Nov 14, 2026 11:14am IST
‘O.M’ Trailer Review: Dhanush Infiltrates Mammootty’s Crime Empire as Sai Pallavi Leads a High-Stakes Operation
The trailer of "O.M", starring Dhanush, Mammootty and Sai Pallavi, is out. Written and directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, the action thriller revolves around a police operation targeting a criminal network involved in the illegal red sandalwood trade. The film, previously announced as "OM: Chapter 1 – Udhiram – The Blood Wood", is now being presented as "O.M – Operation Mole".
The trailer introduces Sai Pallavi as CBI officer Nithya Reddy, who leads Operation Mole, a mission aimed at bringing down the network. Dhanush plays an undercover officer who infiltrates the operation's target, while Mammootty appears as Burma Karthikeyan, a powerful figure associated with the criminal world. Their paths are set to collide as the investigation moves deeper into the smuggling network.
The footage offers glimpses of Dhanush and Mammootty in action, with the forest setting forming an important part of the conflict. The story also draws from real-life incidents, according to the filmmaker. Sreeleela plays Dhanush's wife, while Indrans features as his father. Naseeruddin Shah is also part of the ensemble cast.
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The biggest draw is the combination of Dhanush, Mammootty and Sai Pallavi, each occupying a distinct position in the film's central conflict. Dhanush's undercover assignment gives the story its tension, while Mammootty's Burma Karthikeyan appears to be a formidable presence on the other side. Sai Pallavi, meanwhile, is not merely positioned on the sidelines of the action. Her character leads the investigation, giving the police operation a clear centre.
The red sandalwood trade and forest backdrop offer the film a specific setting beyond the familiar crime-thriller framework. However, the trailer also leans heavily on action, confrontations and the promise of a larger criminal network. It establishes the stakes and the scale, but leaves the finer details of the characters' motivations and relationships under wraps. The Dhanush-Mammootty combination is compelling on paper; whether the screenplay gives their face-off enough depth will be key.
"O.M" marks the first collaboration between Dhanush and Mammootty. Rajkumar Periasamy returns after directing "Amaran", the 2024 biographical action drama starring Sivakarthikeyan. The film also features Sai Abhyankkar's music, with Ezhil Arasu K handling cinematography and R Kalaivanan serving as editor. Action choreography is by Yannick Ben and Kecha Khamphakdee.
Produced by Dhanush, Shraddha Agrawal and Azmat Jagmag under Wunderbar Films and RTake Studios, "O.M" is set to release worldwide in theatres on November 20, 2026. The film is scheduled to arrive in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
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