Hyderabad: Power Star Pawan Kalyan has returned to the silver screen with a bang after the disappointing run of Hari Hara Veer Mallu. His latest film, They Call Him OG, directed by Sujeeth of Saaho fame, has created history at the box office with its paid premieres, setting a new benchmark for Indian cinema.
Record-breaking premiere collections
According to trade reports shared by Sacnilk, They Call Him OG has raked in over ₹23 crore from its premiere shows alone, making it the biggest premiere day collection ever recorded in India. The record was previously held by Pawan Kalyan himself, with Hari Hara Veer Mallu earning ₹15 crore through premieres.
The film’s performance has also surpassed several other major releases. Allu Arjun’s much-awaited Pushpa 2: The Rule collected about ₹10.65 crore from premiere shows, while Stree 2, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, made ₹8.5 crore. Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s Chennai Express had earned ₹6.75 crore through paid previews.
By comfortably crossing these figures, Pawan Kalyan has reaffirmed his box office dominance, leaving both trade analysts and fans in awe.
Strong first-day momentum
The film’s stellar run did not stop at the premieres. On its opening day, They Call Him OG continued to maintain momentum, collecting ₹11.61 crore by 11 am. With audiences turning out in massive numbers, trade experts predict that the film is on course to surpass its record-breaking premiere figures by the evening.
The strong buzz around the action-packed entertainer is evident in theatres across the Telugu states, where fans are celebrating the film like a festival with midnight and early morning shows running housefull.
International dominance in North America
The excitement surrounding They Call Him OG has also translated overseas, especially in North America, the biggest international market for Telugu cinema. The film crossed the USD 3 million mark from its premiere shows in the region, making it the highest-grossing Telugu film of 2025 in North America from premieres alone.
This achievement highlights Pawan Kalyan’s massive overseas following and underscores the global appeal of Telugu cinema, which continues to expand its footprint year after year.
High stakes at the box office
Despite the thunderous opening, They Call Him OG has significant ground to cover before achieving break-even. The film was sold for approximately ₹12 crore nearly three years ago, and with interest accruals and additional costs, its final valuation has increased. Analysts suggest that sustained performance over the coming weeks will be crucial in ensuring profitability.
However, if the opening trends are any indication, the film is expected to post strong numbers both domestically and internationally in its first week, giving it a comfortable head start.
Emraan Hashmi’s Telugu debut
Adding to the film’s appeal is the debut of Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi in Telugu cinema. Playing the role of Omi, Hashmi has already earned praise for his performance, with audiences appreciating his screen presence and character arc.
The actor will next be seen in Awarapaan 2, opposite Disha Patani, directed by Nitin Kakkar. His foray into Telugu cinema with They Call Him OG marks another step in his expanding career across regional industries.
Conclusion
With They Call Him OG, Pawan Kalyan has reaffirmed his box office dominance, shattering records with unprecedented premiere collections and carrying the momentum into its opening day. The film’s international success, particularly in North America, further strengthens its position as one of the most significant Telugu releases of recent times. While challenges remain in terms of achieving financial breakeven, the thunderous start indicates that Pawan Kalyan’s comeback has struck the right chord with fans worldwide.