“When OG arrives, run and hide.” That one line sets the tone for Sujeeth’s They Call Him OG, a film that wears its fan service on its sleeve while attempting to reimagine the gangster drama. Headlined by Pawan Kalyan as Ojas Gambheera — the so-called “Original Gangster” — this long-awaited project banks more on spectacle than storytelling.
A Visual Feast Backed by Technical Brilliance
The film was in the making for four years, and it shows in its slick packaging. Sujeeth brings together a strong technical crew: Ravi K Chandran and Manoj Paramahamsa behind the camera, AS Prakash on production design, Navin Nooli at the editing table, and S Thaman delivering a pulsating background score. Together, they craft a world that keeps the pace snappy and the visuals stylish enough to hold attention. Fire serves as the film’s recurring metaphor, shaping OG’s persona, while muted browns and greys dominate the palette, only softening for the romantic interludes.
Story That Plays It Safe
At its heart, OG follows a well-worn gangster narrative: a middle-aged hero returns from exile to shield his loved ones and face looming threats. While the Japanese-inspired origin story and anime-like choreography lend novelty, the core arc feels predictable. The narrative never digs deep into its characters or stakes — leaving the film dependent on Pawan Kalyan’s larger-than-life presence.
Fan Service Over Substance
From Sholay nods and Amitabh Bachchan references to flashes of John Wick aesthetics, Sujeeth packs in Easter eggs for cinephiles. For Pawan Kalyan fans, there are even subtle callbacks to his directorial Johnny. These flourishes entertain briefly but cannot mask the thinness of the script.
OG is full of moments where the protagonist arrives just in time to save the day, often in ways that defy logic. A subplot linked to the 1993 Mumbai blasts, meant to raise stakes, falls flat due to lack of tension. Even personal losses feel predictable, robbing the revenge arc of emotional impact.
Performances That Anchor the Film
Pawan Kalyan, clearly enjoying himself, dominates every frame with charisma. Prakash Raj, Sriya Reddy, and Arjun Das provide strong support, while Rahul Ravindran is a pleasant surprise. Priyanka Arul Mohan does her best with limited material, but Emraan Hashmi, unfortunately, is weighed down by a poorly written role and awkward dubbing.
Missed Opportunities
While Tamil and Japanese dialogues are handled with subtitles, Mumbai-based characters speaking Hindi aren’t given the same treatment — a missed chance to add authenticity, especially for audiences used to multilingual streaming content. Similarly, the film hints at building a cinematic universe but never fully commits to it.
Verdict
OG is a film designed for fans — a Samurai-like hero cloaked in style, fire, and spectacle. Strip away the gloss, and what remains is a familiar, shallow gangster tale that could have soared with stronger writing and more emotional weight. For admirers of Pawan Kalyan, it’s a stylish celebration of his stardom. For others, it may feel like style triumphing over substance.