The legal path has been cleared for the release of Shahid Kapoor's upcoming thriller, "O' Romeo," after the Bombay High Court dismissed a last-minute lawsuit seeking to block its release. The film is slated to premiere in theaters on February 13.
The legal challenge was brought by the daughter of the late Hussain Shaikh, a gangster also known as Hussain Ustara. She claimed that the film is based on her father's life and that the filmmakers did not obtain prior consent from her. She alleged the movie infringed on her father's privacy and tarnished his name. Sanober Shaikh, the daughter, reportedly sent legal notices to the filmmakers in October and December of 2025. She also claimed that Shahid Kapoor's appearance in the film bears a resemblance to her father.
The court, however, sided with the film's artistic freedom. The judge noted the film is a work of fiction and includes a disclaimer stating that all characters are imaginary and any resemblance to real people is coincidental. The court also pointed out that the plaintiff had demanded monetary compensation from the filmmakers, which made granting an immediate injunction impermissible. According to reports, Sanober Shaikh had sought ₹2 crore in compensation from the filmmakers.
Moreover, the court emphasized that privacy rights are personal and expire upon death, preventing heirs from using them to impede fictional narratives. The court also took note of the timing of the lawsuit, which was filed shortly before the film's release, despite the film having been publicly announced in late 2024. The court stated that stopping the release at this late stage would have a devastating and irreversible impact on the production team and investors. The judge also stated that a pre-screening of the film would amount to judicial censorship, which isn't allowed by law.
"O' Romeo" is directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. This film marks Shahid Kapoor's third collaboration with Vishal Bhardwaj, following "Haider" and "Kaminey". The cast includes Avinash Tiwary, Farida Jalal, Vikrant Massey, Nana Patekar, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Disha Patani. The film is anticipated to be a dark action drama with romantic elements.