him OG Cast and Performances

The They Call Him OG cast is led by Pawan Kalyan as Ojas "OG" Gambheera. He plays the role with a brooding calm and lets silence and posture do much of the work. It suits the legend the film wants to build.

Emraan Hashmi plays Omkar "Omi Bhau" Varthaman, the main opposing force. He brings a cool menace that gives the conflict some weight. Prakash Raj appears as Satya Dada, and his experience is welcome whenever he is on screen.

Priyanka Arul Mohan plays Kanmani, Sriya Reddy plays Geetha, and Arjun Das plays Arjun. They are capable, but the script gives some of them less to do than their talent deserves. The leads shine more than the supporting players.

Where They Call Him OG Stumbles

At 155 minutes, the film runs long for a story this slim. The central revenge-and-return idea is familiar, and the plot spends a lot of time building atmosphere rather than adding fresh turns. Pacing sags between the big set pieces.

Supporting characters often feel like pieces on a board instead of people. Emotional beats can feel borrowed, and the drama rarely matches the volume of the action. Audience reception has been lukewarm, with a TMDB score of 5.7/10 from 41 votes.

If you want sharp writing and surprise, you may leave a little hungry. The film trades depth for attitude.

Is They Call Him OG Worth Watching?

It is worth watching if you are a fan of Pawan Kalyan or enjoy stylised Indian action crime films, but it is a harder sell for everyone else. The star moments and the mood are strong. The story and the length hold it back.

The They Call Him OG release date was 24 September 2025, and the film is in Telugu. For more films in this vein, browse our crime movie reviews or our wider action movie reviews. You can also read our take on Afterburn for another action-first release.

Set your expectations for style over substance, and you will have a better time. Go in wanting a layered gangster drama, and you may be disappointed.

Who Will Enjoy They Call Him OG

• Fans of Pawan Kalyan who want a larger-than-life hero showcase.

• Viewers who like gangster action with strong style and a mythic tone.

• Telugu cinema audiences looking for a big-screen, crowd-pleasing event.