Legal Battle Unfolds Over O'Romeo Film Release

A legal dispute has surfaced ahead of the highly anticipated theatrical debut of the Hindi film O'Romeo. Sanober Shaikh, the daughter of the late Hussain Ustara, has taken legal action by filing a civil suit in a Mumbai court to halt the movie's release. The lawsuit, lodged on Monday, contends that the film presents an unauthorised and inaccurate portrayal of her father's life.

Sanober Shaikh's Allegations and Request for Injunction

Sanober Shaikh's lawsuit targets O'Romeo's producer Sajid Nadiadwala, director Vishal Bhardwaj, and journalist-author Hussain Zaidi as defendants. She seeks a permanent injunction to prevent the film from hitting screens on its scheduled release date of February 13, 2026, or any subsequent date unless sanctioned by the court. The petition highlights the absence of prior consent from the plaintiff during the film's development process and alleges that the movie was crafted for commercial gain, closely mirroring the biography of Hussain Ustara.

Call for Pre-Screening and Content Review

In her legal filing, Sanober expresses grave concerns regarding the depiction of her father, fearing it could cause irreparable harm to her family's reputation. She underscores the potential repercussions on her children and stresses the need for a peaceful environment. The lawsuit also references previous legal notifications sent to the filmmakers. Representatives of Bhardwaj and Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment have refuted claims that O'Romeo is a biographical piece, asserting its fictional nature.

As part of the relief sought, Sanober's petition urges the court to mandate a pre-screening of the film and appoint an authorised individual to review its content before any public screening. The civil court is slated to deliberate on the matter on February 6, weighing temporary and permanent injunctions. O'Romeo, featuring Shahid Kapoor and inspired by Hussain Zaidi's book 'Mafia Queens of Mumbai,' is scheduled to hit cinemas on February 13.