Pankaj Tripathi’s much-awaited family drama Ohh My Dog will no longer hit theatres on its originally scheduled release date of July 31. The makers have postponed the film by one week, and it is now set to release on August 7.
Director Amit Rai said the decision was made after considering the intense competition from multiple big releases and the limited availability of screens. He also admitted that releasing OMG 2 alongside Gadar 2 in 2023 was a major mistake—one he does not want to repeat.
Why Was Ohh My Dog Postponed?
According to Amit Rai, several major films are already occupying a large number of screens, making it difficult for a new release to secure enough showtimes.
He pointed out that Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey continues to perform strongly in theatres, while Dhamaal 4 is also running multiple shows every day. In addition, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is expected to open with massive numbers, attracting a significant share of family audiences.
With so many high-profile films competing for screens, Rai felt that Ohh My Dog would struggle to get the theatrical space it deserved. As a result, the makers decided it would be more practical to postpone the release by a week.
Early Preview Screenings Boosted the Team’s Confidence
Before announcing the new release date, the filmmakers organized special preview screenings for friends, family members, and selected audiences in Jaipur, Lucknow, and Kolkata.
Rai revealed that the film received an overwhelmingly positive response, especially from children, whose reactions exceeded the team’s expectations. The encouraging feedback convinced the makers that the film deserved a better release window so it could reach a much wider audience.
A Lesson Learned From the OMG 2 vs Gadar 2 Clash
Amit Rai admitted that he still regrets releasing OMG 2 on the same day as Gadar 2.
Although OMG 2 performed well and collected around ₹188 crore, Gadar 2 dominated the box office with earnings of nearly ₹500–600 crore.
The director believes that if OMG 2 had received a solo release, it could have comfortably earned ₹300–350 crore. Learning from that experience, he decided to shift the release date of Ohh My Dog rather than repeat the same mistake.
Avoiding a Direct Clash With Big Releases
Rai also noted that Spider-Man: Brand New Day is expected to open with around ₹50 crore at the box office. In such a competitive environment, securing enough screens for another film becomes extremely difficult.
He said the team felt it was better to wait for one week, allowing audiences to watch the major releases first. This would give Ohh My Dog a better opportunity to secure more screens and enjoy a stronger theatrical run.
What Is Ohh My Dog About?
The film stars Pankaj Tripathi, Pavan Malhotra, and Maahi Rai in key roles. It is an emotional family drama that revolves around the heartwarming bond between a young child and a stray dog. The story also sheds light on the serious issue of dog trafficking.
One of the film’s biggest highlights is that it features more than 250 real dogs, including trained canine stars Oscar and Bruno, adding authenticity to the narrative.
A Tough Box Office Battle
The postponement comes at a time when theatres are already crowded with several major releases. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey continues to perform strongly worldwide, while Spider-Man: Brand New Day is gearing up for a massive theatrical release.
Although the new Spider-Man film will not receive IMAX screens due to The Odyssey‘s four-week IMAX exclusivity window, it is still expected to dominate regular screens across the country, making it even more challenging for smaller family-oriented films to secure adequate theatrical space.