Hussain Ustara’s daughter denies threatening ‘O Romeo’ makers, demands legal clarity

o romeo legal row

• Hussain Ustara's family denies issuing threats over O Romeo film content
• Sanober Shaikh demands a pre-screening and claims facts are twisted in the film
• Family pursuing legal action, not seeking money or fame

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Controversy has surrounded the upcoming Bollywood film O Romeo after reports claimed that the family of late Mumbai gangster Hussain Ustara issued threats to the filmmakers over its content. Sanober Shaikh, Ustara’s daughter, has now publicly denied such allegations and clarified that her family has not threatened the cast or crew but has instead pursued legal avenues to address their concerns.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sanober said that the film’s makers never sought permission from her family before developing or promoting O Romeo, which many believe is inspired by her father’s story. Shaikh said, “The makers never took permission from us to make a film inspired by our baba’s life. We have never been in the public space and are not doing this for money or fame. Ever since the news of a film based on him went public, our family has been harassed, people are sending us messages and videos and questioning us.”

Defending her father, she said the film has twisted facts and presented them in an undignified manner. According to social media buzz, O Romeo will depict the story of Ustara helping and training Sapna Didi, characters played by Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri.

Much of the dispute centres on how the film portrays the relationship between characters played by Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, who in real life are thought to represent Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi. Sanober argued that Sapna Didi was like a sister to her father, and that a romantic angle suggested in promotional material is neither accurate nor respectful of true events.

With a romantic song already released, Shaikh sounded upset. “She was like a sister to my baba, but as per the film, they are showing a romantic angle, which is absolutely wrong. We are demanding a pre-screening for the film so we can understand what it is all about. If they are taking my father’s story, they should keep it real. We are ready to fight the case till the end.”

She also claimed there were earlier reports that the film was based on her father and that the makers are now denying it. “They have the freedom, but because of it, our lives are very disturbed. Even before the trailers were released, we were being harassed. Our worlds are very different from the film world, and we don’t want to be part of it. We are really disturbed as a family.”

Sanober Shaikh did not want to divulge details about the legal case, saying the matter is sub judice. “Vishal Bharadwaj is an acclaimed director and Shahid Kapoor is also a good actor, and we have no issues with anyone. We want to watch the film before it releases so we can give it a go-ahead. We also want the makers to accept that our family has given no threats to them. Rest, we will fight this in court,” she concluded.

Also read: Who was Hussain Ustara? The underworld figure inspiring Shahid Kapoor’s O’ Romeo

The film, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, also stars Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia, Avinash Tiwary, and Farida Jalal.