Shahid Kapoor’s O’Romeo Legal Row: The whole excitement regarding Bollywood’s O’Romeo, the highly anticipated action-thriller by Vishal Bhardwaj and with Shahid Kapoor in the lead, has come to a twist no one expected with the legal dispute that has surfaced just weeks ahead of its release in cinemas set for February 13, 2026.
Shahid Kapoor’s O’Romeo Legal Row
The dispute mainly revolves around the legal notice sent by Sanober Shaikh, daughter of the late underworld don Hussain Ustara, to the makers of O’Romeo. She reportedly is asking for ₹2 crore as compensation and wants the producers to either stop or completely cancel the movie’s release until her issue is resolved. Shaikh’s main concern is that the film might depict her father unfavorably, thus harming her family’s reputation.
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, a source close to the development stated, “The letter has been addressed to producer Sajid Nadiadwala of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and director Vishal Bhardwaj last week. It claims that O’Romeo probably shows Hussain Ustara in a bad light, thereby impacting the family’s reputation. Hence, she has asked for ₹2 crores for the same. Along with the monetary demand, Sanober has also reportedly requested the makers to halt or cancel the film’s release until her concerns are addressed to her satisfaction.”
The notice has been served on producer Sajid Nadiadwala of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and director Vishal Bhardwaj, leading to a legal drama that has swiftly turned into one of the largest pre-release controversies of the year.
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What’s Behind the Claims?
While the filmmakers have not officially confirmed that O’Romeo is based on Hussain Ustara or real-life underworld figures, industry speculation and early promotional material have fueled the dispute. The film’s teaser released on January 10 carries a disclaimer stating that it is “inspired by real events”, which many interpret as a nod to actual personalities and incidents from Mumbai’s underworld past.
The filmmaker wrote, “I would also like to clear that the film is still untitled and is not based on Rahima Khan/Sapna Didi’s life. Yes, it’s a takeoff from the story Femme Fatale from Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai but as we worked on this idea, the story and screenplay have taken on a new identity and shape which is nowhere close to the above-mentioned names. Hence, it’s definitely not a biopic (sic).”
Seven-Day Ultimatum
According to some reports, Sanober Shaikh has also given the producers a seven-day deadline to meet her demands including the ₹2 crore compensation or face further legal action. This kind of ultimatum so close to release date raises fresh questions about whether the film’s theatrical plans might be delayed or altered as lawyers and studio executives review their options.
Cast, Release and Ongoing Buzz
Despite the legal conflict, O’Romeo continues to generate attention for its stellar ensemble cast and creative team. Alongside Shahid Kapoor, the film stars Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Vikrant Massey, Disha Patani, Nana Patekar, and Farida Jalal, among others.
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The film has been described as a gritty action-romance with roots in underworld drama, and its February 13 release slots it perfectly in the Valentine’s Day weekend.
