The curtains have finally gone up on one of the most anticipated films of 2026. The trailer for O’Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, was officially unveiled on Wednesday, January 21, at a star-studded event in Mumbai. The three-minute-long trailer plunges viewers into a violent, blood-soaked underworld of Mumbai, promising a “dark romance” that is both poetic and brutal.
During the trailer launch, director Vishal Bhardwaj revealed that the project had been in development for nearly ten years. Bhardwaj spoke about his “possessiveness” over the script, admitting he refused to hand it over to other directors despite creative blocks and budget constraints. “I never thought we could make it on this scale,” Bhardwaj told reporters, thanking producer Sajid Nadiadwala for backing his vision without compromise.
In O’Romeo, Shahid Kapoor plays Haseen Ustara, a fierce, tattoo-clad gangster and contract killer. The story, reportedly inspired by real-life figures from the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, follows Ustara as he crosses paths with Afsha (played by Triptii Dimri).
The trailer suggests a complex dynamic where Afsha seeks Ustara’s help for a revenge hit, leading to an obsessive and tragic love story.
The film also features a powerhouse ensemble cast Nana Patekar as a stern, uncompromising police officer. Avinash Tiwary in a menacing, villainous role. Farida Jalal in a surprising, “foul-mouthed” grandmother avatar that has already gone viral. It also has Special Appearances of actors like Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia.
While Shahid Kapoor’s rugged look and the film’s “Mumbai Western” aesthetic have earned praise, the trailer has sparked a divide online. Many fans are celebrating the return of the “unhinged” Shahid, but some netizens have criticized the trailer for its extreme gore and “cringe-worthy” dialogues.
Comparisons to Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal (2023) have dominated X with some viewers questioning if Bollywood is becoming overly reliant on “alpha-male” violence. Others, however, argue that Bhardwaj’s signature poetic touch and Arijit Singh’s haunting vocals music by Bhardwaj himself with lyrics by Gulzar set O’Romeo apart from typical action movies.
O’Romeo is scheduled to hit theaters on February 13, 2026, perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day. The film is set to face a box office clash with Bejoy Nambiar’s survival thriller Tu Yaa Main, starring Shanaya Kapoor. To know such latest updates tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
