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

Vishal Bhardwaj’s O'Romeo (February 13, 2026) stars Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. This reimagined Sapna Didi biopic is a gritty Shakespearean crime saga set in the 1980s Mumbai underworld.

Shahid Kapoor in a still from O'Romeo; Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone

Vishal Bhardwaj's O'Romeo officially slated for a February 13, 2026, theatrical release, transports viewers to the shady underbelly of Mumbai. Reports from inside the industry and the film's production notes corroborate that it is the creative revival of the Sapna Didi biopic, which had been announced in 2017 with Deepika Padukone and the late Irrfan Khan.

How did O'Romeo evolve from Sapna Didi biopic?

On the road to O'Romeo have been numerous personal tragedies and major creative transformations. The film was originally planned to be an adaptation of a chapter from the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S. Hussain Zaidi. Its title changed from Sapna Didi to Femme Fatale later on. In the initial pitch, mobster Hussain Ustara—played by Khan—and eponymous character Sapna Didi (Padukone) were cast in the leads.

Khan was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018, which led to an indefinite halt in production. Bhardwaj had previously voiced his reluctance to continue production after the actor's death in 2020, explaining that the unique dynamic between the leads was foundational to his original concept. Late in 2024, though, rumours started circulating that the filmmaker had rewritten the script to centre on hitman Hussain Ustara and make it more male-centric.

ALSO READ: O' Romeo: Shahid Kapoor's first look embraces blood and brutality; Vishal Bhardwaj's film to release in February 2026

Who leads the new cast in O'Romeo?

The plot of O'Romeo is based on Sapna Didi's real-life desire for vengeance against Dawood Ibrahim; however, it has a different ensemble cast. Haseen Ustara, played by Shahid Kapoor, is based on the real-life gangster Hussain Ustara and is named "Romeo" in the title. After Kaminey Haider, and Rangoon, this is Kapoor and Bhardwaj's fourth joint collaboration. Rahima Khan, also known as Sapna Didi, was the inspiration for Triptii Dimri's character, Afsha (the "Juliet" equivalent).

Among the many notable actors featured in the film are Farida Jalal, Disha Patani, Avinash Tiwary, Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Nana Patekar.

What is the genre of O'Romeo?

The upcoming release breaks away from the conventional "biopic" style. Using terms like "gritty action musical" and "Shakespearean crime saga" in their marketing, the makers are trying to promote the film. The title change to O'Romeo echoes Bhardwaj's defining characteristic of incorporating classical literary elements into regional Indian crime stories.

Unveiled on January 10, 2026, the teaser depicts a stylised, gloomy Mumbai from the 1980s and 1990s. This teaser features Kapoor as a tattooed anti-hero, embodying a violent, "feral" persona. Although the film's historical animosity with Dawood Ibrahim (the "untouchable shadow" in cinematic lore) is still the central plot point, the teaser shows that the relationship between the two protagonists is quite unstable.

When did O'Romeo shoot wrap?

The film's principal photography wrapped up in late 2025 after a rigorous schedule in Mumbai, Rajasthan, and also Italy.

The release of the film on February 13, 2026, is timed to coincide with Valentine's Day weekend, drawing a contrast between the usual romantic occasion and Bhardwaj's "blood-and-passion" style. This release also marks Bhardwaj's first major theatrical directorial effort in eight years, following his recent work on streaming platforms.

O'Romeo FAQs:

Q: Is O’Romeo based on a true story?

A: Yes. While marketed as a "Shakespearean crime saga," O'Romeo is inspired by real-life events from the Mumbai underworld of the 1980s and 90s. Specifically, it draws from the life of hitman Hussain Ustara (played by Shahid Kapoor) and his complex alliance with Sapna Didi (played by Triptii Dimri) in their shared rivalry against Dawood Ibrahim.

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). In the original 2017 announcement, this role was set to be played by Deepika Padukone.

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

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

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