The much-awaited Telugu gangster action drama OG (also known as They Call Him OG), starring Power Star Pawan Kalyan and Emraan Hashmi, is gearing up for a monumental box office debut on September 25, 2025. With unprecedented buzz, sky-high advance bookings, and widespread anticipation, trade experts are already calling it one of the biggest South Indian openings of all time.
In this detailed trade report, we break down the pre-release hype, opening day potential, territory-wise estimates, weekend outlook, and the larger box office implications of OG.
Pre-Release Buzz: A Perfect Storm Brewing
The build-up to OG has been nothing short of spectacular. From the moment the project was announced, fans have eagerly awaited Pawan Kalyan’s return in a full-fledged mass avatar. Directed by Sujeeth, known for his stylish action sensibilities (Saaho), OG promises a slick, high-octane gangster saga set in the Mumbai underworld.
Several factors have contributed to the film’s extraordinary buzz:
Pawan Kalyan’s Star Power: One of the biggest crowd-pullers in Indian cinema, Kalyan’s presence alone guarantees a bumper opening. His fanbase across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ensures packed theatres from the first show.
Emraan Hashmi’s Telugu Debut: The Bollywood star’s presence adds significant crossover appeal, drawing attention from North Indian markets and multiplex audiences.
Genre Advantage: Gangster-action dramas traditionally perform well in both mass and urban markets. OG’s stylised treatment and action sequences have further fuelled audience expectations.
Record-Breaking Advance Bookings: Early data indicates sold-out shows in all major circuits, with many theatres adding extra screenings due to overwhelming demand.
Day 1 Box Office Prediction: ₹100 Crore+ Worldwide
Trade analysts unanimously predict OG to open on a historic note, potentially breaching the ₹100 crore global mark on Day 1 — a rare feat even by pan-India standards.
Estimated Day 1 Collection (Worldwide):
Territory Predicted Gross (₹ Cr)
Andhra Pradesh & Telangana 58 – 62 Cr
Karnataka 5 – 7 Cr
Tamil Nadu & Kerala 3 – 4 Cr
Rest of India (Hindi + Others) 8 – 10 Cr
Overseas Markets 25 – 30 Cr
Total Worldwide (Day 1) 99 – 110 Cr
Key Takeaway: Even at the lower end of estimates, OG is comfortably poised to cross the ₹100 crore mark on its first day — surpassing Hari Hara Veera Mallu’s lifetime gross (~₹116 crore) in a single day.
Comparison: OG vs Previous Pawan Kalyan Openings
Film Day 1 Worldwide Gross Lifetime Gross
Vakeel Saab (2021) ₹42 Cr ₹140 Cr
Bheemla Nayak (2022) ₹53 Cr ₹170 Cr
Hari Hara Veera Mallu (2024) ₹45 Cr ₹116 Cr
OG (2025) – Predicted ₹100 Cr+ ₹450 – 600 Cr (projected)
📊 OG is expected to double the opening day figures of Pawan Kalyan’s previous releases, setting a new benchmark not just for his career but for Telugu cinema as a whole.
Weekend Projections: ₹250 Cr+ Possible
With strong word-of-mouth and exceptional pre-release hype, OG is on track for a massive opening weekend. Trade insiders predict a ₹250 – ₹270 crore global gross over its first three days.
Projected 3-Day Weekend Breakdown:
Day Worldwide Gross (₹ Cr)
Day 1 (Thursday) 100 – 110 Cr
Day 2 (Friday) 80 – 90 Cr
Day 3 (Saturday) 70 – 80 Cr
Total (3 Days) 250 – 270 Cr
If the film sustains strong occupancy beyond Sunday, OG could challenge RRR and Baahubali 2 for one of the biggest first weeks in South Indian box office history.
Overseas Performance: Key To 100 Cr Day 1
The overseas market will play a pivotal role in pushing OG past the ₹100 crore mark on Day 1. Advance bookings in the USA, UAE, Australia, and the UK are already trending higher than Pushpa: The Rise and Salaar.
USA: $4.5 – $5 million opening day gross expected (~₹38 – 42 Cr weekend)
UAE & GCC: ₹8 – 10 Cr weekend
UK & Europe: ₹5 – 6 Cr weekend
The global appeal of the gangster genre and Emraan Hashmi’s Bollywood popularity are expected to significantly boost overseas turnout.
Key Factors Behind the Massive Hype
1. Pawan Kalyan’s Political Momentum: With the actor’s increased visibility in Andhra Pradesh politics, public curiosity around his comeback film is at an all-time high.
2. High-Octane Action: Sujeeth’s stylised approach, combined with top-tier production values, promises a theatrical spectacle.
3. Emraan Hashmi’s Antagonist Role: A rare South debut for a major Bollywood star, generating buzz in multiplex circuits.
4. Music & Marketing: Thaman S’s chartbuster soundtrack and aggressive promotional campaign have amplified anticipation.
5. Pan-India Release: With dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam, OG is targeting a broader audience than any previous Pawan Kalyan film.
Industry Impact & Future Projections
If OG achieves its predicted numbers, it will have several industry-shaping consequences:
New Opening Day Record: It could become the highest Day 1 grosser in Telugu cinema history.
Pawan Kalyan’s Career Landmark: Cementing his status as one of India’s most bankable superstars, especially post his political resurgence.
Pan-India South Dominance: It will reaffirm the South film industry’s dominance in India’s theatrical market.
Franchise Potential: Sujeeth has hinted at possible sequels and spin-offs if OG crosses ₹400 crore — a likely scenario based on early trends.
About the Film: High-Octane Gangster Drama
Title: OG (They Call Him OG)
Director: Sujeeth
Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Emraan Hashmi, Priyanka Arul Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy, Prakash Raj
Music: Thaman S
Genre: Gangster Action Drama
Release Date: September 25, 2025
Certificate: A (Adults Only)
Set in the gritty underbelly of Mumbai, OG follows the rise of a feared gangster whose code of justice challenges the established order. With larger-than-life action, emotional depth, and intense performances, the film aims to redefine the gangster genre for Indian cinema.
Final Trade Verdict: “Blockbuster Written All Over It”
Trade analysts are unanimous — OG is poised to be one of the biggest blockbusters of 2025. With a near-guaranteed ₹100 crore+ opening day and a strong word-of-mouth wave likely to follow, the film could easily cross ₹450 crore worldwide in its lifetime run, and possibly even aim for the ₹600 crore milestone with sustained performance.
“The numbers are unlike anything we’ve seen in Telugu cinema this year,” says leading trade analyst Ramesh Bala. “OG is not just a film release — it’s an event. If audience reception matches the hype, this will be Pawan Kalyan’s career-defining hit.”
Conclusion: The OG Era Begins
As theatres across the world prepare for the frenzy, one thing is clear — OG is not just a film, it’s a phenomenon. From record-breaking pre-sales to historic opening predictions, every indicator suggests that They Call Him OG will go down as one of the defining cinematic moments of 2025.
For fans, this is the return of Pawan Kalyan in his most powerful avatar yet. For the industry, it’s a reminder of the sheer box-office might of Telugu cinema. And for the trade, it’s the beginning of a box-office run that could rewrite history books.
Final Prediction (Trade Estimate):
Day 1 Worldwide Gross: ₹100 – ₹110 Cr
Opening Weekend: ₹250 – ₹270 Cr
Lifetime Gross Projection: ₹450 – ₹600 Cr
