O Romeo Review: A bloody Shahid Kapoor reunion gives Vishal Bhardwaj his most controversial comeback yet

The Plot: Vishal Bhardwaj finds his quirk again

Based on Mafia Queens of Mumbai by Hussain Zaidi, Bhardwaj adapts the story of Afsha, played by Triptii Dimri, and her quest to eliminate Jalal, played by Avinash Tiwary.

In pursuit of revenge, she seeks out Ustara, portrayed by Shahid Kapoor, a contract killer of sorts, and asks him to kill Jalal along with three others. What seems like a straightforward revenge set up slowly morphs into something far more layered and unpredictable. Does Ustara agree? Why is Afsha so resolute? How are these lives interwoven in ways we do not initially anticipate? That mystery forms the backbone of what unfolds.

Bhardwaj perhaps understands one of the biggest elements missing in his recent films. The novelty. The playful eccentricity. And more importantly, the unspoken accessibility that allows audiences to enter his complex worlds without feeling alienated. Here, he takes a story loaded with moving parts and carves out a layered, thoroughly engaging romantic adventure thriller.

Even when certain stretches feel indulgent, the narrative keeps stitching together moments between Ustara and Afsha that gradually peel back new layers, revealing emotional motivations beneath the blood and bullets.

Veterans Who Command Every Frame

It is an absolute delight to witness veterans like Aruna Irani and Farida Jalal command the screen with effortless authority. Whenever they appear, the film briefly shifts into a masterclass of presence and dialogue delivery. The razor sharp lines given to them sparkle.

Like any Bhardwaj film, every character here is flawed in one way or another, and that moral greyness becomes the delicious heart of the drama. There is a certain sanctity and quiet purity in how Bhardwaj writes and frames his characters, even within a story soaked in crime and vengeance. It is not something easily explained, nor does it feel consciously manufactured. It simply exists, and it makes an instant impact.

Not Your Usual Hero vs Villain Game

What elevates O Romeo further is that it never reduces itself to a conventional hero versus villain template. In fact, when was the last time you saw a film where the main antagonist does not even appear until nearly half the runtime has passed?

Jalal’s delayed entry works beautifully. The film builds him up without overselling his legend. There is restraint in how his menace is constructed, and that patience pays off. The anticipation feels earned rather than forced, making his eventual presence even more satisfying.

The Novel Like Approach. A Blessing And A Burden

The first half does feel slightly stretched in places. Yet you understand why the extensive character building exists because the film often unfolds like a novel. Scenes breathe. Relationships simmer. Motivations slowly surface. However, this detailing occasionally crosses into indulgence. Several moments could have been trimmed without hurting the emotional arc. There is also a conscious decision to infuse music more frequently than necessary. While it is fun initially, the repetition becomes a tad excessive.

The second half loses some of the narrative tightness established earlier. Developments occur rapidly, and the novelistic flow that once felt immersive begins to feel distracted. By the time the climax arrives, it stretches a bit longer than anticipated. There are loopholes and questions that grow louder in the pre climax, including a certain leap into territory that makes you wonder if gangster drama was not already enough.

A Poetic Throwback And A Playful Irony

At times, there is something almost poetic and delightfully ironic about watching Triptii Dimri chase Avinash Tiwary with murderous intent, especially when you recall their haunting romance in Laila Majnu. In one scene, Tiwary’s Jalal blows a flying kiss in Afsha’s direction, and it feels like a sly nod to their earlier chemistry.

Only here, the Majnu figure morphs into Shahid Kapoor’s Romeo. It is fascinating and strangely amusing to witness this inversion of past dynamics play out within a darker, more chaotic universe.

Shahid Kapoor’s Buddy Energy And Full Blown Romeo Mode

When the film fully commits to Ustara’s Romeo energy, it finds its most entertaining rhythm. Kapoor appears to thrive when there is a buddy dynamic in play, something we have seen in projects like Farzi, Kabir Singh and Deva. That same crackling energy surfaces here in his interactions with Hussain Dalal. The camaraderie feels organic and adds levity to an otherwise heavy narrative.

Shahid embodies Ustara with style, swagger and emotional conviction. There are faint echoes of Kabir Singh’s intensity, but this time the passion is not toxic. It is flawed, obsessive and deeply human. Kapoor brings panache to the action sequences, and his final confrontation with Tiwary is both thrilling and dramatically satisfying.

The Performances of this large ensemble

Performance wise, the ensemble is in fine form. Nana Patekar stands out as inspired casting. His effortless nonchalance and the casual way he tosses off lines remind you why he remains such a formidable presence.

Triptii Dimri continues to prove her range. She is vulnerable, fiery, scintillating and emotionally raw, sometimes within the same scene.

Special appearances by Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia as Mehboob and Rabia respectively are impactful and far from wasted. Their brief screen time underscores the idea that presence matters more than duration. Unfortunately, that cannot be the same thing being said for Disha Patani, who despite being there for a couple of scenes remains inconsequential.

Hussain Dalal brings warmth and wit, while Avinash Tiwary injects a chilling menace into Jalal. This performance alone should remind filmmakers of his versatility and screen magnetism.

Another surprise here is actor Rahul Deshpande who plays Inspector Pathare. The ones who know him know that he's a bonafide classical singer in real life and that's infused so wonderfully and gleefully into the film but his performance as Inspector Pathare is also sensational.