Excitement is building around Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘O Romeo’, a high-stakes romantic drama releasing February 13. What’s making headlines isn’t just the star-studded cast or the massive budget—it’s the stunning disclosure that Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia worked entirely for free. Bhardwaj, the visionary behind the film, opened up about this extraordinary gesture of support from his actors.
The movie features Shahid Kapoor as the notorious mafia queen Hussain Ustra from Hussain Zaidi’s explosive book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’. Triptii Dimri embodies Sapna, with key roles by Avinash Tiwary, Nana Patekar, Farida Jalal, Disha Patani, and special appearances that elevate the drama. Vikrant’s cameo and Tamannaah’s twist-bringing role stand out for their zero-fee involvement.
Bhardwaj recounted how Vikrant, fresh from ’12th Fail’ glory, stuck to a promise made years ago during his early career struggles. ‘Maqbool’ had ignited his passion for cinema, leading him to commit to this project sight unseen. His 8-9 day shoot packs a punch, integral to the film’s heartbeat.
Tamannaah’s story is equally inspiring. Spotting the script’s potential, she signed on immediately sans pay. Her compact yet explosive character drives a game-changing plot development. She poured extra effort into rehearsals and shot for nearly two weeks, showcasing professionalism that Bhardwaj lauded effusively.
Backed by a 75-80 crore investment from Nadiodwala Grandson, ‘O Romeo’ is poised for success with pre-sold digital and TV rights. This tale of love amid mafia shadows blends passion, betrayal, and redemption. Bhardwaj’s track record suggests ‘O Romeo’ could redefine Bollywood’s adaptation game, proving that passion often trumps paychecks in true filmmaking.