O’ Romeo: A Gritty Romance With Style, But Struggles to Find Its Heart
O’ Romeo arrives with a fresh reunion of Shahid Kapoor and acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, promising a gritty action-romance set against the crime world of Mumbai. But while it delivers in style and performance in pockets, it doesn’t always hold together as a satisfying cinematic experience.
The film centers on Ustara (Shahid Kapoor), a professional killer working for corrupt cops who is drawn into a deadly struggle when Afsha (Triptii Dimri) seeks vengeance for her husband’s murder. What begins as a mission of retribution gradually becomes a complicated bond between them, with love and loyalty testing Ustara’s brutal world.
From the outset, O’ Romeo aims for a rugged, old-school crime aesthetic, richly textured visuals, intense action sequences, and stylistic framing that recalls Bhardwaj’s earlier classics. The world that emerges feels lived-in, from the chaotic streets of Mumbai to the unusual shift in locales later in the story. Yet this emphasis on mood sometimes overshadows narrative clarity: the blend of genres, gangster film, emotional romance, and high-octane action, often feels uneven and at odds with itself.
One of O’ Romeo’s clear strengths is its performances. Shahid Kapoor carries Ustara with intense commitment, toggling between menace and vulnerability with convincing ease, making him the most compelling presence on screen. Triptii Dimri also stands out, infusing Afsha with emotional depth that keeps her from being reduced to a mere plot device. Supporting actors like Nana Patekar and Farida Jalal provide reliable color, even if not always given enough material to fully shine.
However, solid performances alone can’t mask some of the film’s structural issues. The first half’s pacing feels slow, building atmosphere but not dramatic tension, while the second half tries to compensate with a barrage of melodramatic twists and stylistic set-pieces that don’t always justify their length or placement. At nearly three hours, O’ Romeo tests patience as its focus drifts, and character arcs that should resonate sometimes fall flat.
Another sticking point is the emotional core of the romance. Despite the title suggesting a passionate love story, the connection between Ustara and Afsha struggles to fully convince, largely because the film never quite lets their relationship grow organically amidst the chaos. Even where tender moments appear, they are often short-lived and overwhelmed by the surrounding violence.
Technically, the film is watchable and stylish, the visuals are gritty yet polished, and the background score adds tension without overpowering scenes. But the screenplay wavers between ambition and indecision, trying to be both a poetic crime saga and a mainstream thriller without committing fully to either.
O’ Romeo is a film with standout performances and flashes of cinematic flair but is hindered by uneven pacing and a narrative that never quite finds its emotional footing. It’s a mixed bag, one that’s watchable mainly for Shahid Kapoor’s commanding screen presence and Bhardwaj’s distinctive style, but falls short of delivering the cohesive impact its promising elements suggested.
