O’ Romeo Movie Review: Shahid Kapoor shines, but this Vishal Bhardwaj film remains an underwhelming affair

O' Romeo review

• Shahid Kapoor delivers a standout performance in 'O' Romeo
• The film offers stylish visuals but suffers from a weak narrative
• Vishal Bhardwaj's most commercial film is a mixed bag

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‘O’ Romeo,’ directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, released in theatres on 13 February and stars Shahid Kapoor, Tripti Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Nana Patekar, Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia and Farida Jalal.

A straightforward yet stylish experiment

‘O’ Romeo’ is possibly director Vishal Bhardwaj’s most straightforward film. This romantic action drama doubles as a proper revenge story, soaked in gore, where Shahid Kapoor goes all out, Rambo-style, and goons fall like ninepins and romance. The film is stylishly shot and filled with quirky characters, but despite the novelty, it remains underwhelming. The plot feels like a throwback to the mindless action films of the 70s and 80s, though with a distinct Bhardwaj signature.

The Shahid Kapoor–Vishal Bhardwaj combination works well, but this time much of the credit goes to Kapoor. The world of ‘O’ Romeo’ is far removed from Bhardwaj’s usual universe. While the setting, performances, and quirks mostly work, the story feels average, and the three-hour runtime is a stretch.

The film tries to be a high-octane entertainer and succeeds in parts but misses the mark in others. Its visual style and quirky moments give it enough flair to hold attention despite the weak narrative.

A revenge story across continents

This fictional story, drawing inspiration from real-life events, is set in 1995. It follows Ustara (Shahid Kapoor), a feared Mumbai gangster known for killing people with a razor, and Afsha (Tripti Dimri), who wants revenge for her husband Mehboob’s (Vikrant Massey) murder.

Afsha approaches Ustara to eliminate the men responsible for Mehboob’s death: Pathare, Shankar, Ansari, and Jalal. Ustara initially refuses, but seeing her anger and helplessness, he eventually agrees. The plot moves from Mumbai to Kathmandu and finally to Spain, where Ustara had worked for Jalal (Avinash Tiwary), who has been hunting him for killing his brother.

Alongside, Ustara works as a contract killer for Khan, an officer of the Intelligence Bureau. The story’s globe-trotting nature adds variety, though some sequences feel overlong and stretched out.

Quirky 90s milieu with a spanish twist

The film does well in building a vivid 1995 milieu. Bhardwaj sprinkles in news and period references at intervals to remind viewers of the era. In the opening, Kapoor’s character takes down dozens of henchmen in a cinema hall while Madhuri Dixit’s “Dhak Dhak” plays on screen, setting the tone for the film. A Spanish flavour adds a unique touch, and Bhardwaj balances action with romance convincingly. Still, the narrative rarely excites, and the raw grittiness typical of his films feels muted.

The story leans heavily on Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri, who deliver strong performances, though moments of humor are scarce. The visuals, locations, and music help lift the film, giving it a stylish sheen even when the plot drags.

Shahid Kapoor shines

This film belongs squarely to Shahid Kapoor, who gives a fantastic performance as Ustara. His portrayal is convincing in both emotional and action sequences, and he even nails comic timing. Tripti Dimri is equally credible as Afsha, a grieving woman torn between love and revenge. Nana Patekar shines as IB officer Ismail Khan, his natural presence a highlight.

Avinash Tiwary disappoints somewhat, with his menacing act bordering on caricature. Tamannaah Bhatia (Rubia) and Vikrant Massey (Mehboob) appear briefly but leave an impact. Overall, the actors make the story believable and engaging, even when the narrative itself struggles to maintain momentum.

Also Read: CBFC asks Shahid Kapoor’s O’Romeo makers to replace ‘item’ with ‘Kumari’, violent scenes trimmed

A mixed bag that shines in parts

‘O’ Romeo' is like a grand building: impressive from the outside but not what you expect inside. This is Bhardwaj’s most commercial attempt, and it both succeeds and misfires. The film is worth watching mainly for Shahid Kapoor, who owns the role completely. While the story and pacing falter, the visual style, action sequences, and quirky moments keep it watchable.

Ultimately, ‘O’ Romeo’ is entertaining at times but rarely leaves a lingering impression, making it a mixed bag for fans of Bhardwaj’s work. Despite its flaws, the film manages a few high points, but the three-hour journey is a stretch.

Rating: 2.5/5