O Romeo: Did You Know Shahid Kapoor Was Not The First Choice For Vishal Bhardwaj's Film?

Vishal Bhardwaj’s new gangster drama O' Romeo is heading to cinemas on February 13, with Shahid Kapoor in the lead. Reports now reveal that Kartik Aaryan was first offered the Hussain Ustara-based role in 2024, but declined the film. At that time, Kartik Aaryan was coming off back-to-back commercial projects and, as per reports, even signed on for what would have been a first collaboration with Vishal Bhardwaj. After detailed discussions about the subject, Kartik eventually decided not to move ahead.

O' Romeo casting twist and Kartik Aaryan decision in O' Romeo

Industry reports state Kartik Aaryan turned down O' Romeo because playing a full-blown anti-hero felt premature in that phase of the career. Kartik later experimented with morally grey shades in Freddy, which released in 2022, after stepping away from this gangster story.

Following Kartik Aaryan’s exit, Vishal Bhardwaj reportedly approached long-time collaborator Shahid Kapoor for the central part inspired by Hussain Ustara. The project, earlier titled Arjun Ustara, was then locked with Shahid, and the film is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala for a theatrical release.

O' Romeo teaser, cast and gangster story in O' Romeo

The teaser of O' Romeo has caught the interest of cinema fans, especially those who follow crime dramas. The film is said to draw from the lives of Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi and is set in a violent, emotionally charged underworld space.

The ensemble cast includes Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Farida Jalal, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia and Disha Patani, with Aruna Irani also part of the story. The makers promise a gritty gangster narrative packed with strong characters and interpersonal conflict.

O' Romeo marks another collaboration between Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj after Kaminey, Haider and Rangoon. Speaking to IANS about returning to Bhardwaj’s world, Shahid said, "It's got a stellar cast. It's got me, it's got Triptii, it's got Nana sir, it's got Vikrant Massey, who's in a special appearance. And I have thoroughly enjoyed the work of all these people. And I'm very excited to collaborate and work with all of them."

Shahid further described what viewers can expect from O' Romeo, saying, "It's a gangster film based in the 90s. At heart, it's a love story, but it's full of action and gangsters. So hopefully that'll be appealing to a wide section of the audience because we want a wide section of the audience to see the film." Set in the 1990s with unrequited love at its core, the film explores passion, pain and the lasting consequences when love is refused, with Sajid Nadiadwala backing the project for its February 13 release.