Box Office vs. Expectations: Why ‘They Call Him OG’ Under-performed After a Mammoth Start

Summary: OG had a massive Day 1 due to star power. But mixed reviews and weak content hurt its long-term box office. High budget meant it underperformed despite large collections.

They Call Him OG Box Office vs. Expectations

The highly anticipated Telugu action-thriller, They Call Him OG (known as OG), starring Power Star Pawan Kalyan, hit Indian cinemas on September 25, 2025. It started with a bang. The Day 1 collections were huge.

The film set a record for the biggest opener of 2025 in India. But the collections dropped fast. Trade analysts and fans soon saw a sharp fall.

Many expected a blockbuster. But the film is now struggling to reach a safe zone at the Indian box office. This makes us look closely at the reasons. Why did a film with such an amazing start underperform?

The Lofty Forecast and Massive Opening Day

The initial buzz for OG was immense. This was because of Pawan Kalyan’s star power. The film’s advance booking was record-breaking.

Aggressive Forecasts

Trade Experts had very high expectations.

Many predicted a worldwide opening day of over ₹150 crore. Some even thought it could beat top pan-India blockbusters like Pathaan or Leo.

The star power was a huge factor. The film was predicted to easily cross the ₹250 crore net mark in India. It was supposed to be a mega-hit.

The Mammoth Start

The film lived up to the hype on the first day. It collected an estimated ₹90.25 crore net in India. This was the biggest opening of 2025. This confirmed Pawan Kalyan’s massive pull with his core audience, mainly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Sharp Dip: Why Assumptions Failed

The huge Day 1 collection gave a false promise. The dip began on Day 2 itself. The collections fell sharply on the first Friday and Saturday. The initial euphoria did not translate into long-term business.

Content Fails Wider Audience

The biggest reason was the mixed word-of-mouth. Beyond the massive fan base, the content did not appeal to the common family audience. Many felt the film was “style over substance.” The story might have lacked the emotional connection needed for a lasting run. Bad reviews spread quickly on social media.

Limited Pan-India Appeal

Despite being released in multiple languages, the film worked mostly only in the Telugu states. The Hindi version earned a very small amount, much less than expected. This showed a failure to promote it as a true pan-India film.

Pawan Kalyan is a big star, but his reach outside the South is limited. The lack of proper promotion in other regions hurt its overall earnings.

High Budget and Breakeven Trouble

The film was made on a very large budget, reportedly around ₹250 crore. To be called a success, the film needed to earn much more. The continuous drop in collections made the break-even target very difficult to achieve in India.

Corrective Actions for Future Big-Budget Films

The performance of OG offers important lessons for other producers. Huge openings are not enough.

Focus on Universal Content

Future films need strong, simple stories that all types of audiences can enjoy. Good ‘content’ is king. The focus should be on a tight screenplay, not just on the hero’s image and stylish making.

Strategic Pan-India Marketing

If a movie is released in many languages, it must be promoted well in all markets. Releasing a film in Hindi is not enough. Proper marketing and city tours are needed to build a genuine buzz outside the home market.

Cost Control and Realistic Pricing

Producers must manage film budgets wisely. A high budget needs an equally big return. Also, movie ticket prices must be affordable after the opening weekend. This helps bring in a larger crowd after the initial fan rush ends.