Shahid Kapoor’s next with Vishal Bhardwaj, ‘O Romeo’, spotlights not just romance but the unyielding power of women, embodied by Farida Jalal’s pivotal role. The filmmaker shared insights into his casting philosophy during a recent interview, emphasizing why veterans like Jalal are irreplaceable.
Bhardwaj passionately stated, ‘I’ve always believed women outmatch men in strength. They manage crises independently, while men seek shoulders to cry on.’ Childhood anecdotes fueled this conviction: his aunt and dadi were neighborhood legends. ‘Late-night troublemakers from the mohalla vanished at my aunt’s mere reprimand,’ he reminisced.
He approached Farida candidly about the role’s bold vernacular, which she embraced seamlessly. In the narrative, Shahid portrays an intimidating persona tamed solely by his dadi’s authority—Farida delivers it with raw emotion and precision.
On the film’s unfiltered style, Bhardwaj remarked, ‘Love stories thrive on truth. Society shrugs at roadside expletives yet polices cinema. Films must hold up our mirror to reality.’ Featuring Tripti Dimri, Nana Patekar, Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia, Aruna Irani, and Avinash Tiwari, ‘O Romeo’ gears up for a theatrical release that could redefine romantic cinema.