O’Romeo: Shahid Kapoor becomes a Kabir Singh-coded Romeo in Vishal Bhardwaj’s violent tale of unrequited love. Watch

Shahid Kapoor has once again teamed up with Vishal Bhardwaj, this time for a gritty and violent take on unrequited love, where he steps into the role of a Romeo in the most literal sense. Titled O’Romeo, the makers unveiled the first look of the film on Saturday morning, offering a glimpse of Shahid as a dreaded gangster, where aggression and instinctive violence seem to define his character.

The 1-minute 35-second promo opens with Shahid chilling on what appears to be a yacht, channelling a fierce, almost Kabir Singh-like intensity as he curses, “Who the f**k is messing with me?” The scene quickly escalates, introducing his character surrounded by his gang, laughing while firing guns and slashing at enemies with abandon. Breaking the fourth wall, he challenges viewers directly: “Is there any other warrior left?” Beyond Shahid, Vishal offers glimpses of a solid ensemble cast. Nana Patekar appears with a gun, crooning “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga,” while Vikrant Massey sports long hair and a broken nose, embodying a wide-eyed romantic.

Watch The First Look of O’Romeo Here

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Disha Patani and Tamannaah Bhatia too make fleeting appearances. Avinash Tiwari is introduced as a chiselled and muscled warrior, wielding a sword in an open hall as onlookers cheer. However, the highlight of the first look may well be Farida Jalal, delivering a line steeped in Vishal’s signature poetic darkness: “Rise in love, you are a Romeo. Drown in it, and you are a moron.” The teaser closes with the Juliet of this story, Tripti Dimri as Shahid’s character gazes at her, hinting at love at first sight amid the all violent action.

O’Romeo is slated to release on the Valentine’s Day weekend, February 13, where it will clash with Bejoy Nambiar’s Tu Yaa Main, starring Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor, which also promises to deliver a darkly twisted take on love.