O Romeo Review & Day 1 Box Office – Dark Gangster Romance With Style, Soul & Script Issues
O Romeo Review & Box Office Collection Day 1: The much-anticipated reunion of Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj delivers a visually rich gangster romance that blends poetry, violence, and obsession—but struggles with narrative consistency. While performances and craft win praise, the uneven screenplay and long runtime divide critics and audiences.
If you’re searching for a detailed O Romeo movie review, rating, cast performance breakdown, and Day 1 box office collection, here’s a complete deep dive.
O Romeo Movie Review: Dark, Poetic… and Uneven
O Romeo is a dark gangster-romance set in post-independence Mumbai’s underworld. With a runtime of 178 minutes, the film mixes crime noir, tragic love, and stylised brutality with Bhardwaj’s trademark poetic treatment.
Critics widely agree: the visual and tonal ambition is high, but the writing doesn’t always keep up.
Core strengths highlighted in reviews:
- Operatic visual design
- Stylised action and character entries
- Strong lead performances
- Haunting background score
Common complaints:
- Overlong runtime
- Uneven emotional arc
- The romance track feels rushed and underdeveloped
- Visually strong but dramatically inconsistent climax
Story & Tone (Spoiler-Free)
The story follows Romeo Avtar aka Ustra, a violent yet eccentric gangster played by Shahid Kapoor, who secretly assists intelligence operations while ruling his bloody corner of the underworld.
He crosses paths with Afsha, played by Triptii Dimri, a woman driven by revenge tied to crime boss Jamal, played by Avinash Tiwary.
What Works in the First Half
- Explosive character introduction scenes
- Stylish violence and swagger-heavy staging
- Distinct gangster-poetry mood
- Strong pacing and intrigue
Where the Second Half Slips
- Love story arc feels abrupt
- Emotional transformation lacks depth
- Spain bullfight stretch looks grand but feels dramatically thin
- Momentum dips before the climax
SEO note: Many reviewers describe the film as “style-heavy, script-light”—a recurring theme across critiques.
Performance Breakdown
Shahid Kapoor as Romeo / Ustra
Shahid earns some of the best reviews of the film:
- Intense, unpredictable, magnetic screen presence
- Blends menace with vulnerability
- Echoes shades of his past darker roles while feeling fresh
- Carries most of the film’s emotional and dramatic weight
Triptii Dimri as Afsha
- Quietly powerful and emotionally grounded
- Adds sincerity to romantic stretches
- Strong screen presence despite uneven writing support
Avinash Tiwary as Jamal
- Conceptually strong villain
- Performance solid, but menace undercut by writing gaps
Supporting Cast
Veteran actor Nana Patekar and others add texture to the gangster landscape, though some supporting roles feel underused.
Direction, Music & Visual Craft
Director Vishal Bhardwaj leans heavily into mood-driven storytelling.
Technical highlights:
- Meticulously composed frames
- Strong colour symbolism (especially blood-red motifs)
- Period Mumbai recreated with texture
- Lyrical background score and songs
Critical consensus:
The film is often more engaging as visual poetry than tight narrative cinema — admired shot by shot, but not always gripping scene by scene.
O Romeo Day 1 Box Office Collection (India)
Search-friendly summary for readers tracking performance:
- Day 1 India Nett: ₹8–9 crore range
- Reported figures vary between ₹8.25 crore and ₹9.01 crore
- Occupancy: Under 15% overall on opening day
- Expected boost: Valentine’s weekend + performance-driven word of mouth
Box Office Context
- Among Shahid Kapoor’s stronger post-pandemic openings
- Opened better than several of his recent releases
- Still below the ideal ₹10+ crore star-driven opener mark
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What Works vs What Doesn’t
1. What Works
- Shahid Kapoor’s intense performance
- Triptii Dimri’s emotional grounding
- Visual style and production design
- Music and background score
- Bold gangster-romance tone
2. What Doesn’t
- Overlong runtime
- Uneven screenplay
- Underdeveloped romance arc
- Climax lacks punch
- Villain’s impact diluted by writing
Final Verdict: Hit for Cinephiles, Mixed for Mainstream
O Romeo works best for viewers who enjoy:
- Dark gangster romances
- Mood-driven cinema
- Poetic filmmaking
- Performance-centric dramas
Mainstream audiences expecting a tight, high-energy crime blockbuster may find it stylish but flawed. For lovers of Vishal Bhardwaj’s cinematic language and Shahid Kapoor’s darker roles, it could grow into a future cult favourite. Click here to book your tickets at BookMyShow.
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