- Shahid Kapoor delivers a fierce, physically demanding, emotionally charged central performance.
- Triptii Dimri brings vulnerability and fire to a grief-driven love story.
- Dreamlike visuals and bold action sequences elevate an uneven narrative core.
- Stylish music and choreography keep the film gripping despite pacing issues.
Gunshots echo through neon-lit streets. Passion collides with vengeance. Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’ Romeo (2026) arrives as a visually rich, action-heavy crime drama that leans hard into mood, movement, and morally messy romance. Inspired by real incidents from Hussain Zaidi’s Mafia Queens of Mumbai, the film places a feared contract killer and a grieving widow at the center of a volatile love story that unfolds across Mumbai and overseas locations.
At its heart is Ustara, played with ferocious intensity by Shahid Kapoor, a professional hitman whose hardened exterior masks deep emotional fractures. Opposite him, Triptii Dimri shines as Afsha, a widow driven by revenge after her husband’s murder. Their uneasy alliance slowly morphs into a dangerous romance, where desire and distrust coexist in every frame.
Bhardwaj’s poetic sensibility is unmistakable. Reds and greys dominate the palette, giving the film a bruised, dreamlike texture. Standout sequences include a striking bullfight set piece in Spain and a lavish masquerade scene that feels equal parts operatic and ominous. The action choreography is slick, especially Shahid’s dance-fight moments that blur the line between performance and violence.
Supporting turns add heft. Avinash Tiwary is chilling as the antagonist Jalal, while veterans Nana Patekar and Farida Jalal bring gravitas in pivotal roles. The soundtrack also lands strong, with haunting melodies like Hum To Tere Hi Liye and energetic tracks such as Paan Ki Dukaan amplifying the film’s emotional highs.
Still, O’ Romeo struggles with consistency. The first half moves slowly, while the latter stretches itself thin with indulgent storytelling. Some plot turns feel convenient, and the climax lacks the emotional punch it promises. The genre blend of romance, crime, and action does not always click, leaving the film uneven. Characters played by Disha Patani and Tamannaah Bhatia feel underwritten, despite their screen presence.
O’ Romeo thrives on style, performances, and ambition. While its narrative depth falters, Shahid Kapoor’s career-best turn and Bhardwaj’s visual flair make it a compelling watch for fans of intense crime dramas.
Rating: 3.5/5
