The conflict between Mumbai’s underworld history and Bollywood has once again reached the court’s threshold. Veteran actor Shahid Kapoor’s upcoming film ‘O Romeo’ is embroiled in legal controversies even before its release. Gangster Hussain Ustara’s daughter has approached the court accusing the film’s makers of tarnishing her father’s image. Bollywood director Vishal Bhardwaj and producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s much-awaited film ‘O Romeo’ is stuck in legal trouble. On Monday, Sanobi Shaikh, daughter of late gangster Hussain Shaikh (aka Hussain Ustara), filed a petition in a civil court in Mumbai demanding an immediate stay on the release of the film.
Sanobi has claimed in the petition that the film is an unauthorized biography of his late father and he has been wrongly portrayed in the film. Hussain Shaikh, known as Hussain Ustara, and his daughter Sanobar Shaikh have filed a case in a civil court against the film’s producer Sajid Nadiadwala, director Vishal Bhardwaj and journalist-writer Hussain Zaidi, which will be heard on February 6. The film stars Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor in the role of Ustara and is based on Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’. The film is to be released in theaters on 13 February.
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Hussain Ustara: Who was this gangster?
‘Hussain Ustara’ was a well-known name in the underworld history of Mumbai. He was also known as Hussain Shaikh.
Fear of the Razor: He was famous for always carrying an ‘Ustara’ (razor) with him, hence his name.
The era of Varadarajan and Haji Mastan: Ustara was an active criminal in the era when Mumbai was dominated by gangsters like Varadarajan Mudaliar and Haji Mastan.
Gangubai’s connection: Interestingly, Ustara is also mentioned in Hussain Zaidi’s famous book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’. In this he is mentioned in the context of Gangubai Kathiawadi, where he appears as a fierce rival.
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Background and cast of the film
Based on the book: The film is said to be inspired by the chapters of journalist-writer Hussain Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’.
Shahid Kapoor’s role: Shahid Kapoor is playing the lead role (Hussain Ustara) in the film. This is the third big partnership of Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid after ‘Haider’ and ‘Kaminey’.
Release date: The film is to be released on 13 February 2026 on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.
Court hearing and future
Considering the seriousness of this matter, the court has fixed the date of hearing on 6 February 2026. The eyes of the film industry are fixed on this hearing because crores of rupees are at stake on the promotion of this film releasing on February 13.