O'Romeo Review Roundup: Shahid Kapoor's Film Is Vivid, Visceral, and Visually Varied

Updated: February 14, 2026 – Vishal Bhardwaj's O'Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, has finally arrived in cinemas. The film, a violent and poetic gangster saga inspired by a chapter from Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, marks the fourth collaboration between the director and his frequent muse, Shahid Kapoor. Here is a comprehensive look at what critics are saying about this ambitious, three-hour epic.

🌟 The Positive: A Visceral, Audacious Feast

A significant portion of the praise for O'Romeo centers on its unmistakable Vishal Bhardwaj stamp—lyrical violence, dark humor, and a unique visual language. Saibal Chatterjee for NDTV gave the film a glowing 3.5/5 stars, calling it a "vivid, visceral, and visually varied film." He wrote, "The most striking aspect of a Vishal Bhardwaj film, even one that does not fully land, is that there is nary a dull moment in it. He does not hold back... O'Romeo combines the sweep of Shakespearean theatre with the tried-and-tested devices of crime movies." He particularly lauded the film's use of music, stating that the songs and background score, both by Bhardwaj, are "an absolute treat" [citation:9].

Umesh Punwani for Koimoi also awarded the film 3.5/5 stars, describing it as "the bloodiest unsettling Valentine." In his analysis, he noted, "We call Vishal Bhardwaj a magician, and why so is proved in this tale. His direction is patient... He allows silences to speak as loudly as the gunshots." He concluded that the film is "an altogether mood – dark, poetic, and violent," and a must-watch in theatres [citation:10].

Sukanya Verma for Mid-day gave it 3/5 stars, acknowledging its bipolar nature but ultimately appreciating its ambition. "Once you reconcile yourself to this bipolar nature/order of entertainment, onscreen - it becomes easier to connect and enjoy the film for its own worth," she wrote, calling it audacious and ambitious, with a "cult" appeal in parts [citation:5].

🎭 Performance Powerhouse: Shahid and Triptii Shine

Across the board, critics agree that the performances are a major highlight. Shahid Kapoor is widely praised for his return to the intense, "angsty" territory he occupies so well in Bhardwaj's universe. The NDTV review notes that he "brings back memories of Kaminey and Haider with a performance that alternates between the manic and the brooding. His range is impressive" [citation:9]. Koimoi echoes this, stating, "Something shifts in his DNA organically when Shahid Kapoor enters Vishal Bhardwaj's world as Ustraa. Too loud at times and still having eyes that haunt in silences. Shahid pulls off both emotions with such finesse" [citation:10]. Mira Rajput, Shahid's wife, called it his "best yet" after a special screening [citation:7].

Triptii Dimri receives equal acclaim for her portrayal of Afshan, a widow seeking revenge. The Indian Express review praised her ability to be "heartbroken as well as feral" [citation:6]. NDTV found her "strikingly convincing" as a "timorous femme fatale who will not go down without a fight" [citation:9]. Koimoi highlighted that her character is "calculating her revenge," bringing "fierce, modern agency" to the role [citation:10]. Homi Adajania, filmmaker, simply called her "so watchable" [citation:7].

Avinash Tiwary as the antagonist Jalal also earns his share of praise. Critics from The Telegraph India felt his menace doesn't fully materialize on screen [citation:4], but others like Koimoi found him "unpredictable," reminding one of the "madness of Qais in parts" and looking "powerful as the villain" [citation:10].

🤔 The Mixed Bag: Pacing, Screenplay, and Emotional Core

While the style and performances are lauded, the film's substance and structure have drawn criticism. Shubhra Gupta for The Indian Express gave it 2.5/5 stars, arguing that "the thing with building your scaffold on style and swag is that you end up skating on thin substance." She found the film "left swinging between highs and lows" and struggled to connect emotionally, stating, "I kept wanting to feel more" [citation:6].

Cinema Express was even more critical, awarding just 2/5 stars. Their review lamented that the film "falters at being both poetic and pandering," suffering from a "splintered storyline" that doesn't know if it wants to be a mass-actioner, a doomed romance, or a crime-drama [citation:1]. Agnivo Niyogi for The Telegraph India pointed out a key flaw: "Ustra is introduced as a reckless man... His sudden transformation into someone willing to sacrifice everything for Afsha feels abrupt. That emotional disconnect becomes the film’s recurring flaw" [citation:4].

Audience reactions on X (formerly Twitter) captured this divide. While many praised the intensity, one fan wrote, "Second half does feel a bit long but still holds the screenplay with twists and turns. But the overall film still feels a bit like a routine gangster drama that we have seen multiple times" [citation:3]. Another criticized its "sluggish pacing" and "generic" screenplay [citation:3].

🎨 Visuals, Music, and the Bhardwaj Touch

One area of near-universal agreement is the film's technical brilliance. The cinematography by Ben Bernhard, editing by Aarif Sheikh, and production design by Mustafa Stationwala have all been highly praised. NDTV described the film as a "visual treat that never flags or loses any of its lustre" [citation:9]. The use of different color palettes for various locations—a docked ship, a Spanish mansion, a bullfighting ring—was noted as a standout feature.

Vishal Bhardwaj's music, with lyrics by the legendary Gulzar, is another unanimous highlight. The Koimoi review called the music "absolute class" and the film's "beating heart" [citation:10]. A fan on X exclaimed, "Kya album banayi hai bhai O' Romeo ki, definitely one of his best" [citation:2]. The NDTV review emphasized that the film uses music "as a solid narrative spine" [citation:9].

📊 Box Office and Final Verdict

Despite the mixed critical reception, O'Romeo had a solid opening at the box office. As per early estimates reported by Hindustan Times, the film collected ₹6.95 crore nett on its first day, surpassing the opening day collections of Shahid's previous films like Deva, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, and Jersey [citation:8].

The final verdict from critics seems to be that O'Romeo is a film of considerable highs and frustrating lows. It is a feast for the senses that may leave the heart wanting. As one reviewer put it, "You walk out entertained in flashes... and strangely unmoved" [citation:6]. Whether that adds up to a satisfying experience will likely depend on a viewer's patience for Bhardwaj's singular, poetic brand of carnage.

📚 References

1. "O Romeo Movie Review: Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri's romantic-actioner falters at being both poetic and pandering". Cinema Express. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
2. "O'Romeo Public Review: Shahid Kapoor and Avinash Tiwary Impress Viewers". Filmfare. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
3. "O'Romeo X reviews: Fans praise Shahid's intensity but slam sluggish screenplay". India Today. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
4. "O'Romeo' review: Shahid Kapoor is Charlie, Haider and Kabir Singh combined in a tale of love and violence". Telegraph India. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
5. "O'Romeo movie review: Vishal Bhardwaj's film is audacious and ambitious". Mid-day. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
6. "O Romeo movie review: Shahid Kapoor-Triptii Dimri film is high on style and swag, low on substance". The Indian Express. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
7. "O Romeo 1st review out: Shahid Kapoor delivers his 'best yet'; Triptii Dimri applauded for her 'ferocity, innocence'". Hindustan Times. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
8. "O Romeo box office collection day 1: Shahid Kapoor film opens at nearly ₹7 cr; beats Deva, TBMAUJ, Jersey". Hindustan Times. February 14, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
9. "O'Romeo Review: Shahid Kapoor Film Is Vivid, Visceral And Visually Varied". NDTV. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
10. "O Romeo Movie Review: Shahid Kapoor & Triptii Dimri Turn Darkest Shades Of Red In Vishal Bhardwaj's Poetic World & I Settle For The Bloodiest Unsettling Valentine!". Koimoi. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.

📌 Related Articles

• Shahid Kapoor: Complete Filmography & Biography
• Vishal Bhardwaj's Shakespeare Trilogy: A Retrospective
• Triptii Dimri: From 'Bulbbul' to Leading Lady
• The Music of Vishal Bhardwaj: A Playlist for Every Mood

Whether you're drawn in by the promise of Bhardwaj's poetry or Shahid's intensity, O'Romeo is a theatrical experience that demands to be seen on the big screen.