At a promotional event in Hyderabad on Sunday, 21 September, Kalyan appeared wielding a katana and spun it — apparently Samurai-style, sans the focused swordsmanship — the blade narrowly missing a bodyguard.
Published Sep 23, 2025 | 4:20 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 23, 2025 | 4:20 PM
A poster of Pawan Kalyan's OG.
Synopsis: York Cinemas, a Canada-based theatre chain, announced the cancellation of all OG screenings. In a press release, the company promised a full refund of all tickets sold. It cited growing concerns over cultural and political forces surrounding the film’s distribution in North America, warning they could pose risks to public safety and security.
Even as the mega gangster thriller, They Call Him OG — or simply OG — is set to release on Thursday, 25 September, the movie and its lead actor, Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, have grabbed the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
If Kalyan’s theatrics created news back home, the movie is facing serious accusations and possible remedial action by a Canada-based company for “conveying false information”.
At a promotional event in Hyderabad on Sunday, 21 September, Kalyan appeared wielding a katana and spun it — apparently Samurai-style, sans the focused swordsmanship — the blade narrowly missing a bodyguard.
The incident shocked many. A video that went viral on social media sparked outrage. The national media criticised Kalyan for indulging in theatrics unbefitting his office, calling it a “cheap stunt” aimed only at rousing crowds.
Meanwhile, York Cinemas, a Canada-based theatre chain, announced the cancellation of all OG screenings. In a press release, the company promised a full refund of all tickets sold. It cited growing concerns over cultural and political forces surrounding the film’s distribution in North America, warning they could pose risks to public safety and security.
“We sincerely apologise to our patrons for any inconvenience. The safety of our patrons, employees, and the public remains our top priority,” the company stated, indirectly pointing to concerns about the aggressive behaviour of sections of the actor’s fan base.
York Cinemas also accused individuals linked to the film’s North American distributors of unethical practices. The statement alleged that attempts were made to artificially inflate sales numbers to boost the future value of South Asian films.
It further claimed such individuals were fostering divisions within South Asian communities based on political affiliations and social standing. Rejecting such practices, York Cinemas declared it would not engage in unethical dealings and vowed to support all South Asian groups equally.
The theatre chain also hit back at what it described as false statements made by the distributors or their associates to Indian online media about its financial arrangements. It said it “unequivocally denies” such claims and would pursue remedies against those responsible.
⚠️ Press Release (Safety)#YorkCinemas #TheyCallHimOG#OGMovie #Update pic.twitter.com/xoLCVV5oEU
— York Cinemas (@yorkcinemas) September 22, 2025
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
