They Call Him OG marks the grand comeback of Pawan Kalyan, and it’s safe to say — he’s back with a bang! As Ojas Gambheera, Pawan delivers a powerhouse performance that fans have long been waiting for. His screen presence is magnetic — intense, stoic, ruthless, yet deeply humane. The introduction sequence followed by the title card is sheer goosebump material — every frame radiates power and dominance, setting the tone for a gripping gangster saga.

Director Sujeeth, known for his flair for stylish storytelling, crafts a slick, visually stunning action drama that feels more like a cinematic painting than a loud commercial entertainer. Set against the backdrop of rain-soaked 1980s Mumbai, OG is an aesthetic action spectacle — from katana duels to stylized shootouts, every sequence oozes craft and confidence. Ravi K. Chandran’s cinematography deserves special applause — his frames are drenched in atmosphere, texture, and visual poetry.

The film also marks Emraan Hashmi’s Telugu debut as Omi, and he’s brilliant. Calm, calculated, and quietly menacing, Emraan makes for a formidable antagonist. His look and demeanor will remind North Indian audiences of his Awarapan days — understated yet impactful. His confrontations with Pawan Kalyan elevate the film’s intensity and give the story a compelling hero-villain balance.

Thaman S once again proves why he’s among the best — his background score is electrifying, perfectly amplifying the mass and emotional beats. The supporting cast — Priyanka Arul Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy, and Prakash Raj — all bring weight to the narrative, complementing Pawan’s towering persona. The action choreography is breathtaking, especially the hand-to-hand combat and sword-fight scenes, which feel both raw and balletic.

Sujeeth’s direction this time is more mature and restrained. He avoids unnecessary dialogues, focusing instead on building mood and atmosphere. The way he mythologizes Pawan Kalyan’s character — almost like a modern legend — is commendable.

Highlights:

• Pawan Kalyan’s MASSIVE screen presence
• Spectacular cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran
• Thaman’s thunderous BGM
• Terrific interval block & emotionally satisfying climax
• Katana scene, police station sequence & port fight – pure fire!

Drawbacks:

The film’s only real flaw is its pacing — certain stretches in the middle feel slow and could’ve been trimmed by 15–20 minutes.

Overall, They Call Him OG is a technically solid, stylish gangster actioner that delivers a perfect blend of mass and class. With Pawan Kalyan in top form, Sujeeth’s focused direction, and Thaman’s explosive music, the film is pure paisa vasool entertainment.

A wider Hindi release would’ve expanded its reach, but make no mistake — OG has all the makings of a massive blockbuster at the box office.