Something unusual is happening in theatres this week. A love story that isn’t soft. A gangster film that isn’t just about guns. And a Shahid Kapoor performance people are already calling his “best yet.”
O’Romeo has arrived — and the early reactions are hard to ignore.
Let’s break it down in simple words.
What Is O’Romeo About?
O’Romeo released in cinemas on February 13 and it brings back the powerful director-actor duo of Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor. This is their fourth film together after Kaminey, Haider, and Rangoon — and fans were already expecting something intense.
The film is inspired by a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. It revolves around gangster Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi, and tells a turbulent love story filled with obsession, heartbreak, revenge and brutal consequences.
Unlike a regular romantic film, this one mixes deep emotions with violence. It’s not a light watch. The censor certificate was approved on February 11, and the official runtime is 178 minutes and 41 seconds — almost three hours. So yes, it’s a long and layered story.
The film is produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and features a strong ensemble cast including:
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Shahid Kapoor
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Triptii Dimri
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Nana Patekar
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Avinash Tiwary
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Vikrant Massey
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Tamannaah Bhatia
This marks Shahid’s first collaboration with Triptii Dimri, which is another big talking point.
Shahid Kapoor Performance in O Romeo – Is This His Best Yet
Early reactions from the special screening suggest one thing clearly — Shahid has gone all in.
Mira Rajput, Shahid’s wife, attended the screening and shared an emotional note on Instagram. She called it his “best yet” and wrote that not a single beat was missed. She even described him as relentless and said she felt proud watching him shine on screen.
People who watched the film say Shahid’s eyes do most of the talking. His character moves between vulnerability and raw anger, and that emotional shift seems to be one of the strongest parts of the film.
Many are comparing this performance to Haider, which was considered one of his career-best roles. Some viewers feel O’Romeo might even top that.
That’s a big statement.

How Triptii Dimri Balances Fierce Energy and Soft Innocence
Triptii Dimri’s performance is another major highlight in early reviews.
Mira Rajput described her portrayal as filled with “ferocity and innocence,” which perfectly captures the contrast of her character. According to early viewers, Triptii balances vulnerability with strength in a very natural way.
This is her first film with Shahid Kapoor, and their on-screen chemistry has been getting attention already. Many feel she brings emotional weight to the story instead of just being a supporting character in a gangster narrative.
Triptii has been choosing intense roles lately, and O’Romeo seems to continue that pattern. Her character isn’t one-dimensional. She reacts, she fights back, and she carries emotional depth.
Homi Adajania and Industry Reactions
Before public reviews started coming in, a special industry screening was organised.
Filmmaker Homi Adajania, who is currently working with Shahid on Cocktail 2, shared his reaction online. He described the film as “Love and gore galore” and praised Vishal Bhardwaj’s storytelling. He also called Shahid “so good” and said Triptii is extremely watchable.
That phrase — love and gore — pretty much sums up what people are saying about the tone of the film.
Mira Rajput also praised:
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Vishal Bhardwaj’s finesse as a director
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The background score
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Nana Patekar’s strong presence
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Tamannaah Bhatia’s screen appearance
It’s clear the supporting cast also leaves an impression.

Vishal Bhardwaj’s Emotional Note Before Release
Just before release, Vishal Bhardwaj shared something very personal.
He wrote about how O’Romeo explores two extreme emotions that define him — rage against injustice and deep love for humanity. At 60, he said he is only now starting to understand his repeated theme of revenge in films.
He called the project cathartic and deeply personal. He also thanked his team and called them the real heroes of the film.
That insight gives the film more depth. It’s not just a crime story — it seems to reflect something personal from the director himself.
O Romeo Movie Details You Should Know
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Is O’Romeo Worth Watching?
If you enjoy:
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Intense love stories
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Gangster dramas
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Strong performances
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Vishal Bhardwaj’s style of storytelling
Then this film might be for you.
However, be prepared for a long runtime and heavy emotional themes. This is not a casual weekend rom-com. It demands attention.
The first reactions are largely positive, especially for performances. Now the real test will be audience response and box office numbers in the coming days.
But one thing is clear — O’Romeo is not being ignored.
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Source(Image / Thumbnail): www.livemint.com