The Samurai of the Underworld Unleashes a Firestorm
Directed by Sujeeth, They Call Him OG marks the high-octane return of Power Star Pawan Kalyan to stylish, unfiltered gangster terrain.
Plot Summary
The narrative centers on Ojas Gambheera, known simply across the criminal underbelly as "OG" (Pawan Kalyan)—a legendary mob enforcer who vanished into exile following a bloodbath a decade prior.
Performances
Pawan Kalyan: Pawan Kalyan owns the screen with absolute authority. Eschewing over-the-top melodrama, he plays Gambheera with calculated, cold-blooded restraint and sharp physical intensity.
His samurai-style swordplay, razor-sharp gaze, and menacing presence deliver peak elevation moments for mass cinema lovers. Emraan Hashmi: Making an impactful Telugu debut, Emraan Hashmi turns Omi Bhau into a slick, calculating, and ruthless adversary.
He brings formidable swagger and cold menace, providing the film with an antagonist whose threat feels genuinely lethal. Arjun Das & Sriya Reddy: Arjun Das brings his trademark gravelly voice and fierce intensity, adding muscle and emotional grit to the underworld loyalty tracks. Sriya Reddy delivers a dignified, hard-hitting performance that anchors the gangland drama.
Prakash Raj & Priyanka Mohan: Prakash Raj brings veteran emotional gravitas as the patriarch of the old-school syndicate. Priyanka Mohan infuses warmth and vulnerability into the quieter flashback segments.
Direction and Technical Aspects
Sujeeth’s Direction: Sujeeth proves his prowess in crafting glossy, high-production-value action cinema. He treats Pawan Kalyan not just as a conventional action hero, but as an imposing mythic figure. The build-up scenes, weapon staging, and shadow lighting are handled with remarkable polish.
Music & Background Score: Thaman S delivers one of his most aggressive musical outings to date. The track "Firestorm" and the pulsating, bass-heavy background motifs supercharge the combat blocks, keeping theater energy at fever pitch.
Cinematography & Editing: Ravi K. Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa's visual framing is exceptional. The smoky docks, neon-lit alleyways, and moody golden hues give the film the slick texture of an international neo-noir thriller. Naveen Nooli’s editing is sharp in the action portions, though the second-half pacing dips slightly during extensive syndicate exposition.
Strengths & Weaknesses
What Works:
Pawan Kalyan’s intense, stylized screen presence and samurai combat choreography.
Emraan Hashmi’s formidable, sleek turn as the lead antagonist.
Thaman’s thunderous, adrenaline-fueled background score.
World-class cinematography and atmospheric production design by DVV Entertainment.
What Needs Improvement:
The core gangland revenge plot relies on familiar tropes seen across crime cinema.
The second half takes a slight detour into heavy exposition before setting up the climactic face-off.
Final Verdict
They Call Him OG is an unapologetic, adrenaline-fueled celebration of stylized action and star power. With Sujeeth’s slick visual framing, Emraan Hashmi’s solid antagonist turn, and Pawan Kalyan firing on all cylinders in top mass form, the film stands as an electrifying theater watch for action junkies and franchise fans alike.
MovieKaTicket Quick Take: Pawan Kalyan blazes through the screen in an ultra-stylish, action-packed gangster spectacle powered by Thaman’s roaring beats! For more verified, spoiler-free film reviews, honest ratings, and comprehensive box office coverage, download the MovieKaTicket Films Review App and visit MovieKaTicket.com!