Well, that escalated quickly. Just a day after audiences began rating O Romeo online, the film’s review section quietly disappeared from BookMyShow, replaced by a notice citing a court directive.
The crime
thriller, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and headlined by Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, hit theatres this weekend to largely positive critical reception, though some reviews were mixed. On BookMyShow, the film initially carried an audience rating of 6.8, a score considered modest for a major Hindi release. By Saturday, the rating had inched up to 7 before vanishing from the platform later that day.
Visitors to the film’s page can still view its trailer and see that more than 100,000 users have marked themselves as interested. However, the ratings and written audience reviews are no longer visible. In their place is a brief message stating that “reviews and ratings disabled as per court order.”
Neither BookMyShow nor the film’s producers have issued a public clarification regarding the legal grounds for the move. Further details are awaited.
Industry observers note that this appears to be the first instance of a Hindi-language film approaching the courts to seek removal of audience ratings from a digital ticketing platform. The development comes at a time when allegations of “review bombing” — coordinated attempts to lower a film’s public score online — have become more frequent. At the same time, there have also been claims in the industry about artificial inflation of ratings through fabricated positive reviews.
O Romeo features an ensemble cast that includes Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia, Avinash Tiwary, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal and Nana Patekar, among others. According to the makers, the film revolves around an intense and emotionally charged storyline that examines love, heartbreak and the lasting impact of choices made in moments of passion.
The narrative draws inspiration from a chapter in author Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai.
Critically, the film has received mixed reviews. News18.com awarded it 4 out of 5 stars. A part of the review read, “O’Romeo reunites Vishal Bhardwaj with Shahid Kapoor- a lethal combination that has proved its mettle time and again. This film is no exception. The film commands your attention right from the start. Vishal Bhardwaj takes his time to build Ustara’s world, and Shahid Kapoor does justice to his vision. This is Shahid Kapoor in top form. Shahid’s Ustara is layered with danger, humour, charm and wit. But there are often reminders that, before all the sharp dialogue and bravado, he is a criminal. Shahid, who is no stranger to the genre, essays this role with blade-sharp conviction. He commands attention on screen and is an obvious delight to watch in the dance sequences.”
