Court Rules in Favor of Shahid Kapoor’s ‘O Romeo’ Ahead of Release

Vishal Bhardwaj’s highly anticipated film ‘O Romeo’, featuring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, has achieved a significant legal victory just before its release. A Mumbai civil court has ruled against a request to stall the film’s release made by the daughter of late gangster Hussain Ustara.

Background of the Legal Challenge

Sanober Shaikh, the daughter of Hussain Shaikh (known as Hussain Ustara), claimed that the film was based on her father’s life without her or her family’s consent. She filed a civil lawsuit against notable figures including producer Sajid Nadiadwala, director Vishal Bhardwaj, and author Hussain Zaidi.

Court’s Ruling on the Injunction Request

In its ruling, the court stated that Sanober failed to establish grounds for an injunction. Civil court judge H C Shende emphasized that Sanober had previously sought monetary compensation from the filmmakers, making her request for an immediate stay "impermissible in the eye of the law."

Allegations of Misrepresentation

Sanober alleged that the film portrays her late father as a gangster. However, the defense argued that ‘O Romeo’ is a “pure work of fiction” and includes clear disclaimers to that effect.

Financial Motivations Behind the Lawsuit

The defense team, comprising advocates Ashwin Bhalekar and Rishi Bhuta, contended that Sanober’s repeated demands for monetary compensation—ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore—indicated that her concerns were primarily financial.

Delay in Legal Action Noted by the Court

The court also highlighted the delay in filing the lawsuit. Judge Shende noted that Sanober had prior knowledge of the film’s development but only approached the court as the release date drew near. Additionally, the court dismissed her request for a pre-release screening, stating that this would constitute judicial censorship, which is not permitted under current law.

Future Actions and Release Information

Sanober Shaikh’s attorney has indicated plans to appeal the verdict in the Bombay High Court.

About ‘O Romeo’

‘O Romeo’ is characterized as a gritty gangster drama, with teasers hinting at a plot infused with action and romance. Shahid Kapoor is set to portray a gunman in the film. This project marks Vishal Bhardwaj’s third collaboration with Kapoor, following acclaimed films ‘Kaminey’ and ‘Haider’.

The film boasts a robust ensemble cast that includes Avinash Tiwary, Farida Jalal, Vikrant Massey, Nana Patekar, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Disha Patani. ‘O Romeo’ is scheduled for a theatrical release on February 13.