OG Movie Review: In the world of Indian action cinema, where heroes are born out of vengeance and redemption, They Call Him OG is a thunderous entry that doesn’t just break doors, it obliterates them with ra,w unapologetic force. Directed by Sujeeth, this 2025 Telugu film stars Pawan Kalyan in a role that is tailor made for his larger than life persona, high octane thrills with a pulsating undercurrent of emotional depth. The film is just over 2 hours long and is a non stop adrenaline rush that pays homage to the gangster genre and carves out its own path through the underbelly of crime and loyalty.
OG Movie Setup: A World of Shadows and Scars
From the very start, They Call Him OG drops you into the dirty docks and neon lit alleys of Mumbai. Pawan Kalyan, as OG (Original Gangster) is a man haunted by a past he can’t escape. Exiled for years after a brutal betrayal, OG returns not as a shadow of his former self but as a storm ready to unleash hell. The story is about fractured alliances and simmering vendettas, OG navigating a web of rival gangs, corrupt cops, and personal demons.
Sujeeth’s screenplay is a masterclass in controlled chaos. He balances the action scenes with the quieter introspective moments that humanize OG without making him soft. Flashbacks show a younger, more idealistic OG whose fall is as heart breaking as it is inevitable. It’s this duality – fierce warrior by day, wounded soul by night – that takes the story beyond pulp fiction. In a genre that’s often criticized for prioritizing style over substance, They Call Him OG asks: What’s the price of immortality in the underworld?
OG Movie Performances - Pawan Kalyan: The Beating Heart of the Beast
If They Call Him OG is a firecracker, Pawan Kalyan is the fuse that sets it ablaze. His performance is mindblowing, he is the anti-hero with the physicality of a one man army. Kalyan doesn’t just play OG, he is OG from the intense brooding eyes during the negotiations to the bone crunching fight sequences. There is a physical transformation too - Kalyan’s lean and scarred body speaks volumes about OG’s hard life; every punch and parry feels earned.
Supporting Kalyan is a solid cast that adds to the criminal world. Emraan Hashmi slithers into the role of the antagonist with oily charm, every smirk a promise of doom. Priyanka Mohan brings a warmth as OG’s confidante, a rare vulnerability in this testosterone fueled world. And in a standout performance, the veteran actor playing OG’s mentor delivers lines with the gravitas of a Shakespearean soliloquy, reminding us that even gangsters have poetry in their souls.
Visuals and Sound: A Symphony of Savagery
Sujeeth’s direction is at its best in the technical aspects of the film. Cinematographer Santhana Krishnan creates a visual language that’s as brutal as it is stylish—rain-soaked streets reflect the blue and red of the emergency lights, wide-angle lenses capture the suffocating fear of underground fight clubs. The action choreography, done by a team of international stunt coordinators, is a highlight: John Wick-esque gun-fu meets Hong Kong cinema, all executed with balletic precision. One mid-film sequence, a high-speed chase through a crowded market, is a standout for its seamless blend of practical and VFX, leaving you breathless and wanting more.
The soundtrack by Devi Sri Prasad is, as always, reliable. The percussion is thunderous, the melodies haunting. The title track, a gritty rap anthem, becomes OG’s theme song, blaring every time he’s triumphant. It’s not just background noise; the score amplifies the emotional beats of the film, turning simple scenes of introspection into gut punches of nostalgia.
The Highs, the Lows, and the Inevitable Twists
They Call Him OG isn’t perfect. Sometimes the pacing falters during the second act’s info dumps where alliances shift faster than a street hustler’s loyalties and you might find yourself lost if you’re new to the genre. The romantic subplot is sweet but feels like a detour in an otherwise sharp revenge movie. And let’s be real—some of the dialogue goes into melodrama territory with monologues that feel theatrical. But these are minor complaints in a movie that swings for the fences and hits with a loud crack.
What really sets this movie apart is its unwavering commitment to its themes. In OG we see a movie about legacy: the “original” isn’t just about being first but about enduring the scars that come with it. The climax is a sprawling, multi-location showdown that’s operatic in scope, heartbreak and heroism mixed together in a way that lingers long after the credits roll.
Final Verdict: A Gangster Epic Worth the Blood, Sweat, and Tears
They Call Him OG is the kind of film that will make you believe in the magic of action cinema again. Pawan Kalyan is a Telugu superstar and Sujeeth is a director who is not afraid to get his hands dirty. 8.5/10. Must watch for action fans and a great introduction to desi gangster films. In a world of forgettable biggies, They Call Him OG roars with originality – sometimes the originals are the ones that stay. Popcorn ready, lights off, let the chaos begin.
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