
They Call Him OG: Pawan Kalyan's Actioner Faces Setback in Hindi Market
Mumbai, September 9 - Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan's gangster action thriller They Call Him OG is one of the most-anticipated films. It is carrying excellent buzz among the fans, especially in Telugu states, where it is expected to open with massive numbers at the box office. While the film's box office potential is unquestionable in the Telugu market, it was widely anticipated to be Pawan Kalyan's breakthrough film in the Hindi market, given the decent buzz surrounding it. The presence of Emraan Hashmi was an advantage, as trade experts had hoped the film would open new doors for the star in the North belt. However, the latest reports suggest that the Hindi release plans have taken a massive setback. According to reports, OG is set to have a limited release in the North belt, as the film will not find a place in multiplex chains. As per industry norms, for any film to secure a multiplex release in Hindi circuits, it must run in theatres for a minimum of eight weeks before heading to streaming. In the case of OG, or for most of the South Indian films, it reportedly has a pre-agreement with an OTT platform for a limited theatrical release, which means the multiplexes are not on board for the Hindi release. Reports say Pawan Kalyan won't be promoting the movie outside the Telugu states. This comes as a major blow to OG's box office prospects in North India. With multiplexes out of the equation, the film is unlikely to find much ground in single screens either. Adding to the challenge, Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi's much-awaited comedy drama Jolly LLB 3 hits theatres just a week before OG, further limiting its chances to make a dent in the Hindi market through mass centres. While They Call Him OG is expected to score big numbers in its home markets, the Hindi release setback will significantly restrict its pan-India potential, which is particularly a disappointing outcome for the fans of Emraan Hashmi, who has a fan following among the youth. Produced by DVV Entertainment, OG also stars Priyanka Arul Mohan as the female lead. Directed by Saaho fame Sujeeth, the film is scheduled to release on September 25 in multiple languages. Stay tuned...