O Romeo (2026) Movie Review and Film Summary

 

O'Romeo (2026): Gritty Romantic Action Thriller – Review and Summary

O'Romeo (2026), directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, is a bold Hindi-language romantic action thriller released in theaters on February 13, 2026, timed for Valentine's Day weekend. This epic crime drama blends forbidden love, brutal revenge, and underworld chaos, loosely inspired by real events from Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. Starring Shahid Kapoor in a fierce lead role, alongside Triptii Dimri, it delivers intense performances and stylish visuals but divides critics with its tonal mix of poetry and violence. The film runs about 2 hours 58 minutes to 3 hours, making it a substantial watch.

Plot Summary

Set in post-independence Mumbai's rising underworld, the story follows a stone-hearted, womanizing contract killer named Ustara (Shahid Kapoor), a ruthless gangster with a dark past. Exiled after a violent act, he becomes entangled in a dangerous web when he crosses paths with Afsha (Triptii Dimri), a determined woman seeking revenge for her husband's murder at the hands of a powerful rival, Jalal (Avinash Tiwary).

Afsha ropes Ustara into her plan for vengeance, sparking an unexpected, forbidden romance that upends his cold world. What begins as a transactional alliance turns into genuine passion, but it ignites a massive gang war that threatens the entire crime syndicate. Ustara's transformation—from heartless killer to a man vulnerable to love—leads to betrayals, bloody confrontations, and high-stakes clashes involving cops, politicians, and rival gangs.

The narrative weaves gritty action sequences, emotional depth, and Shakespearean undertones of doomed love (echoing Bhardwaj's past adaptations), culminating in a tragic, chaotic showdown that explores fate, redemption, and the destructive power of passion.

Themes and Style

O'Romeo explores how true love can crack even the toughest exterior, set against Mumbai's criminal underbelly. It mixes romance with raw revenge, class contrasts, and moral ambiguity in the gangster world. Bhardwaj's signature style shines through poetic dialogue, atmospheric cinematography, and visceral violence—though some felt it leaned too hard into lurid, mass-appeal elements like graphic fights and gore.

The film balances slow-burn character moments in the first half with explosive action later, but pacing and tonal shifts drew criticism from some reviewers who found it uneven or overly long.

Standout Performances

Shahid Kapoor delivers a career-highlight turn as Ustara—unhinged, brutal, charismatic, and surprisingly funny in dark moments. His physicality and emotional range make the character's arc compelling. Triptii Dimri holds strong as the vengeful Afsha, bringing intensity and vulnerability. Avinash Tiwary stands out as the menacing antagonist, while Nana Patekar adds gravitas in a supporting role. The ensemble (including Tamannaah Bhatia, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, and Vikrant Massey in cameos) provides solid texture.

Critical Reception and Impact

Reviews were mixed, with praise for the cast, visuals, music, and Bhardwaj's flair, but notes on dragged pacing, uneven tone, and a lack of emotional payoff. On IMDb, it holds a 6.4/10 from users, with many loving the action, romance, and Shahid's performance. Rotten Tomatoes shows limited critic scores but strong audience enthusiasm in early feedback.

Some called it Bhardwaj's most "massy" film yet—visceral and stylish—but others felt it strained to appeal broadly, losing some depth. It performed decently at the box office (around ₹65 crore worldwide estimates early on), with steady growth and positive word-of-mouth for its Valentine's release.

Where to Watch Now

As of late February 2026, O'Romeo is still in its theatrical run but expected to hit streaming in the coming months. Digital rights are likely with a major platform like Netflix or Prime Video (common for big Hindi releases), probably arriving late March to April 2026. Netflix subscriptions start at about $6.99/month (with ads) up to $22.99/month for premium. Check for updates—subtitles and possibly dubbed versions should be available.

Theatrical Options in Popular US Cities

For the full big-screen impact (especially the intense action and romance), check major chains that often show international Hindi films with English subtitles. Look at AMC Theatres in New York (e.g., AMC Lincoln Square), Los Angeles (e.g., AMC Burbank), Chicago, or Dallas; Regal Cinemas in Los Angeles (Regal LA Live), New York (Regal Union Square), Atlanta, or Miami; and Cinemark in Houston, Dallas, San Francisco area, or Seattle. Search "O'Romeo" on Fandango, Atom Tickets, or theater apps for current showtimes—Valentine's-timed releases like this sometimes linger in diverse markets.

It's a solid pick if you enjoy dark romantic thrillers like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Animal, or Bhardwaj's own Shakespeare adaptations—full of passion, violence, and underworld drama.