but rather a work of fiction with the required prominent disclaimer included in the film. A Mumbai court has refused to suspend the release of the film.
On Friday, a Mumbai court denied a stay of the release of O'Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and starring Shahid Kapoor [Sanober Shaikh v. Sajid Nadiadwala & Ors.].
Sanober Shaikh, the daughter of late journalist and encounter informer Hussain Shaikh, also known as Hussain Ustara, filed an interim plea to the Mumbai City Civil Court to prevent the film's publication, but it was denied.
The Shaikh filed an interim application against director Vishal Bhardwaj, producer Sajid Nadiadwala's business, and other film-related parties.
On February 13, the Shahid Kapoor film is scheduled to be released in theaters.
Additional Sessions Judge HC Shende explained that his findings are preliminary and would not affect the suit's ultimate decision. The case has been postponed until March 12 in order for the defendants to submit a written statement.
Sanober Shaikh asserted that the film, which is a biography based on her father's life, had stolen his identity and disparaged him without his permission. She requested a pre-screening of the movie and asked the court to halt its release until her lawsuit was resolved.
She claimed that because the movie was based on her father's life as it was described in the book "Mafia: Queens of Mumbai," it would infringe upon the deceased's and his family's rights to privacy, reputation, and personality.
Bhardwaj described the lawsuit as "false, frivolous, vexatious, and misconceived" in a thorough affidavit submitted on February 6.
He brought up preliminary objections to the producing company's non-joinder, lack of locus standi, and egregious tardiness in filing the case. He clarified that there had been extensive media coverage of the film's announcement in December 2024 and its completion in August 2025.
Bhardwaj asserted, "The plaintiff's current lawsuit is nothing more than a coercive strategy to put pressure on the film's owners to obtain a monetary settlement at the last minute prior to the film's release."
He cited Shaikh's repeated legal letters for ₹2–5 crores for purported privacy and personality rights violations, indicating that Shaikh viewed monetary compensation as a sufficient remedy.
A large disclaimer saying that any resemblance to real people, alive or dead, was completely coincidental further reinforced Bhardwaj's point that O'Romeo is a work of fiction rather than a biography, influenced only by concepts from the novel.
It was further argued that personality, privacy, and defamation claims do not survive an individual's death under established law.
Furthermore, while the more than ten years that the 2011 book "Mafia Queens of Mumbai" was in print, neither the deceased nor his daughter ever contested it.
The movie can now be released while the lawsuit is still pending in court because the interim plea has been rejected.
Vishal Bharadwaj was represented by advocates Ashvin Bhalekar and Rishi Bhuta, who were briefed by Saikrishna and Associates.
Sajid Naidadwalala was represented by advocate Ravindra Sruyavanshi, who was briefed by Bar and Brief Attorneys.
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