Shahid Kapoor’s O Romeo Faces Legal Storm: Hussain Ustara’s Daughter Demands ₹2 Crore, Alleges Distortion of Facts
One of the most talked-about Bollywood films of 2026, O Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor, has landed in serious legal trouble weeks before its scheduled theatrical release on February 13. The film, which marks Shahid’s return to a gritty, raw avatar, is now facing a legal challenge from the family of Hussain Ustara, the man whose life is believed to have inspired the story.
Sanober Sheikh, daughter of Hussain Ustara, has served a legal notice to the makers of O Romeo, demanding ₹2 crore in compensation and seeking a halt on the film’s release. Her primary allegation is that the film misrepresents her father’s life and portrays him inaccurately, especially by placing him in the bracket of underworld crime.
The controversy has intensified at a crucial time, as O Romeo was being positioned as one of the biggest pre-Valentine’s Day releases, with strong buzz driven by Shahid Kapoor’s intense transformation and the film’s dark romantic undertone.
Background
O Romeo is helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, known for his layered storytelling and morally complex characters. The film also stars Triptii Dimri in a key role, marking her first collaboration with Shahid Kapoor.
The legal dispute erupted soon after the release of the film’s first song, “Hum To Tere Hi Liye The”, which showcased a romantic connection between the lead characters. Soon after its release, social media users began drawing parallels between the characters in the film and real-life figures Hussain Ustara and Ashraf Khan, also known as Sapna Didi.
Sanober Sheikh has strongly objected to this portrayal. In multiple media interactions, she stated that the film’s narrative is factually incorrect and emotionally damaging to her family. According to her, her father was not a gangster but someone who worked against criminal elements.
She maintained that Hussain Ustara had no criminal record and was widely respected in his community for helping people and attempting to clean up crime-ridden areas. She also rejected the romantic angle suggested in the film between her father and Sapna Didi, clarifying that the relationship was one of mentorship and familial care.
Sanober further claimed that Sapna Didi frequently visited their home and office and was treated like a sister by her father. She has asserted that portraying this bond as romantic, especially in a film marketed as being based on true events, damages her father’s legacy.
Industry Buzz
The legal notice has sent ripples across the Hindi film industry, especially because O Romeo has been promoted as a film inspired by real events. In recent years, Bollywood has increasingly faced legal challenges over biographical and “inspired-by” stories, with courts and families demanding accountability over factual representation.
According to Sanober Sheikh, her initial legal notice focused solely on correcting the portrayal and protecting her father’s image, without any monetary demand. She claims the compensation figure was introduced later after the makers allegedly stopped responding to her concerns.
She also denied allegations made by the production team that she had threatened them, stating that choosing a legal route cannot be labelled as intimidation. Sanober has alleged that communication from the film’s team has ceased after an initial response, prompting her to prepare a second legal notice.
Meanwhile, fan reactions online have been divided. While Shahid Kapoor’s supporters continue to express excitement over his intense screen presence and collaboration with Vishal Bhardwaj, others have raised concerns about ethical storytelling when films borrow heavily from real lives.
From a box office perspective, O Romeo was expected to open strong, riding on Shahid’s popularity and the director’s track record. The controversy, however, has introduced uncertainty around promotional strategies, advance bookings, and even the release date.
Neither the film’s producers nor Shahid Kapoor have issued an official public statement addressing the allegations so far, adding to speculation around possible edits, disclaimers, or legal negotiations behind the scenes.
What’s Next
With February 13 fast approaching, the future of O Romeo hangs in balance. If the legal dispute escalates, the makers may be forced to seek court intervention, issue clarifications, or potentially delay the release.
Legal experts note that films claiming inspiration from real events often rely on disclaimers, but such measures may not always shield them if identifiable characters and narratives are involved. The outcome may depend on whether the makers can convincingly establish that O Romeo is a work of fiction rather than a biographical portrayal.
For Shahid Kapoor, the timing is critical. The actor has invested heavily in the project, both physically and creatively, and the film was expected to mark a significant phase in his career trajectory. A delayed or controversial release could impact not just box office returns but also public perception.
As audiences await clarity, all eyes remain on how Vishal Bhardwaj and the production team respond to the mounting legal pressure — and whether O Romeo will make it to cinemas as planned or face a prolonged courtroom battle.
Our Final Thoughts
The controversy surrounding O Romeo once again highlights the thin line filmmakers walk when drawing from real-life stories. While creative freedom is essential for cinema to evolve, sensitivity and factual responsibility become equally important when real people and legacies are involved. As the legal process unfolds, the resolution of this case could set another important precedent for Bollywood’s approach to “inspired-by” narratives. For now, anticipation around O Romeo remains high — but so does the scrutiny.
