Debate around Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming film O Romeo has intensified, as Hussain Ustara’s daughter Sanober Shaikh rejected claims that the family threatened the makers.
Sanober wants to watch the film before release, challenges its reported romantic track, and says the family is prepared for a legal battle.
The controversy began after the recent O Romeo teaser dropped online. Social media users quickly speculated that the story draws from the lives of Mumbai figure Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi. Soon after, reports surfaced alleging that Ustara’s family had issued threats to the filmmakers.
O Romeo and Hussain Ustara dispute: family denies threats
Speaking to India Today, Sanober strongly rejected those threat reports and stressed respect for the team. She said, “Vishal Bharadwaj is an acclaimed director, and Shahid Kapoor is also a good actor, and we have no issues with anyone. We want to watch the film before it releases so we can give it a go-ahead. We also want the makers to accept that our family has given no threats to them. Rest, we will fight this in court.”
Sanober also objected to how O Romeo appears to portray the relationship between Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi. She said Sapna held a position in the family closer to a sibling. She said, “She was like a sister to my baba, but as per the film, they are showing a romantic angle, which is absolutely wrong. We are demanding a pre-screening for the film so we can understand what it is all about. If they are taking my father’s story, they should keep it real. We are ready to fight the case till the end.”
O Romeo dispute over Hussain Ustara story rights and consent
According to Sanober, the O Romeo team never approached the Hussain Ustara family for consent or creative input. Sanober said the family had stayed away from public attention for years and was not stepping forward for financial gain or visibility, but to protect Hussain Ustara’s life story.
Sanober added that once talk spread about O Romeo being based on Hussain Ustara, their quiet life changed. She said relatives received frequent calls, messages and videos from strangers, asking questions about the film and about their past, which the family experienced as harassment.
O Romeo release, cast and Hussain Ustara connections
While the dispute continues, O Romeo remains scheduled for a theatrical release on 13 February 2026. The ensemble cast features several well-known Hindi film names, including Shahid Kapoor in the lead, alongside actors linked with both mainstream and streaming projects.
| Film | Release date | Key cast |
|---|---|---|
| O Romeo | 13 February 2026 | Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Vikrant Massey, Avinash Tiwary, Disha Patani |
For now, Sanober Shaikh wants a pre-screening of O Romeo, a public clarification that no threats were made, and an accurate portrayal of Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi. The family plans to continue the legal route, while the film’s release date and cast line-up stay unchanged.