Shahid Kapoor’s ‘O Romeo’ Gets Clearance From Bombay High Court

In a major relief for the makers of Shahid Kapoor starrer ‘O Romeo,’ the Bombay City Civil Court has dismissed a legal challenge seeking to restrain the release of the movie.

The decision followed a high-stakes hearing where the Hon’ble Court examined claims related to personality and privacy rights alongside the fundamental right to creative expression.

The lawsuit was filed by the daughter of the late Hussain Shaikh, who alleged that the film’s portrayal violated her father’s privacy and reputation. However, it was pointed out during the hearing that although the film had been publicly announced in late 2024, the legal challenge was brought at the eleventh hour, just days before the scheduled premiere.

While dismissing the application, the Hon’ble Court reaffirmed that the right to privacy is personal in nature and expires upon an individual’s death. As such, it cannot be inherited or exercised by family members to restrain the creation or release of artistic works.

The court also noted that the movie is a work of fiction, supported by a clear disclaimer stating that the characters are fictional and any resemblance to real persons is coincidental. It was further argued—and accepted—that stopping a film’s release at the last moment would cause irreparable financial losses to the filmmakers and various third parties involved in the project.

Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, “O’Romeo” is based on Hussain Zaidi’s novel “Mafia Queens of Mumbai.”

Set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s underworld, the film traces the journey of Hussain Ustara, a raw and emotionally conflicted gangster. The cast includes Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, and Tamannaah Bhatia in pivotal roles. The film is slated to hit cinema halls on February 13.

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