What was planned as a promotional launch for O’Romeo, the much-anticipated action-drama starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, took an unexpectedly dramatic turn on Wednesday at a Mumbai event.
The film’s trailer dropped online to strong reactions from fans and critics alike, showcasing Shahid Kapoor in a dark, gritty avatar as a morally ambiguous anti-hero embroiled in violence and obsessive relationships against the backdrop of Mumbai’s dark side.
Nana Patekar Leaves Launch Midway After Long Wait
Veteran actor Nana Patekar, who plays a pivotal role in O’Romeo, sparked widespread discussion after he walked out of the trailer launch event midway, visibly frustrated. Present at the venue on time, Patekar reportedly waited for over an hour inside the theatre before departing when the co-stars came late.
The incident quickly went viral on social media, with clips showing the actor gesturing at his watch and leaving the auditorium. Organizers struggled to keep the moment low-key, but the exit became the day’s main talking point.
Vishal Bhardwaj’s Reaction
Director Vishal Bhardwaj addressed the situation with a mix of humour and respect for his co-actor, describing Patekar as a lovable yet mischievous presence. Bhardwaj called him a “school bully” someone who can both ruffle feathers and entertain classmates and emphasized that their personal relationship remains unaffected by the incident.
Vishal clarified that Patekar’s departure was due to the scheduling delay, and that there were no hard feelings among the film’s team.
Rumours of Fallout With Shahid Kapoor Put to Rest
Prior to the trailer launch and the whole episode, the rumours spread about a fallout between Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor due to some creative disagreements.
At the event, Bhardwaj firmly dismissed these rumours, saying that while creative tension does occur but the bond he shares with Shahid is deep and enduring. He even compared their partnership to legendary Bollywood duos like Laxmikant-Pyarelal, emphasising mutual respect.
Legal Controversy and Creative Rights
Adding to the promotional weekend’s drama, the production team faced a legal issue when Sanober Shaikh, daughter of the late Mumbai gangster Hussain Ustara, issued a demand for compensation. She alleges that O’Romeo draws heavily on her father’s life without her family’s consent, and claims the filmmakers owe Rs 2 crore in recompense.
Bhardwaj responded to these allegations by stressing that the film is based on a literary work implying that rights were obtained through official channels and that no additional consent was required from the family to depict loosely inspired characters on screen.
What’s Next for O’Romeo
The film was produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and a strong supporting line-up alongside the leads, and is positioned as a dark romantic action drama rooted in the real mafia world.
The movie was scheduled to hit cinemas on February 13, 2026 strategically in Valentine’s Week, the movie represents one of Bollywood’s most talked-about releases this year.
