I went into Ohh My Dog expecting a simple film about children and dogs, but I ended up getting something quite different. There is a thriller running underneath the story, yet what stayed with me most was the bond between humans and dogs. The film keeps coming back to one simple thought. Humans need dogs and dogs need humans too.
The story moves through two different tracks. One follows Apu, a smart young boy who gets pulled into a strange situation after his friend Momo disappears. The other follows Oscar, a loyal dog who sets out to find Prince after he suddenly goes missing. What I liked here was how both journeys slowly begin to feel connected. Apu and Oscar are very different characters, but both are driven by the same thing. They simply refuse to abandon someone they love.
Apu is probably the character I enjoyed watching most. He is clever, curious and fearless in a way that feels quite natural for a kid. When nobody seems willing to help him, he starts looking for answers himself. His teacher Krishna becomes part of this little adventure too. Their journey gives the film plenty of lighter moments while slowly pushing the story forward.
Oscar, meanwhile, won me over without saying a single word. Some of his scenes genuinely touched me. There is something about a dog's loyalty that can make even a simple scene hit harder than expected. Oscar never feels like just another animal added for cuteness. He becomes an important part of the story.
There is also a darker side hiding underneath all this innocence. Greed brings both stories into the world of crime and exploitation. The film touches on organ trafficking and animal trafficking while showing how vulnerable people and animals can become when money takes over everything. I liked this part because it gives the film something more than a basic kids' adventure.
The second half does slow down a little. A few things happen rather conveniently and some parts felt stretched. The storyline involving the street dogs coming together was interesting, but I felt the writing could have handled that section better. Still, these problems did not last long. The film soon found its rhythm again.
What really worked for me was the emotional side. Ohh My Dog never tries too hard to make you cry. Instead, it allows small moments between people and dogs to do the job. Sometimes a look or a little gesture says more than a long dialogue. That worked surprisingly well.
The cinematography also adds a lot to the experience. The two locations have their own identity, and the camera captures both the urgency and warmth of the story nicely. The background music fits the mood too. I especially liked how the film moves between its two storylines without making things feel completely disconnected.
Amit Rai handles the film with a good balance. There is crime, suspense, humour and emotion here, yet the film still feels accessible for younger viewers. That was probably not an easy balance to maintain. For most of the runtime, he manages it quite well.
The performances are another strong point. Pankaj Tripathi brings his usual warmth as Masterji while Sulakhyana Baruah is equally sincere as Krishna. Pavan Malhotra adds plenty of fun as the angry but good-hearted cop. Rajesh Kumar and Vijay Mishra also bring some nice comic touches to their characters.
Maahi Rai does a wonderful job as Apu. He brings plenty of energy and confidence to the role without making the character annoying. To be honest, tho, Oscar and Bruno won my heart. I found myself caring more about their trips than I had anticipated because both dogs offer such warmth to the movie.
I like Ohh My Dog because it gets why people bond so deeply with animals. Dogs don't give a damn about power, money, or status. They will return the favor in ways that truly make you happy if you show them love and dedication.
I was pleased with it even tho there were a few dull moments in the second half. Ohh My Dog functions as a charming little thriller with a focus on devotion, companionship, and compassion. Animal lovers will probably connect with it even more. For everyone else, it is still a warm and entertaining watch with plenty of heart.