Film ‘O Romeo’ Trailer Review: Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Fierce Comeback: A Unique Blend of Love and Bloody Games

By Shantiswaroop Tripathi

• Rating: Three Stars

Whenever the name Romeo comes up, an immortal yet tragic love story immediately flashes before our eyes. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet—a tale steeped in tragedy—naturally comes to mind. Released on January 21, the trailer of director Vishal Bhardwaj’s film ‘O Romeo’ promises to present this classic idea of love in a new-age, contemporary avatar. Yes—after delivering cult films like Kaminey, Haider, and Rangoon, the powerful duo of Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor make a thunderous return with O Romeo. The trailer feels like a dangerous cocktail of violent action and intense romance. The film is based on a story from Hussain Zaidi’s 2011 book Mafia Queens of Mumbai.

A Glimpse of the Story

From the trailer of O Romeo, it is evident that the film is set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s underworld, where Shahid Kapoor plays a ruthless gangster named Ustra. His character appears torn between romance and a burning desire for revenge.

The trailer opens with an energetic background score and striking visuals that instantly grab attention. The narrative seems to revolve around modern relationships, their complexities, and an unbreakable yet destructive love. It makes it clear that this is not a routine “boy meets girl” story, but one layered with intense emotional turbulence.

Right at the beginning, a powerful dialogue hits hard—“From a womanizer to Romeo.” The trailer suggests that at the heart of the story lies Ustra’s complex relationship with Triptii Dimri (Afsha), who enters his life with vengeance on her mind. As the story progresses, her character questions Ustra, hinting that she wants to put out a contract killing—making it clear that revenge plays a major role.

Shahid Kapoor has previously portrayed dark and violent lovers, notably in Kabir Singh. After that, Ranbir Kapoor explored a toxic, intense character in Animal. But in O Romeo, Shahid’s portrayal of Ustra appears even darker and more menacing than both. He looks far more dangerous and mature. A particularly chilling moment—when he lights his cigarette by setting a teddy bear car on fire—sends shivers down the spine. The loud cheers from Shahid’s fans during the trailer screening made it clear that today’s younger audience embraces such raw, intense heroes—and they are loving Shahid’s new avatar. His heroism stands out strongly.

The trailer also showcases elements of obsession and possessiveness, with Shahid and Triptii Dimri sharing an intense on-screen chemistry.

One of the trailer’s biggest highlights is Avinash Tiwary, who appears almost unrecognizable as the antagonist, dressed like a matador. Vishal Bhardwaj describes this character as something between Langda Tyagi and Mogambo. Veteran actor Nana Patekar is outstanding as always. Notably, this may be the first film where Farida Jalal, playing Ustra’s grandmother, is seen hurling abuses—her powerful character adds significant depth to the drama.

True to Vishal Bhardwaj’s style, the trailer is filled with dark, gritty visuals. The background score and dialogues like “Love is a curse” keep viewers hooked. The cinematography’s color palette perfectly reflects the film’s intense mood.

Under Vishal Bhardwaj’s direction, O Romeo promises to be a stylish, blood-soaked love story. The trailer successfully builds strong anticipation for the film—after all, that is the primary purpose of any trailer. Set to release on February 13, 2026, O Romeo could be a special treat for audiences who enjoyed thrillers like Animal.

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