When Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor collaborate, expectations automatically shoot up. After Kaminey and Haider, the duo reunites for O Romeo, a nearly three-hour-long gangster romance set in 1995 Bombay. With Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, and Vikrant Massey rounding out the cast, the film promises blood, betrayal, and a love story that bleeds as much as it beats. Clocking in at 2 hours 58 minutes, O Romeo is ambitious, layered, and unapologetically dramatic. And surprisingly, it works.
O Romeo Story
Set in mid-90s Bombay, when gang wars were headline material and the police-gangster nexus thrived in shadows, O Romeo follows Ustara, a feared gangster who resides in a wrecked ship by the coast. Shahid Kapoor plays him with quiet menace. Ustara works closely with Inspector Khan, eliminating so-called “scum of society.” But the real question is why. What binds a gangster and a cop together in such a dangerous pact?
Into this chaos enters Afsha. Triptii Dimri’s character does not arrive for romance. She comes with a purpose. She wants a man dead and is willing to pay the ultimate price for it. Her intentions are murky yet emotionally charged. Why would someone who appears fragile seek revenge in the darkest way possible? That mystery forms the emotional backbone of the narrative.
Then there is Jalal, portrayed by Avinash Tiwary, operating from Spain but controlling the pulse of Bombay’s underworld. His rivalry with Ustara adds layers of politics, ego, and survival. The story unfolds gradually, with betrayals, shifting loyalties, and unexpected emotional turns.
This is not a redemption arc where love reforms a criminal. Vishal Bhardwaj keeps it real. Love does not erase blood. It complicates it.
O Romeo Movie Review
Vishal Bhardwaj adapts Hussain Zaidi’s world into a screenplay that feels textured and immersive. Co-written with Rohan Narula, the script is dense but not confusing. Every frame feels deliberate. From a glass gun doubling as a liquor holder to a bathtub placed dramatically on a rooftop, the detailing is rich and visually inventive.
O Romeo does not rely on clichés. Characters are layered. Nobody is completely pure. Nobody is entirely evil. Even the villains are human. This moral ambiguity gives the film its emotional power.
The dialogues of O Romeo deserve applause. The trailer hinted at sharp one-liners, but the full film offers far more. Conversations feel authentic to the time period. They sting. They linger.
Technically, O Romeo is mounted on a grand scale. The cinematography captures the 90s Bombay aesthetic beautifully. Grainy textures, dimly lit docks, and wide coastal shots create mood effortlessly. The production design respects the era without overdoing nostalgia.
The editing remains crisp despite the lengthy runtime. There is no unnecessary indulgence. If you feel the film’s duration, it is because you anticipate another twist before the credits roll.
Music is a standout strength. Being a Vishal Bhardwaj film, expectations are naturally high. Songs are placed smartly. Shahid slicing through enemies with a razor to “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga” is bold and unforgettable. Background tracks like “Ae Mere Humsafar” and “Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin” are used cleverly to elevate emotion rather than distract from it. The background score amplifies tension without overpowering scenes.
The climax is impactful. When the lovers finally stand side by side and open fire, it is both romantic and tragic. It leaves a mark.
O Romeo Performances
Shahid Kapoor delivers one of his strongest performances in recent years. Vishal Bhardwaj extracts his most complex layers. He is intense yet restrained. Romantic yet dangerous. Shahid makes Ustara vulnerable without reducing his menace.
Triptii Dimri is a revelation. She holds her ground in a male-dominated narrative and brings emotional strength to Afsha. Vishal frames her with the same importance usually given to the hero, and she rises to the occasion beautifully.
Nana Patekar as Inspector Khan is magnetic. His presence adds weight. His dynamic with Shahid Kapoor is electric and unpredictable.
Avinash Tiwary leaves a lasting impression. His portrayal of Jalal is calculated and powerful. He commands respect without screaming for attention.
Tamannaah Bhatia makes her limited screen time count. Farida Jalal and Aruna Irani add emotional resonance. Vikrant Massey appears briefly but contributes meaningfully to the plot’s progression. Disha Patani is memorable in her portions. Rahul Deshpande and Hussain Dalal provide solid support.
Every actor understands the tonality of Vishal Bhardwaj’s world.
Final Verdict
O Romeo is a bold, bloody, and deeply emotional gangster romance. It balances drama and danger with surprising tenderness. While its length may test patience for some, the storytelling, performances, and music justify the scale. If you enjoy intense love stories wrapped in crime and moral ambiguity, this film deserves your time.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
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