Can Shahid Kapoor bring fresh take on morally grey roles in O'Romeo? Actor says, ‘Internal complexity excites me’

Shahid Kapoor, who will play a gangster in O'Romeo, shared his journey from the romantic hero to embracing morally grey, layered characters, revealing why internal complexity now drives his choices.

Shahid Kapoor in O'Romeo

Once Bollywood's lover boy, Shahid Kapoor has now evolved into a versatile actor who is drawn to characters with depth, conflict and moral ambiguity. From his debut in Ishq Vishk to intense performances in Udta Punjab and Kabir Singh, Shahid consciously went beyond straightforward romantic roles and explored layered personalities. In a new interview, Shahid Kapoor, who will play a gangster role in O'Romeo, opened up about his admiration for internally complex characters.

Can Shahid Kapoor redefine the gangster role in O'Romeo?

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Shahid Kapoor said that internal complexity excites him. He said that when he started with Ishq Vishk, his approach to acting was much simpler. He was the quintessential romantic guy, and the roles were fairly straightforward. But with every film and every phase of life, Shahid's relationship with the craft has evolved.

“Over time, I found myself gravitating toward characters with more depth—people with layers, contradictions, and grey zones. I enjoy diving into what drives them, what challenges them, and even what they’re trying to conceal. That internal complexity excites me far more today. Somewhere along the way, authenticity became more important to me than delivering a perfectly polished performance," he said.

Shahid explained that he’s now drawn to roles that feel authentic, where vulnerability and subtle human nuances bring the character to life. This shift in focus has completely changed the way he approaches his craft.

Is O'Romeo in legal trouble?

Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming film O'Romeo is facing legal trouble with gangster Hussain Ustara's daughter, Sanober Shaikh, filing a lawsuit demanding Rs. 2 crore and a release halt, alleging unauthorised portrayal of her father as a gangster. Although the producers claim it is fictional, the family finds it disturbing and damaging to their reputation.

O'Romeo is inspired by a chapter from S. Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, focusing on Sapna Didi's revenge plot against Dawood Ibrahim, with Ustara as an ally. The film centres on a gangster (Kapoor) who discovers an unexpected love, which leads to conflict, revenge, and a journey through Mumbai's painful past. The film features an ensemble cast including Triptii Dimir (Sapna Didi), Farida Jalal, Nana Patekar, Vikrant Massey, and Disha Patani and will hit cinemas on February 13, 2026.

Also Read: Is Vishal Bhardwaj-Shahid Kapoor's O'Romeo the revival of the shelved Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone's Sapna Didi biopic?

O'Romeo FAQs

Q: Is O'Romeo the revival of the shelved Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone's Sapna Didi biopic?

A: The film began in 2017 with Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone in the leads, but production halted after Khan was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018. Following his passing in 2020, Vishal Bhardwaj rewrote the script, ultimately centring it on Shahid Kapoor’s character, as per reports.

Q: Who is playing Sapna Didi in O’Romeo?

A: Triptii Dimri portrays the character Afsha, who is directly inspired by Rahima Khan (popularly known as Sapna Didi).

Q: When is the release date for O’Romeo?

A: O'Romeo is scheduled to release in theatres on February 13, 2026, strategically timed for the Valentine’s Day weekend.

Share