“They Call Him OG” (starring Pawan Kalyan) makes a powerful box-office return by registering an Rs 154 crore+ worldwide gross on Day 1 and crosses the Rs 190 crore mark within 17 days in India.
Introduction
When Pawan Kalyan—also known as the “Power Star” of Telugu cinema—teamed up with director Sujeeth for “They Call Him OG,” expectations were sky-high. With booking records broken and fearsome pre-release hype from fans, the film was positioned as a comeback vehicle after a few rough patches for the star. Keywords like “OG box office collection,” “Pawan Kalyan power show,” “bookings,” and “worldwide gross” were floating everywhere.
With advanced worldwide tickets, great international interest, and fandom, the movie’s premiere was not just a cinematic event but also a huge commercial success. It takes a combination of measurements and happenings to understand how it performed. Using new data from recent trade reports and my years of experience watching the South Indian film industry, I’ll take you through the figures, their meaning, and the context (and warnings) in this guide.
1. Pre-Release Buzz & Advance Booking
Before the actual release, They Call Him OG created major waves. According to trade trackers:
The film crossed ₹75 crore in global bookings (before release), which is a record mark for a Pawan Kalyan film. In North America (USA + Canada), it became the fastest Telugu film to cross US$1 million in premiere pre-sales. Trade estimates predicted an opening worldwide gross of ₹100 crore+ (or more) just based on booking momentum.
What this tells us: the demand side was extremely strong. Fans & distributors had high confidence. In such cases, the “power show” of the star truly becomes the baseline—not just the film itself.
2. Opening Day/Weekend Collections & Initial Records
At the time of release, the film delivered notable numbers:
On Day 1, worldwide gross was reported at ₹154 crore+ across all languages and territories.
Within the domestic Indian market, estimates indicate that the film collected around ₹19.75 crore in net revenue in India on its first day across all languages. In North America, premiere & opening day advance sales hit approximately US$2.73 million (approx. US$2.9 million including weekend advance), as per trade estimates.
Because of this strong start, they phrased it as Pawan Kalyan’s biggest opener to date.
Key takeaway: The star power delivered an outstanding start, making OG (They Call Him OG) one of Pawan’s highest-impact releases at launch.
Also read: Thamma Review (2025): A Vampire Film Without a So
3. Domestic Run & Current Collection Status
After the opening, the next challenge is a sustained run. Some data:
On Day 17, the film had reportedly crossed the ₹190 crore net domestic mark.
On Day 18, it added ₹1.34 crore on the third Sunday, bringing the cumulative total to ₹191.44 crore in India.
However, one trade report flagged that even at ~₹190 crore net, the film was only ~76% of its reported budget and still facing a deficit of ~₹59.9 crore in the Indian share model.
What this suggests: While the opening spike was very strong, the sustainability and profitability need more careful reading. The film did well in the short term, but with big investments come high break-even thresholds.
4. Implications for Pawan Kalyan’s Career & Market
From my experience, when a major star like Pawan Kalyan has a film with such a strong opening, several consequences follow:
It re-establishes his market pull—distributors are more confident, especially in non-traditional territories (overseas, non-Telugu states).
It increases pre-release business (satellite, OTT, dubbing rights) for future projects because the opening acts as proof of “star + event” viability.
On the flip side, such big openings raise expectations; any drop in run or failure to fully recover budget invites scrutiny (as we saw with the “deficit” mention above).
For OG, this is more of a power-show performance: Pawan’s footage, his high-octane persona, and the promotional blitz all worked. Whether the film becomes a long-term “blockbuster” (by returning share + profit) is still unfolding.
5. What Factors Worked & What to Watch
What worked:
Heavy booking and marketing hype. Pawan’s brand appealed widely.
Strong pre-sales overseas—showing that Telugu star films now have global footprints.
The “event” nature: fans turning up for premiere shows, massive openings.
What to watch/Tips:
A high budget means a higher break-even point. Even if a film grosses ₹190 crore domestically, whether the share and rights revenue cover costs remains critical (as trade reported a deficit). Sustained run and word-of-mouth: Opening day is one thing; long legs matter for true hit status.
Overseas show cancellations/distributor issues: For OG, some international shows were cancelled, citing “image delivery” issues, which can impact collections.
Comparison with other films: While OG opened big, comparisons with ultra-mega hits (with a ₹300+ crore scale) will affect the perception of success.
6. Final Verdict: Is the OG Box Office Collection a Win?
Yes, in the sense that They Call Him OG delivered a major box-office statement. It recorded Pawan Kalyan’s biggest opener to date, shattered advance‐booking records, and reaffirmed his star power. For the “power show” category, it ticked many boxes.
However, from a pure business case (cost vs share vs rights revenue), there remains caution. If the film recovers its budget and makes a profit, it becomes a full “hit.” At this point, it sits as a high‐impact film with very good numbers and is likely a “success” in audience terms, but whether it becomes an undeniable blockbuster will depend on its further run and revenue streams.
From my perspective (with decades of watching the Telugu film business), OG is a strong comeback for Pawan Kalyan, a win for his brand, and a reminder of the commercial clout of a “Power Star vehicle” when built and promoted right.
FAQs: OG Box Office Collection—Pawan Kalyan’s Power Show
1. How much did Pawan Kalyan’s OG earn on its opening day?
A. Pawan Kalyan’s OG opened with a massive ₹154 crore worldwide gross on Day 1, making it one of the biggest openers in Telugu cinema for 2025. The film’s bookings alone had already hinted at this record-breaking start.
2. What is the total box office collection of OG so far?
A. As of recent trade updates, OG has collected over ₹190 crore in India and continues to earn steady numbers in its third week. Globally, its total gross has crossed ₹210 crore, showcasing the film’s strong hold.
3. Is OG a hit or a flop at the box office?
A. While OG had a phenomenal opening, trade analysts describe it as a commercially strong but high-cost venture. Its massive budget means it’s still recovering investment through theatrical and OTT rights, though fan response has made it a cultural hit.
4. What makes OG special compared to Pawan Kalyan’s previous movies?
A. OG is celebrated for Pawan Kalyan’s dynamic gangster role, Sujeeth’s stylish direction, and Thaman S’s powerful background score. It marks a comeback moment, blending intense action with emotional storytelling—something fans had eagerly waited for.
5. How did OG perform overseas?
A. In overseas markets, especially the USA, OG made headlines with over US$2.9 million in premiere and opening weekend collections, proving Pawan Kalyan’s global appeal among Telugu audiences.
6. What is OG’s rank among Telugu movies of 2025?
A. According to trade reports, They Call Him OG currently stands among the top 10 highest-grossing Telugu films of 2025, even surpassing some major Bollywood releases in worldwide box office rankings.
7. Who are the main cast members of OG?
A. The film stars Pawan Kalyan in the lead, alongside Emraan Hashmi, Arjun Das, Prakash Raj, and Priyanka Arul Mohan in pivotal roles, adding to its pan-Indian appeal.
8. Will OG have a sequel or follow-up film?
A. While there’s no official announcement yet, the film’s ending and fan enthusiasm have sparked rumours of a potential OG sequel. Director Sujeeth has hinted that the universe could be expanded in future projects.
9. Where can I watch OG after its theatrical run?
A. After its successful box office run, OG is expected to stream on Netflix as part of its digital rights deal, likely a few weeks after its theatrical release.
10. Why is OG called “They Call Him OG”?
A. The title represents the legendary status of Pawan Kalyan’s character—a feared and respected original gangster. It reflects the film’s theme of legacy, loyalty, and power in a crime-driven world.