Since OG Pawan Kalyan’s much-hyped film created big initial noise, it took only a couple of days for the buzz to die down, both in North America and in Nizam. This raises the question: why does a star-driven film collapse so quickly?
The problem is clear when you look at the content. It isn’t just about ticket prices. North America didn’t even have that factor, yet the film still fizzled after pre-sales. The real issue lies in the story of the film.
Directors often claim they made a “fan film,” boasting that fans will raise their collars etc. But that approach is flawed. A smart director builds a strong story first, then blends those fan moments into the narrative. That’s how a film becomes unstoppable.
Look at Pawan Kalyan’s big hits. Attarintiki Daredi worked as a wholesome family entertainer because the elevations came from the story. Gabbar Singh entertained everyone like no other, but again, those moments landed because they were rooted in the plot.
OG fails here. The film is a template gangster drama with no real story. Sujeeth delivered elevations that pleased fans on the first day, but once audiences walked out, the cracks were obvious. When people say “this is for Pawan Kalyan fans,” it’s a red flag. It means the film lacks universal appeal and cannot spread positive word of mouth beyond the die hard fan base. That’s why the box office collapsed so quickly.
Sujeeth had a golden opportunity. If he had strengthened the story, especially in the second half, OG could have been another complete film for Pawan Kalyan after Gabbar Singh. Instead, he leaned only on hero elevations and neglected the plot. Weak writing is to blame, and the responsibility lies with the director.
We saw the same with Ajith’s Good Bad Ugly. It thrilled his fans but failed to pull in general audiences. When a film is labeled as pure fan service, it usually signals that there’s no real substance.
The takeaway for directors is simple: when you get the chance to direct a star, don’t waste it on empty elevations. Build a strong, tight story first, and the rest will fall into place.
