They Call Him OG Movie Review: Spoof Of SALAAR!!

I've heard this line so many times. Bollywood has Salman Khan, and Telugu cinema has Pawan Kalyan. He's not just an actor, he's a brand. Now, his new film, OG, directed by Sujeeth, is out. Who is this Sujeeth? Remember him? After Baahubali 1 and 2, Prabhas' next big thing, which some people didn't understand, some didn't want to understand, but some still respect him for it. So, the thing is, just like the LCU (Lokesh Cinematic Universe) in Tamil, the SCU (Sujeeth Cinematic Universe) was announced even before the film's release. The first film in this universe was Saaho, and now we have 'They Call Him OG'. So much confidence in the film that they created an entire universe. Is this just overconfidence like with Saaho? Will it only be a celebration for fans in the South, or will Pawan Kalyan's cinema create a buzz in the North as well? Let me tell you.

The basic concept of the film is based on Mumbai’s Underworld. Amidst all these dons, criminals, mafia, and this city of Mumbai, there was only one man, OG, the Original Gangster, whose sword's history is more famous than his story. By the way, you know this film is rated A? And the reason is OG's sword. Pawan Kalyan's entry scene in the film is with this sword, and it will be something you won't forget. Total bloodbath, not just action, but super violence. In short, OG is the tiger of the Mumbai jungle because no one hunts like him. But what happens when a lion enters this jungle? Tiger vs. Lion. Have you ever heard of this? Thought about it? Let me show you. OMI, a small name, but a huge impact, and an even bigger deed. In that sea of ​​Mumbai where OG's fear flowed, OMI has added blood. OMI's philosophy is simple. The era of swords is over. Now it's the era of guns. OG is old, but OMI is new.

But has anyone ever wondered why OG came to India? And why specifically Mumbai? The answer to this question, spanning 2.5 hours, introduces you to OG's past, present, and future. It reveals a powerful Japanese connection that takes OG beyond being a local hero to an international star. You could say that if Rocky Bhai is the CEO of India, then OG is the boss of the entire universe. It's a story less and emotion less film. There's plenty of action, but the emotions are what went missing. This underworld mafia story incorporates a secret family dynamic. There's a touch of politics, the dark side of the police is shown, and a revenge angle is also included. On the other hand, a few twists and turns create emotional drama.

To put it simply, there are two types of reviews for OG. For fans, these 2.5 hours will be incredibly emotional, perhaps the best in their lives. No one could have presented their star better on screen. Director Sujith has set a new world record in fan service. Pawan Kalyan's screen presence is literally a firestorm, and that's exactly what's shown just before the interval. Seeing the words "Firestorm" and experiencing it – I literally saw the theater transform into a stadium. A truly unique, different, and amazing interval. An actor's celebration amidst such a massive crowd – whether you're Telugu or Hindi speaking, it will give you goosebumps. There are references to some old movies. Iconic moments have been recreated for the fans, which other audiences might not appreciate, but will be a highlight for Telugu fans. However, after the interval, the same issues that plagued Saaho reappear. Fans will enjoy it, but neutral audiences might get a little confused.

The film's story isn't as special as its presentation. There are many characters, with some talented actors, but 99% of the focus is on Pawan Kalyan. This means other characters are sidelined, making the overall story seem ordinary rather than exceptional. Despite all these elements, the director couldn't create a single scene that made you genuinely worry for the hero. A film is truly impactful when the villain is a worthy opponent, which isn't the case here. Emraan Hashmi's look was so menacing. Before the film's release, his introductory teaser made me think that Telugu cinema would finally give Emraan the credit Bollywood never did. But in the midst of Pawan Kalyan's fan service, poor Emraan Hashmi gets lost. His entry is supposed to be powerful, there's supposed to be a lot of bloodshed, but then the character just disappears. The whole bloody showdown between OG and Omi is wasted.

Consequently, the film's climax feels underwhelming compared to the interval because the main fight between OG and Omi barely takes for 2 minutes. The film has a backstory but is just too similar to Salaar for it to feel as a coincidence. Then comes the moment that Prabhas fans have probably been waiting for. Yes, OG has a direct connection to Saaho, 100% confirmed. But did they show Prabhas' cameo? The answer is both yes and no. The story is connected. Maybe this will become a reality in the future. Form your theories, use your imagination. Apart from this, two things I really liked about the film: First, the portrayal of Mumbai. A Telugu director showing Mumbai as raw, bold, and gritty – it was amazing! Second, the background music literally took a 1/10 scene and made it 100/10. OG's visuals and Thaman's music truly give it an international vibe.

Remember Rappa Rappa from Pushpa 2, that kind of peak cinematic experience can be seen minus the emotions. This film truly shines with Sujith's direction, Pawan Kalyan's emotion less screen presence, and Thaman's music come. The film deserves 1 out of five stars. Highlights include the interval block and Thaman’s powerful BGM. Negatives: the underdeveloped villain and supporting characters, and the weak storyline. And, there were some issues with the dubbing; the dialogue didn't match the actor's lip movements. OG will definitely set records in the Telugu belt, reminding everyone who the real gangster is. While it's been called a "one-man show" for Pawan Kalyan, it's more of a mixed bag. Pan-India, outside of mass cinema fans, neutral audiences might find the film long, boring, and repetitive. Decide for yourself which side you're on.

The whole movie is a copy or spoof of Prabhas’s SALAAR that released in 2023 directed by KGF Director, Prashanth Neel. Pawan Kalyan has copied each and every scene of Prabhas and has even copied Prabhas’s emotionless acting in Adipurursh. The whole movie feels like a sasta copy of Salaar. It is Salaar minus its story. Pawan Kalyan’s character also went away like Prabhas’s and comes back when someone calls him. The first half of OG focuses on setting the story and has maximum 20-25 minutes of Pawan Kalyan whereas the second half is full for Pawan Kalyan’s fan unlike Salaar in which the second half was excellent. I do not recommend it to anyone except Pawan Kalyan’s Fans. After watching OG, I can’t believe and trust the Box-Office numbers that are being circulated. According to the reports, OG earned ₹250 crores worldwide in 6 days which I think is shit. Due to the so called “Successful” Box Office run, the Director has planned a prequel as well as a sequel for the film. Even the backstory of Pawan Kalyan’s character does not make sense that he is the son of Netaji SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE.😂😂