OG Box Office Day 1: Records and Million-Dollar Start

 

OG Box Office Day 1: Records and Million-Dollar Start

Hyderabad, September 26, 2025 – The pan-India action thriller They Call Him OG, starring the indefatigable Pawan Kalyan, has shattered box office barriers on its opening day, raking in a staggering ₹100.25 crore worldwide on September 25, 2025, marking the biggest single-day haul for a Telugu film in history. Directed by Sujeeth and produced by D.V.V. Danayya under DVV Entertainment, the film—titled They Call Him OG for its Hindi and pan-India release—opened to thunderous reception across 4,500 screens domestically and 1,200 overseas, achieving 95% occupancy in Andhra Pradesh-Telangana (APT) and 85% in the North Belt. This million-dollar start, surpassing the previous record held by Prabhas' Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (₹90.25 crore on Day 1 in December 2023), underscores Pawan Kalyan's enduring mass appeal, even as he balances his role as Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister. Emraan Hashmi's menacing portrayal as the antagonist Omi Bhau added Bollywood gravitas, drawing urban multiplex crowds, while Priyanka Mohan's romantic lead and Thaman S's pulsating score amplified the film's sonic assault. As the Power Star's 2025 comeback after Hari Hara Veera Mallu's delays, OG not only reclaimed his box office throne but also signaled Tollywood's pan-India dominance, with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam contributing ₹25 crore to the global tally. With advance bookings crossing ₹32 crore pre-release and midnight shows in 1,000 theaters selling out in minutes, the film's Day 1 frenzy—fueled by fan processions and social media storms—has set the stage for a ₹500 crore worldwide weekend. In a year where Telugu cinema eyes ₹5,000 crore aggregate, OG's records aren't anomalies—they're affirmations of Pawan Kalyan's unbreakable bond with the masses, a million-dollar milestone that roars louder than any dialogue.

They Call Him OG, officially released on September 25, 2025, after a whirlwind promotional tour that saw Pawan Kalyan chopper-landing at the #OGConcert in Hyderabad on September 21, has lived up to its hype as a gangster epic laced with emotional depth. The film's narrative, penned by Sujeeth in his sophomore directorial after the 2018 Prabhas starrer Saaho, follows Ojas Gambheera (Pawan Kalyan), a reformed don pulled back into Mumbai's underbelly for a vengeance-fueled reckoning, clashing with Emraan Hashmi's silver-tongued psycho Omi Bhau. Priyanka Mohan's resilient journalist adds romantic tension, while Prakash Raj's grizzled advisor chews scenery with gravitas. Thaman S's score, blending trap beats with violin wails, has already spawned chart-toppers like "Firestorm" (50 million streams in 24 hours) and "Suvvi Suvvi" (monsoon romance duet). The UA 16+ certification ensured edge without excess, balancing mass whistles with family resonance. Day 1's ₹100.25 crore haul—₹60 crore domestic, ₹40.25 crore overseas—eclipses Pawan's Bheemla Nayak (₹95 crore Day 1 in 2022) and Prabhas' Adipurush (₹90 crore in 2023), a record etched in the annals of Indian cinema. As theaters in Vijayawada and Hyderabad report 100% occupancy for morning shows, OG's start isn't just financial—it's phenomenal, a testament to Pawan's political stardom translating to silver-screen sovereignty.

Day 1 Breakdown: APT Dominance and National Surge

OG's Day 1 collections were a symphony of regional dominance, with Andhra Pradesh-Telangana (APT) leading the charge at ₹45.25 crore—a 98% occupancy bonanza driven by Pawan's grassroots appeal. Hyderabad's multiplexes like Prasads and Sandhya 70mm reported sold-out houses from 6:00 AM, fans in yellow T-shirts chanting "Power Star" during intervals. Vijayawada and Guntur added ₹15 crore, rural single-screens in Krishna district crossing ₹5 crore despite limited prints. The Telugu version, dubbed in-house by DVV, captured 95% of APT's market, with family audiences flocking for the 2.5-hour runtime's emotional peaks.

Nationwide, the Hindi version raked ₹20 crore, Emraan Hashmi's Omi Bhau drawing urban crowds in Delhi's PVR and Mumbai's Inox—occupancy 85%, multiplexes at 90%. North India's UP and Bihar contributed ₹8 crore, Pawan's Vakeel Saab (2021) fanbase bridging the language gap. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka added ₹5 crore each, dubbed prints in Chennai's Rohini and Bengaluru's PVR Vega hitting 80% fills. Kerala and overseas markets—US (₹10 crore from 500 screens), UK (£2 million from 150 screens), and Gulf (₹3 crore)—rounded the global ₹40.25 crore. Breakdown? Balanced—APT's avalanche, national's nuance, OG's orbit expanding.

Pawan Kalyan's Pull: The Power Star Phenomenon

Pawan Kalyan's Day 1 pull was the phenomenon propelling OG, his 53-year-old charisma—honed in 25 years and 30 films grossing ₹3,000 crore—transcending screens to stadiums. As Andhra's Deputy CM since June 2024, Pawan's dual life fueled frenzy: The #OGConcert September 21 drew 40,000 in Hyderabad despite rains, his chopper entrance in OG's trench coat igniting roars. Fans' devotion—Jana Sena Party workers screening midnight shows in Guntur—translated to 98% APT occupancy, rural single-screens ₹5 crore from villages where Pawan's 2024 election rallies echoed.

His OG portrayal—brooding don with scarred honor—resonated, the trailer's sword duel 100 million views. Pull? Potent—Power Star's phenomenon, OG's orbit.

Emraan Hashmi's Hindi Hustle: Bollywood Bridge Builder

Emraan Hashmi's Day 1 hustle bridged Bollywood to Tollywood, his Omi Bhau—silver-tongued psycho—drawing ₹20 crore Hindi. Debuting Telugu post-Tiger 3 (2023), Hashmi's Urdu taunts and penthouse smirks appealed multiplexes, Delhi PVR 90% occupancy. "Emraan bhai's villainy chef's kiss," trended X, 1M posts. Hustle? Hindi's—Hashmi's bridge, OG's buzz.

Sujeeth's Sophomore Slam: Direction's Dynamite

Sujeeth's sophomore slam ignited OG, his Saaho (2018) visuals matured into focused fury—rain-slicked duels, VFX swordplay ₹20 crore budget. Day 1's ₹100 crore validated vision, his script's betrayal-redemption arc resonating. Slam? Sophomore's—Sujeeth's dynamite, direction's delight.

DVV Danayya's Producer Power: Gamble to Glory

D.V.V. Danayya's producer power turned OG's ₹300 crore gamble to glory, RRR (2022) Oscar pedigree backing Pawan's ₹100 crore pay. Day 1 ₹100 crore recouped 33%, dubbed versions 20% overseas. Power? Producer's—Danayya's gamble, glory's gold.

Global and Overseas Onslaught: NRI's Nostalgia and Diaspora Dollars

Onslaught overseas: US 500 screens ₹10 crore, UK 150 £2M, Gulf ₹3 crore—NRIs nostalgia Pawan's Gabbar Singh (2012). Australia ₹1 crore, Canada $500K. Onslaught? Overseas—OG's global grip.

Fan Frenzy: Social Media Storm and Sankranti Saga

Frenzy fan: #OGDay1 4M X September 26, memes Pawan's sword "cuts records." r/Tollywood September 25 300K "₹500 crore weekend?" Saga? Sankranti—frenzy's fire.

Future Forecasts: Akhanda 2's Assault on ₹300 Cr Throne

Forecasts future: OG ₹500 crore weekend, ₹1,000 crore lifetime—Sankranti throne unchallenged. Forecasts? Fortuitous—assault assured.

Cultural Core: OG's Message of Grit and Glory

Core cultural: OG's grit-glory—reformed don's redemption, loyalty's lash. Message? Mighty—cultural crusade, cinema's core.

September 26's Sequel Saga: OG's Opening Odyssey Continues

September 26, 2025, saga OG's—Day 1 records, million-dollar start, pan-India buzz. Odyssey? Ongoing—Balayya's blaze, box office's bliss.