After a seven-year hiatus from blockbuster territory, Shahid Kapoor is betting big on ‘O Romeo’ to reclaim his throne. The romantic-action thriller, featuring Triptii Dimri and Avinash Tiwari, exploded into theaters today, boasting adrenaline-pumping stunts and a darker edge that overshadows its love story. Reminiscent of the actor’s career-defining ‘Kabir Singh’, this film arrives amid high stakes for Shahid, whose post-2019 releases have struggled to dazzle at the ticket counters.
‘Kabir Singh’ remains a benchmark, grossing 400 crores worldwide and captivating fans with its unapologetic intensity, even as detractors labeled it problematic. Contrast that with ‘Jersey’ in 2022, a touching sports drama where Shahid portrayed a determined father reviving his cricket dreams via his son. With a budget between 60-95 crores, it earned a mere 30 crores theatrically, pivoting to streaming for salvation and underscoring the challenges of feel-good fare in a post-pandemic market.
Shahid’s OTT venture ‘Bloody Daddy’ promised carnage with its 200 crore outlay but baffled industry insiders by bypassing cinemas. His ferocious performance couldn’t mask the average reception, especially amid whispers of a 40 crore paycheck. The romantic sci-fi ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’ with Kriti Sanon fared better, blending human-robot romance to hit 100-150 crores on a 75 crore budget, qualifying as a modest success before fading.
‘Kabir Singh’ was Shahid’s last true juggernaut, his first massive hit in years. ‘O Romeo’ echoes its violent romance formula, positioning Shahid for potential redemption. As opening weekend numbers roll in, the question looms: can this film shatter his slump and deliver the blockbuster fans crave?