Cinema often finds its most powerful stories in real life, and few narratives are as gripping as those drawn from Mumbai’s underworld. Journalist‑author S. Hussain Zaidi’s Mafia Queens of Mumbai has been a treasure trove for filmmakers, offering tales of women who defied odds and carved their names into history. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi brought one such story to the big screen, dazzling audiences with its grandeur and Alia Bhatt’s unforgettable performance. Now, another chapter from the same book is making its way to theaters with Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo, a film that promises to explore the life of Sapna Didi, a woman whose quest for vengeance against Dawood Ibrahim is as dramatic as it is tragic.

While Gangubai Kathiawadi dazzled audiences with its grandeur and Alia Bhatt’s commanding performance, O’Romeo emerges from the same literary roots but takes a very different path. Where Bhansali’s film celebrated resilience and power within Mumbai’s red‑light district, Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming project dives into the darker, revenge‑driven tale of Sapna Didi. Together, the two films highlight how Zaidi’s Mafia Queens of Mumbai continues to inspire filmmakers, each choosing distinct narratives to explore the complex lives of women who shaped the city’s underworld.

Released in February 2022, Gangubai Kathiawadi became a cultural phenomenon. Alia Bhatt’s portrayal of Gangubai earned critical acclaim, and the film was praised for spotlighting a woman’s resilience in a male‑dominated world. Its success reaffirmed the cinematic potential of Zaidi’s stories, paving the way for other adaptations like O’Romeo.

O’Romeo has had a turbulent production history. Initially, the project was envisioned with Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan in the lead roles. However, delays due to Deepika’s Padmaavat controversy, creative differences with director Honey Trehan, and Irrfan Khan’s illness stalled the film. Eventually, Vishal Bhardwaj restructured the project, bringing in Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri as the new leads.

The film has faced multiple controversies. Most recently, the daughter of slain gangster Hussain Ustara served a legal notice to the makers, demanding ₹2 crore in damages and a halt to the release, alleging that the film negatively portrays her family. This legal battle added to the long list of challenges the film has endured.

After years of delays and controversies, O’Romeo is finally scheduled to release on February 13, 2026.