‘Ohh My Dog’ director Amit Rai raises two concerns: Stray welfare and the decline of children’s cinema
Filmmaker Amit Rai says his latest film, Ohh My Dog, is more than a family entertainer—it is a heartfelt appeal for compassion towards stray dogs and a reminder of the importance of meaningful children’s cinema.
Calling the title a playful nod to his earlier hit Oh My God 2, Rai says the film was inspired by his pet dog, Oscar. “You think you rescue a dog, but eventually you realise the dog rescues you with unconditional love,” he says. Released at a time when the issue of stray dogs is under public and legal scrutiny, Ohh My Dog advocates coexistence rather than cruelty.
Drawing from the Mahabharata episode in which Yudhishthir refuses to enter heaven without his dog, Rai says compassion should never be sacrificed while addressing the stray dog issue. “We have to find a solution, but we can’t be ruthless. If we stop showing compassion to animals today, we risk losing compassion for fellow humans tomorrow,” he says, while also acknowledging the efforts of volunteers and dog feeders who care for community animals.
The project gained momentum after another film starring Rani Mukerji was shelved due to creative differences. Rai says he chose to move ahead with Ohh My Dog despite financial challenges, even co-producing the film himself. Shot across Assam and Bihar, the film features several real, untrained stray dogs. One of its major sequences involving more than 200 dogs chasing an ambulance was filmed with the support of an NGO that regularly feeds community dogs.
The trailer also features Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic song “Mere Paas Aao Mere Dosto,” with Sa Re Ga Ma waiving the licensing fee after appreciating the film’s intent. Starring Rai’s son Mahi alongside Pawan Malhotra and Pankaj Tripathi, the film follows a young boy’s emotional search for his missing dog. Rai says the story celebrates loyalty, love and kindness between humans and animals.
The filmmaker also expresses concern over the decline of children’s films in India. “In the last 10 years, we have hardly made meaningful films for children. If we don’t create cinema for them, how will they develop an appreciation for films and the values they can impart?” he says.