A new legal controversy has emerged in Bollywood over Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming film ‘O’Romeo’, starring Shahid Kapoor. Sanober Shaikh, daughter of the late Hussain Ustara, has approached the court to block the release of the film. She claims that the movie depicts her father’s life without the family’s consent.
Legal Action Filed Against Makers
Sanober Shaikh has filed a case against producer Sajid Nadiadwala, director Vishal Bhardwaj, and author Hussain Zaidi. In her petition, she requests the court to stop the film from being released under the title ‘O’Romeo’ or any other name. The plea seeks a permanent and temporary injunction, preventing the film from being released in theatres or on any OTT platform until the legal dispute is resolved.
She has also requested a pre-screening of the film, with a court-appointed officer examining the content and submitting a detailed report. The petition additionally asks for legal costs and any other directions the court may consider necessary.
Controversy Sparked by Teaser
The controversy began after the teaser of ‘O’Romeo’ was released. Sanober claims the movie is inspired by her late father’s life, but no permission was taken from the family. Her lawyer sent a legal notice to Sajid Nadiadwala and Vishal Bhardwaj demanding clarification and restraint.
The makers of ‘O’Romeo’ have denied the allegations. Vishal Bhardwaj stated that the film is inspired by a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’, for which the necessary rights were obtained. He emphasized that the story is not a direct portrayal of Hussain Ustara’s life.
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Sanober Challenges Author’s Consent Claims
Sanober Shaikh, however, disputes this claim. She told the media that the family was unaware of the book’s release and the content about her father. She stated, “We did not even know when the book was released. We became aware much later through Hussain Zaidi’s social media posts.” She also accused Zaidi of distorting facts for personal gain, claiming that several events mentioned in the book “never even happened.”
Focus on Consent and Adaptation
The case has highlighted important issues around authorship rights, consent, and cinematic adaptation. With the court petition in progress, the release of ‘O’Romeo’ remains uncertain. Bollywood insiders are closely watching how the dispute unfolds, as it raises questions about the responsibilities of filmmakers when adapting real-life stories for the big screen.
This ongoing legal battle ensures that Vishal Bhardwaj, Shahid Kapoor, and the production team are in the spotlight, not only for their creative work but also for handling consent and ethical storytelling in Indian cinema.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
