Shahid Kapoor’s latest release O Romeo has registered a solid start at the box office, collecting nearly ₹7 crore on its opening day. The Vishal Bhardwaj directorial, featuring Triptii Dimri as the female lead, opened in theatres on Friday with encouraging numbers that surpass the actor’s recent releases.
According to early estimates from Sacnilk.com, O Romeo earned ₹6.95 crore nett in India on day 1. The film had 4,747 shows across the country with an average occupancy of 11.7 per cent. While the occupancy figures are modest, the opening day collection marks a positive beginning for the gangster drama.
O Romeo Outperforms Shahid’s Recent Films
The nearly ₹7 crore opening puts O Romeo ahead of Shahid Kapoor’s 2025 release Deva, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, which had collected ₹5.50 crore on its first day. The film also surpassed his 2024 romantic comedy Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (TBMAUJ), helmed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah, which earned ₹6.70 crore on day one.
Additionally, O Romeo has comfortably beaten Jersey (2022), directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, which managed only ₹3.2 crore on its opening day. This performance indicates renewed audience interest in Shahid’s work, particularly when paired with a director of Vishal Bhardwaj’s calibre.
The comparison is significant. Shahid has been searching for a solid commercial hit, and while one day doesn’t make a verdict, the trajectory looks more promising than his last few outings.
Critical Reception: What Reviews Are Saying
The O Romeo movie review consensus highlights Shahid Kapoor as the film’s primary strength. Critics have praised his wild energy and commitment to playing gangster Hussain Ustara. He brings intensity and unpredictability to every frame, making the film watchable even when the narrative falters.
Triptii Dimri has also earned appreciation for seamlessly fitting into Bhardwaj’s dark, gritty universe. Their chemistry delivers some genuinely engaging moments. However, the film struggles with emotional clarity in its storytelling.
Avinash Tiwary attempts something new by playing a vicious gangster, but the writing keeps him confined to a familiar caricature. Tamannaah Bhatia, cast as Avinash’s traumatised wife, barely registers and feels underutilised. Nana Patekar, as expected, delivers a dependable performance.
One critic summed it up: “O Romeo has moments that remind you why Bhardwaj remains one of our most distinctive filmmakers, but they are scattered across a narrative that loses emotional clarity along the way. You walk out entertained in flashes… and strangely unmoved.”
The Story and Star Cast
O Romeo is inspired by a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. The film explores passion, pain, and the irreversible consequences of love denied through the lens of gangster Hussain Ustara’s life.
The ensemble cast includes Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia, Avinash Tiwary, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, and Nana Patekar. Produced under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, the film attempts to balance Bhardwaj’s signature dark storytelling with mainstream commercial appeal.
What Lies Ahead for O Romeo?
The real box office test for O Romeo will be its weekend performance and weekday sustenance. With Shahid’s energetic performance as the main draw and growing curiosity around the Bhardwaj-Dimri pairing, the film has room to grow if word-of-mouth remains positive.
Saturday and Sunday numbers will reveal whether this translates into a genuine hit or settles as a respectable performer. For now, beating Deva, TBMAUJ, and Jersey gives Shahid Kapoor a much-needed boost in his box office journey.
