OG review and release highlights: Pawan Kalyan film runs to packed houses, fans tear up a screen in Bengaluru

'OG is an absolute firestorm. Every bit packed with madness! The intro of @PawanKalyan garu is a straightup BANGER… shown in the most electrifying way possible. Interval and Police Station blocks… pure goosebumps, high moments everywhere! The swag, the attitude… Powerstar back in his full OG style. And our Sensational @MusicThaman… what a rampage bro, that BGM just lit up every single frame! Hungry Cheetah Hunt Begins now!! Congratulations @sujeethsign @navinnooli & the whole team!" wrote producer Naga Vamsi in a new post on X.

OG release live updates: Prasad Multiplexs shared a note, urging fans to bring an extra t-shirt because many fans are ripping their t-shirts during the screening out of the ‘heat of the adrenaline.’

A bunch of rowdy fans reportedly tore through a screen with a sword in a Bengaluru cinema hall. Videos of the same were shared on Reddit.

OG producer DVV Danayya revealed that fellow filmmaker Naga Vamsi had the rights to the title ‘OG’. He said while talking to reporters on Thursday evening, “My thanks to #NagaVamsi for giving us the #OG title. He was the first to register it.”

Fans of Emraan Hashmi have praised the actor's screen presence in OG, but say that he was shortchanged as his character was not menacing enough to be the big bad. “Emraan Hashmi should have given good dialogues and should have beaten Pawan Kalyan atleast once,” argued one fan on Twitter.

Fans of Pawan Kalyan celebrated with confetti in various cinema halls screening OG on Thursday. Videos on social media showed celebratory cheering and sloganeering.

Actor Chiranjeevi praised younger brother Pawan Kalyan for the success of OG in a tweet. The superstar wrote, “Delighted to see Kalyan Babu being celebrated as THE OG – OJAS GHAMBEERA by everyone. Hearty congratulations to dear @PawanKalyan, Director @sujeethsign, Producer #Danayya, Kudos to @MusicThaman and the entire cast & crew on this grand success!”

OG features a flashback sequence linking it to Sujeeth's previous film, Saaho. While Prabhas, the star of Saaho, does not appear himself, the film shows his character's younger version, along with Jackie Shroff.

According to Sacnilk, the morning shows of OG registered an occupancy of 71%, a staggering number for release day. The film has netted over ₹18 crore by 2 PM.

A flashback scene in OG shows Jackie Shroff cradling a boy as a character talks about the backstory of Omi Bhau (Emraan Hashmi) and his exploits in Waaji City. Fans noted that Waaji was the setting of Sujeeth's previous film, Saaho, which starred Jackie as the guardian to Prabhas' character.

Pawan Kalyan fans burst firecrackers outside the theatres in various parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh all through the day, as reports of OG's record-breaking collections came in.

Fans are convinced that director Sujeeth is hinting at a cinematic universe with OG through his note on social media. Many have pointed out that the last line in the note has the letters S, C, and U in uppercase, hinting at a Sujeeth Cinematic Universe.

Actor Ram Charan took to Twitter to praise OG, calling it “not just a film, but a festival for all Powerstar @PawanKalyan Garu fans ❤‍🔥.” He added, “@Sujeethsign has delivered a treat for everyone, and @MusicThaman breathes fire with his music.”

According to Karnataka Box Office, OG has set a new all-time record for collections througj paid premieres for any Telugu film in Karnataka. It beat previous record holders like Salaar, RRR, and Baahubali Part 2.

Arjun Das, who has a supporting role in OG, penned a long note on Twitter to thank Pawan Kalyan, Sujeeth, and the film's team.

Composer Thaman shares note of gratitude for fans ahead of the release. In the note, the composer said he prayed for the success of the film and their ‘leader’, Pawan Kalyan.

The entry scene of Pawan Kalyan in OG is being praised by fans. The film's cinematographer, Ravi K Chandran, revealed it was shot at 5 AM near Mumbai's Gateway of India.

Actor Varun Tej heaped praise on Pawan Kalyan and the film on Twitter. “No words to express! Pure bliss to watch Powerstar unleash on screen!🔥🔥🔥. Make way everyone, the Original Gangster is here!!!”

The Hindustan Times review of OG calls the film 'Sujeeth's love letter to Pawan Kalyan fans', but says it does not work for those who are not hardcore followers of the star. Read the full review here

As per early estimates from trade sources, OG has taken a running start at the box office, collecting ₹14 crore net in India by noon. The momentum will likely pick up in the evening.

DVV Entertainment, the production house behind OG, took to social media on Thursday morning to hail Pawan Kalyan as the ‘box office destructor’.

Pawan Kalyan's OG is touted to earn over ₹150 crore worldwide on its opening day. The record for 2025's biggest opening rests with Rajinikanth's Coolie, which earned ₹150 crore.

Actor Nikhil Siddhartha took to social media to praise OG. “Absolutely Enjoyed #OG last Nights premiere show…A Super Stylish Power Star @PawanKalyan garu, Electrifying Action Episodes, Exhilarating music , with Several Goosebump High Scenes. Congrats to @Sujeethsign @DVVMovies @MusicThaman and the whole team of #OG for the Success,” he wrote.

Pawan Kalyan's star power is on full display as OG has managed to cross ₹12 crore nett collection in India after the morning shows on release day itself.