How Pawan Kalyan’s ‘They Call Him OG’ OTT Rights Got a Record ₹92 Crore Price Tag

Summary: Netflix paid roughly ₹92 crore for They Call Him OG’s OTT rights. Short theatrical windows, star power, multilingual reach, and strong box office drove the high valuation — lessons for producers and buyers on timing and packaging.

Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG

New Delhi, October 23, 2025 – The film industry is talking a lot about a huge deal. It involves the Telugu blockbuster movie ‘They Call Him OG.’ This movie stars the megastar Pawan Kalyan. A top streaming giant, Netflix, has bought the movie’s Over-The-Top (OTT) rights.

The reported price is a massive ₹92 crore. This is one of the biggest digital deals ever for a South Indian film. This deal teaches us important lessons about movie valuation and release timing.

The headline numbers

The biggest public figure about the streaming deal is the reported price. Industry reports say Netflix bought the digital rights for about ₹92 crore. That figure made headlines because it is very high for a single-film OTT deal in the Telugu market.

The movie also pulled strong theatrical numbers. Close estimates put the worldwide gross near ₹280–₹285 crore. Strong theatre runs help lift digital valuations.

Why does Netflix pay this big amount for ‘They Call Him OG’ OTT Rights

1. Short theatrical window raises urgency

Traditionally, Indian films waited many weeks before streaming. Now the gap is often short. They Call Him OG moved to OTT just four weeks after release. A short window creates a fresh, buzz-driven audience on the streamer. Platforms pay a premium to capture that buzz.

2. Pre-release and pre-negotiated deals

Some streaming platforms secure rights before or around theatrical release. That can lock big titles into a platform’s slate. Reports suggest the streaming deal for OG was agreed early as part of broader planning by the makers and the buyer. Buying early reduces competition from other streamers and helps platforms plan promotions.

3. Multi-language reach multiplies value

They Call Him OG was released in multiple languages and then streamed in five languages. A film that can draw audiences across regions is more valuable. Platforms factor in dubbed-language viewership when valuing rights. Netflix’s multi-language release made the title attractive to pan-India and overseas viewers.

How They Call Him OG OTT rights are valued — the main factors

1. Star power and fandom

Pawan Kalyan is a major star. Stars bring core fans who will seek the film on streaming. Platforms measure a star’s pull by social media buzz, advance ticket sales, and past streaming numbers. A strong star can push prices up quickly.

2. Theatrical performance and momentum

Box office numbers are the clearest proof of commercial appeal. A hit film reduces risk for platforms. If a film earns well in theatres, the streamer expects good repeat or casual viewership. They Call Him OG’s healthy theatrical figures were a key reason buyers felt confident paying a high fee.

3. Release timing and exclusive windows

A short theatrical-to-OTT window increases urgency to secure exclusive streaming rights. Platforms pay more for early exclusivity because it drives short-term subscriptions and higher initial view counts. Buyers also use exclusive streaming windows to headline marketing campaigns.

4. Language rights and territory licensing

Rights can be sold in bundles: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, overseas, etc. A bundled, pan-India deal is pricier. If a platform wants global streaming, it will pay more. For OG, multilingual and global appeal supported a higher valuation.

5. Content suitability and certification

Adult or “A” certified films can be both an asset and a limit. They may attract a certain audience profile. For some platforms, edgier content increases brand variety. But certification can lower family-viewing hours. Buyers weigh these trade-offs in pricing.

Valuation Lessons for the Indian Film Industry

The OG deal gives important lessons to the Indian film industry.

• Star is King: The biggest driver for OTT valuation is the star’s fan following. Mega-stars will always command premium prices for their digital rights.
• Multi-Language is a Must: Selling rights for all five major South and North Indian languages is key. A Pan-India deal ensures the highest possible revenue.
• Speed vs. Exclusivity: Producers must choose between getting a higher price for a short window or settling for a lower price for a longer theatrical run. The OG makers chose to cash in on the high demand with a short window.

The ₹92 crore deal for OG confirms that the digital market is booming. It shows the incredible value of a major star and a Pan-India release strategy.