Pawan Kalyan has set the box office on fire. His comeback film They Call Him OG opened with a staggering ₹20 crore from premiere shows in India, the highest-ever for an Indian release. Fans filled theaters across the country, turning the premiere into a festival. Overseas, the craze was just as strong. The movie pulled in over USD 3 million in North America, making the Pawan Kalyan They Call Him OG box office collection the biggest Telugu opener of 2025 in that market.
Record Premiere Collections in India

The film didn’t just break records—it smashed them. They Call Him OG outdid Kalyan’s own Hari Hara Veer Mallu, which had earned ₹15 crore in premieres. It also left behind other giants:
- Pushpa 2: The Rule – ₹10.65 crore
- Stree 2 – ₹8.5 crore
- Chennai Express – ₹6.75 crore
For Kalyan’s fans, these numbers were a sweet reminder of his star power.
North America Box Office Success
The wave carried over to the US and Canada. With USD 3 million collected just from premieres, the film became the biggest Telugu release of the year in the region. As reported, advance sales had already filled up several shows before release day. The overseas response has given the film a strong global push right out of the gate.
Pawan Kalyan’s Grand Comeback
The response feels even bigger considering Kalyan’s last outing, Hari Hara Veer Mallu, didn’t land well with audiences. This time, fans got the thrill they were waiting for. Videos from theaters show packed crowds, cheers, and celebrations. The actor’s screen presence hasn’t dimmed one bit—if anything, They Call Him OG has reminded everyone why he’s still called Tollywood’s Power Star.
Sujeeth’s Direction and Emraan Hashmi’s Telugu Debut
At the helm is Sujeeth, best known for directing Saaho. He’s known for big action scenes and stylish visuals, and that matches the film perfectly. Fans like the combination of both action and emotion.
Adding to the excitement is Emraan Hashmi’s debut into Telugu cinema. Playing the antagonist Omi, his role has drawn strong reactions, with many calling it one of his most striking performances in recent years. For an actor making a regional debut, that’s no small feat.
Industry Reactions and Future Prospects
Trade analysts are calling this opening one of the strongest in recent memory. With theaters packed through the weekend, there’s already talk of the film joining the ranks of the highest-grossing Telugu films of the decade.
The makers had sold the movie’s rights for around ₹120 crore, and with such a thunderous start, breaking even looks like a matter of days. If the trend holds, the film could easily surpass initial expectations and set new benchmarks for Tollywood.
What’s Next for Pawan Kalyan?
For fans, this feels like the start of a new chapter. They Call Him OG has brought Pawan Kalyan back into the spotlight in a way few anticipated after his last flop. Conversations around his upcoming projects are already buzzing, while the current release keeps trending across social platforms.
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