Vishal Bhardwaj has long been admired for his Shakespearean adaptations in Indian cinema. From Maqbool to Haider, his films have reimagined timeless tragedies in gritty, contemporary settings. With O’Romeo, released just ahead of Valentine’s Day 2026, Bhardwaj turns his gaze to Romeo and Juliet — but this time through the lens of Mumbai’s underworld.

Starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, the film is a gangster‑romance drama inspired by Hussain Zaidi’s Mafia Queens of Mumbai. It’s a story of love caught in the crossfire of crime, loyalty, and betrayal — a poetic bloodbath that asks whether romance can survive in a world built on violence.

A Story of Crime and Passion

Set in post‑independence Mumbai, the film follows Mehmood Khan, an associate of Dawood Ibrahim, who dreams of leaving the underworld behind to live peacefully with his wife Ashraf. But the world he inhabits doesn’t allow easy exits. Love, loyalty, and ambition collide, and the result is a narrative that feels both Shakespearean and distinctly Mumbai.

Shahid Kapoor plays the central figure with intensity, while Triptii Dimri brings vulnerability and strength to her role. Together, they embody the doomed romance at the heart of the story — two people trying to carve out a space for love in a world that refuses to let them.

Box Office Collections – Strong Start

Despite its dark tone, O’Romeo has performed impressively at the box office.

• Day 1 (Friday): ₹10.20 crore gross, ₹8.50 crore net
• Day 2 (Saturday): ₹15.18 crore gross, ₹12.65 crore net
• Day 3 (Sunday): ₹36.09 crore gross, ₹30.15 crore net (cumulative) across 14,355 shows

Worldwide, the film crossed the ₹50 crore mark in its opening weekend, making it the third highest‑grossing Bollywood film of 2026 so far.

This performance is significant because the film was released during Valentine’s week — a period usually dominated by lighter romances. Its success shows that audiences are open to darker, unconventional love stories.

Why It Resonates

Released around Valentine’s Day, O’Romeo is not a conventional love story. Instead, it’s a reminder that romance often exists in tension with reality. The film’s dark tone and violent backdrop make it a counterpoint to the candy‑floss romances that usually dominate the season.

For audiences, this contrast is refreshing. It’s a love story that acknowledges the messiness of life, the compromises of ambition, and the inevitability of tragedy.

Performances That Elevate the Film

• Shahid Kapoor delivers a nuanced performance, balancing charm with menace. His portrayal of a man torn between love and loyalty is compelling.
• Triptii Dimri holds her own, bringing emotional depth to her character. She is not just a romantic foil but a fully realized presence in the narrative.
• Avinash Tiwary and Nana Patekar add layers of complexity, embodying the world of crime with authenticity.

The chemistry between Kapoor and Dimri is central to the film’s impact. Their relationship feels lived‑in, making the tragedy all the more poignant.

Strengths That Shine

• Cinematic Vision: Vishal Bhardwaj’s direction, paired with Ben Bernhard’s cinematography, creates a world that is both poetic and brutal.
• Music: Bhardwaj’s own score adds to the atmosphere, blending romance with menace.
• Narrative Depth: By rooting the story in real‑life crime history, the film gains authenticity and weight.

Where It Falters

• Dragged Screenplay: At nearly three hours, the film occasionally feels stretched. Some sequences linger longer than necessary, diluting the tension.
• Heavy Tone: The relentless darkness may not appeal to all viewers, especially those expecting a lighter Valentine’s watch.
• Predictability: As with most Shakespearean adaptations, the trajectory of tragedy is clear from the start, which limits surprise.

Audience Takeaway

For audiences, O’Romeo is a bold, unconventional Valentine’s release. It’s not about escapism; it’s about confronting the realities of love in a violent world. Fans of Bhardwaj’s earlier Shakespearean adaptations will find much to admire, while casual viewers may be drawn in by Shahid Kapoor’s star power and Triptii Dimri’s rising presence.

It’s a film that lingers — not because of its romance alone, but because of the way it intertwines love with crime, poetry with blood.

Final Verdict

O’Romeo is a dark, ambitious reimagining of Romeo and Juliet. It thrives on performances, atmosphere, and Bhardwaj’s vision, even if it stumbles with pacing. For Shahid Kapoor, it’s another reminder of his ability to carry complex roles, and for Triptii Dimri, it’s a showcase of her growing range.

Rating: 3.5/5 – A poetic bloodbath that redefines Valentine’s romance, backed by strong box office numbers.