The much-awaited Telugu action drama They Call Him OG, starring superstar Pawan Kalyan and marking Emraan Hashmi’s debut in South Indian cinema, finally hit theaters worldwide on September 25. With massive hype, strong advance bookings in India and abroad, and a pan-India release strategy, the film was expected to enjoy a dream run. But just as the celebrations began, a major setback arrived from the Telangana High Court.

High Court Stays Government’s Special Screening Order

In a surprising turn, Justice NV Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court issued a stay order against the state government’s directive that permitted special screenings and increased ticket pricing for OG. The government order, passed on September 19, allowed a one-time special screening on September 24 at 9 PM with tickets priced at nearly ₹800 (inclusive of GST). Additionally, it temporarily permitted hiked ticket prices for regular shows between September 25 and October 4 — ₹100 for single screens and ₹150 for multiplexes.

However, following a petition challenging this order, the court has now barred these special screenings and ticket hikes, forcing theaters to sell tickets at their original rates.

Fans and Makers Left Disheartened

This unexpected ruling has disappointed not only the producers but also fans of Pawan Kalyan, many of whom had already booked tickets for the premiere show. The decision is seen as a major blow to the makers, who had counted on the premium pricing and special screenings to maximize revenue during the opening run.

Despite this setback, the film has opened strongly across Telugu and Hindi belts, but the impact of the court’s ruling in Telangana remains significant. The producers and distributors are reportedly considering further legal action, with the next hearing scheduled for October 9.