Why Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia charge zero fee for Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo?
Vishal Bhardwaj’s ₹80 crore thriller O’Romeo hits screens Feb 13 after winning a legal battle. Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri star in this Spain-shot Western, backed by major OTT and satellite deals.
Last Updated: 04.53 PM, Feb 09, 2026
Just four days before its theatrical debut, the action-thriller O'Romeo has established itself as a major player in the 2026 film season. The film is set to premiere globally on February 13—capitalising on the lucrative Valentine's Day window. Vishal Bhardwaj directed the film, and Sajid Nadiadwala produced it.
What legal challenge did O'Romeo recently overcome?
A major hurdle was recently overcome for the project when Sanober Shaikh, daughter of the late Hussain Ustara, had her case rejected by the Bombay City Civil Court. Claiming that the story, which was based on Hussain Zaidi's Mafia Queens of Mumbai, distorted her father's reputation, the lawsuit aimed to delay the film's release. As a result of the court's decision not to issue an injunction, production on a "gritty, blood-soaked Western" set in Mumbai's seedy underworld can now begin.
Bhardwaj revealed that Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia joined the ensemble cast without demanding a professional fee, which is an uncommon display of industry camaraderie.
Why did Vikrant Massey choose to work for free in O'Romeo?
The filmmaker pointed out that Massey's involvement was based on a promise made ten years ago when he was a promising young actor. The success of 12th Fail catapulted Massey to popularity, but he reportedly refused to pay for his promise, claiming that Bhardwaj's Maqbool was the inspiration for his acting career. The actor's special appearance, despite its brevity, reportedly heavily influenced the hero's arc and required nine days of filming.
In the same vein, Bhatia chose not to receive payment to back the creative vision of the project. The story supposedly hinges on her 12-day filming schedule, and her role is crucial to a big twist.
What are the financial stakes for O’Romeo?
One of the most costly projects in Bhardwaj's career, O'Romeo was mounted on a budget of ₹75-80 crore. According to industry experts, the film has to earn more than ₹100 crore in India for it to be considered a "hit" at the box office.
Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri feature as the tattooed gunmen Haseen Ustara and Afsha, respectively. Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Farida Jalal, and Disha Patani are part of the prolific ensemble cast.
Where was O'Romeo primarily shot?
Ben Bernhard shot most of the film in Spain and used sets that were built in Mumbai.
At the trailer launch, Bhardwaj made the comment, "We have tried to make a five-rupee film with one rupee," praising Nadiadwala's tenacity for keeping the project going for ten years.
How have the makers of O'Romeo mitigated financial risks?
The makers have already reduced their financial risk significantly by securing pre-release deals. Prime Video has acquired the rights to broadcast the film online, and an OTT premiere is anticipated 45 to 60 days after the theatrical release. T-Series holds the satellite and audio rights, providing additional support for the film's recovery. This ensures that the film will hit theatres on a sturdy financial foundation.
Kapoor, who has worked with Bhardwaj on the gritty, tough Kaminey and Haider films, is the center of attention, as O'Romeo is ready to compete at the box office with Tu Yaa Main by Bejoy Nambiar.
O'Romeo FAQs:
Q: When is the O'Romeo movie release date?
A: O'Romeo is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on February 13, 2026. The date was strategically chosen to coincide with the Valentine’s Day weekend, a lucrative window for the film’s "gritty romantic thriller" genre.
Q: Who is in the cast of O'Romeo?
A: O'Romeo features an ensemble cast led by Shahid Kapoor as Haseen Ustara, Triptii Dimri as Afsha, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia (Special Appearance), Vikrant Massey (Special Appearance), Disha Patani, and Farida Jalal.
Q: On which OTT platform will O'Romeo be released?
A: The digital streaming rights for O’Romeo have been secured by Amazon Prime Video. The film is expected to premiere on the platform roughly 45 to 60 days after its theatrical run.