Here is the complete breakdown of the controversy shaking up the industry this week.
The Accusation: "My Father Was Not a Romeo!" ⚖️
The trouble stems from the allegation that the film is unofficially based on the life of the late Mumbai gangster Hussain Ustara (a known rival of Dawood Ibrahim) and his association with Sapna Didi.
The Claimant: Sanober Shaikh, the daughter of Hussain Ustara, has sent a legal notice to producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Vishal Bhardwaj.
The Demand: She is demanding ₹2 Crore in compensation, claiming the film uses her father's life story without permission and portrays him in a "bad light," damaging their family reputation.
The "Romantic" Objection 💔
The biggest point of contention is the film’s core premise—a passionate romance between the gangster (Shahid) and the female lead (Triptii Dimri).
The Real Story: Sanober claims that in real life, the woman (Sapna Didi) was "like a sister" to her father, not a lover.
The Quote: In a statement to the press yesterday (Jan 19), she clarified:
"They have distorted facts. There was no romance. Showing a sister-figure as a lover is unacceptable."
Trailer Launch Cancelled! 🚫
The situation escalated over the weekend when reports surfaced that the makers decided to cancel the on-ground trailer launch event.
The Reason: While the official stance is "logistical issues," insiders confirm that security concerns following the legal notice and the sensitive nature of the "underworld" connection forced them to pull the plug.
Plan B: The trailer is now expected to drop directly on digital platforms on Wednesday, Jan 21.
The "Irrfan-Deepika" Connection
For those who remember, this isn't a new script. This project was originally titled 'Sapna Didi' (and later Arjun Ustara) and was supposed to star the late Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone back in 2018.
The Delay: After Irrfan’s tragic illness and passing, the project was shelved, only to be revived now as O Romeo with Shahid and Triptii.
SantaBanta Verdict: Vishal Bhardwaj is known for walking the razor's edge with his stories (Haider, Omkara). But with a ₹2 Crore lawsuit and a furious family involved, O Romeo is facing its toughest villain yet—reality.
