As the countdown to the February 13 release of O Romeo begins, director Vishal Bhardwaj has opened up about the “unconditional support” he received from his ensemble cast. In a recent press interaction, Bhardwaj disclosed that both Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia refused to charge a single penny for their roles in the film—a decision driven by long-standing promises and a deep-seated respect for the craft.
A Tribute to ‘Maqbool’: Vikrant Massey’s Full-Circle Moment
For Vikrant Massey, who is currently riding high on the massive success of 12th Fail, the decision was deeply personal. Bhardwaj shared that Massey had actually committed to O Romeo years ago, back when he was still an emerging talent finding his footing in Bollywood.
Despite his transition into a major leading man, Massey refused to renegotiate or charge a fee when the project finally went on floors. The Inspiration: Massey reportedly told Bhardwaj that watching the 2003 classic Maqbool was the reason he decided to become an actor.
The Role: Though it is a special appearance, Massey shot for 8 to 9 days, treating the performance as a tribute to the filmmaker who shaped his career aspirations.
Tamannaah Bhatia: Stepping Up Amidst Budget Constraints
Tamannaah Bhatia’s involvement was equally selfless. Bhardwaj revealed that the film faced certain budget tight-spots during production. When approached for a pivotal role that triggers a major plot twist, Tamannaah agreed instantly without any financial demands.
In a time where star fees dominate every industry conversation, having actors like Vikrant and Tamannaah stand by a vision purely for the love of cinema is a rare and beautiful thing,” Bhardwaj remarked.
Dedication Beyond the Script: While her role was initially planned to be brief, her commitment saw her on set for nearly 12 days. Deep Immersion: Bhardwaj noted that she didn’t just “show up”; she participated in extensive workshops and rehearsals to perfect her layered character, leaving a lasting impression on the entire production team.
About ‘O Romeo’
The film marks the fourth collaboration between Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj, following their successful run with Kaminey, Haider, and Rangoon.
The film has already survived a legal challenge from the family of Hussain Ustara (on whose life the story is partially inspired) and is set to be one of the biggest theatrical releases of the Valentine’s Day weekend. To know such latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you!
