O Romeo's Decade-Long Journey: Vishal Bhardwaj's Possessive Attachment and Budget Hurdles
The much-anticipated film O Romeo, marking the latest collaboration between acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj and actor Shahid Kapoor, took over a decade to finally materialise. At the trailer launch event, Bhardwaj candidly shared the reasons behind this prolonged delay, revealing a deeply personal connection to the project.
Why Vishal Bhardwaj Held Onto the Story for Years
Vishal Bhardwaj disclosed that after acquiring the rights to the story of O Romeo, he did not attempt to make the film for three to four years. During this period, several directors approached him with requests to take over the project. "Bahut se directors mere paas aaye aur bole, 'Aap bana nahi rahe ho, toh humein de dijiye.' Main itna possessive tha iss kahani ko lekar ki maine kisi ko nahi di. Isiliye yeh journey aisi rahi," he explained. This possessive attachment to the narrative significantly contributed to the extended timeline before production could commence.
As the years passed, the story began to feel stale to Bhardwaj, and the original protagonist had changed from the initial plan. However, his determination to see the project through remained unwavering, despite the evolving creative challenges.
Budget Constraints and Sajid Nadiadwala's Crucial Support
Another major hurdle in bringing O Romeo to life was the film's budget, which exceeded Vishal Bhardwaj's financial capacity as a director. "Mujhe lagta hai jis budget mein yeh film bani hai, woh meri haisiyat se zyada hai. Mere paas utna paisa nahi tha," he admitted. The project was ultimately made possible through the conviction and resources of producer Sajid Nadiadwala.
Bhardwaj emphasised Nadiadwala's pivotal role, stating, "Yeh Sajid bhai ka conviction tha mujh par aur is project par. Unke bina yeh possible nahi tha. Budget badhta chala gaya, par woh maine nahi badhaya — Sajid bhai ne badhaya. Humne 1 rupaye mein 5 rupaye ki film banane ki koshish ki hai." This collaboration enabled the team to create a film of greater scale and ambition than initially envisioned.
Creative Bond with Shahid Kapoor Outweighs Past Disagreements
Addressing speculation about tensions during their previous collaboration Rangoon, Vishal Bhardwaj acknowledged occasional creative arguments with Shahid Kapoor but clarified that such reports were exaggerated. "We have had many fights," Bhardwaj said, "those fights are known to the media more, but there aren't that many fights between us." He likened their partnership to iconic musical duos Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Kalyanji-Anandji, highlighting a deep creative synergy.
Bhardwaj praised Kapoor's maturity in navigating his challenging temperament, noting, "Shahid understands my passive-aggression and that I'm a very difficult man to work with." He even humorously suggested that "Shahid should get a National Award for doing four films with me. We complement each other," underscoring the strength of their professional relationship.
Legal Challenge Over Real-Life Inspiration
The film O Romeo faced a legal notice from Hussain Ustara's daughter, who alleged an inaccurate depiction of her father and sought ₹2 crore in damages. Vishal Bhardwaj responded by clarifying that the film is based on Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, for which he secured the rights.
"This film is from the book, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, by Hussain Zaidi, and I've taken the rights of this story. I didn't think (of the permission)," he stated. Bhardwaj explained that while the germ of the idea and characters are the same, the team added numerous fictional elements. "The germ of the idea and the characters are the same, but we've added a lot of fictional elements, which permission Hussain Zaidi sahab has taken or should've taken. I don't think it was needed for me to take permission because it is based on a book," he added, addressing the legal concerns.
Shahid Kapoor's Gritty Anti-Hero Turn in O Romeo
In O Romeo, Shahid Kapoor portrays Romeo Ustara, a gangster shaped by love and violence, marking a significant departure from his earlier romantic roles. Kapoor admitted to feeling initially intimidated by the role, especially given Bhardwaj's history of working with top actors.
"He has worked with the best actors in the country. So when I got the opportunity to work with him, I actually asked him first, 'Sir, why are you taking me in this role? I have not done anything to deserve this,'" Kapoor revealed. This role represents a bold and gritty anti-hero turn for the actor, showcasing his versatility and commitment to challenging characters.
About O Romeo: Cast, Release Date, and Reunion
O Romeo reunites Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor after over eight years, promising a compelling cinematic experience. The film features an ensemble cast including:
- Triptii Dimri
- Nana Patekar
- Avinash Tiwary
- Disha Patani
- Aruna Irani
- Vikrant Massey
- Farida Jalal
- Tamannaah Bhatia
Scheduled for release on 13 February 2026, O Romeo is poised to be a major highlight in Bollywood, blending intense drama, complex characters, and the creative prowess of its director and lead actor.
