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

Shahid Kapoor is gearing up for his role in Vishal Bhardwaj's forthcoming action musical, O’ Romeo. This project marks the actor’s fourth collaboration with the acclaimed filmmaker. On January 9, the makers unveiled the blood-drenched first look featuring Shahid for O' Romeo along with the film's release date.

Shahid Kapoor's first look from O' Romeo

The gritty first look for O’ Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, featuring Shahid Kapoor in an intense, almost feral avatar, has already gone viral on social media. 

Shahid stands in the middle, against a deep blood-red background, his face and body smeared with blood, veins visible, eyes wide and mouth open, a frenzied, terrifying smile. His expression seems incoherent, somewhere between anger, madness, and dark triumph. He is wearing a black dress and an open jacket, revealing tattoos and bloody handprints on his body, further enhancing the violent power of his body.

Sharing the first look, the makers captioned their Instagram post, "Romeo O Romeo where art thou O’ROMEO! Catch a peek into the world of #ORomeo. Out Tomorrow! #SajidNadiadwala presents A @vishalrbhardwaj film Releasing in cinemas 13th Feb 2026."

About O' Romeo

O' Romeo is an upcoming action musical film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, starring Shahid Kapoor in the lead role. He is reportedly playing a flamboyant gangster. The ensemble cast includes Triptii Dimri, Randeep Hooda, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, and a special appearance by Disha Patani.

For the unversed, B=before O' Romeo, Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj's collaborations included films like Kaminey (2009), Haider (2014), and Rangoon (2017).

Also Read: Shahid Kapoor's film with Vishal Bhardwaj titled O' Romeo; First look and new release date out

Will Shahid Kapoor sport a full-body tattoo in O' Romeo?

In the poster, Shahid can be seen sporting a full-body tattoo in O' Romeo. Pinkvilla reported thatThis radical transformation is believed to be central to his character's identity and psychological depth, a first-of-its-kind appearance not only for the actor, but perhaps for Indian cinema as a whole. 

The source also revealed that the physical transformation involved intense preparation, with every aspect of the tattoo, its design, placement, and storytelling purpose, scrutinised by the creative team. Rather than a superficial change, the appearance is woven into the narrative, representing the character's anger, inner turmoil, and deep emotional wounds.

O' Romeo FAQs:

Q: Who stars in the O' Romeo movie?

A: O' Romeo stars Shahid Kapoor in the lead role, with Triptii Dimri as the female lead. The film also features actors like Nana Patekar, Randeep Hooda, Vikrant Massey, and Farida Jalal.

Q: When is Vishal Bhardwaj’s O' Romeo scheduled to release?

A: O' Romeo is slated for release on February 13, 2026.