In a major setback to the family of late Mumbai resident Hussain Ustara, a sessions court in Maharashtra has refused to halt the release of Shahid Kapoor-starrer O Romeo, dismissing a plea that claimed the film falsely portrayed Ustara’s life and legacy.
The Mumbai Sessions Court rejected a notice of motion filed by Ustara’s daughter, Sanober Shaikh, who had sought a stay on the film’s release, arguing that it was loosely based on her father’s life and damaged his reputation.
COURT REFUSES STAY ON FILM RELEASE
Dismissing the plea, Additional Sessions Judge HC Shende said, “The Notice of Motion is dismissed. It is clarified that the observations made in the order are prima facie in nature and shall not influence on the final adjudication of the suit.”
With the order, the makers of O Romeo have received legal clearance to proceed with the release scheduled for February 13.
The main suit filed by Shaikh through advocate DV Saroj will now be heard on March 12.
However, sources said she is likely to challenge the dismissal before the Bombay High Court.
DAUGHTER SOUGHT PRE-SCREENING OF FILM
The suit and notice of motion were filed seeking to restrain the release of the film and demanding a pre-screening.
Shaikh had urged the court to appoint a court commissioner or any independent authority to watch the film and submit a report before its public release.
The case has been filed against filmmakers Sajid Nadiadwala and Vishal Bhardwaj, along with the writer of the book from which the film is said to have drawn inspiration.
CLAIM: FATHER WAS JOURNALIST AND POLICE ASSET
In her petition, Shaikh claimed that her father was not a gangster, as suggested in the film’s trailer, but a journalist who assisted government agencies.
She said Ustara worked closely with the police and the Intelligence Bureau to prevent crimes across India, particularly in Mumbai.
“Due to these activities, his life was constantly in danger,” the suit said, adding that he had applied for a bullet-proof jacket and received approval from the Commissioner of Police’s office through a letter dated August 4, 1994.
ALLEGATIONS OF RIVALRY WITH DAWOOD IBRAHIM
The suit also detailed Ustara’s alleged conflict with Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company.
According to the petition, Ustara had openly defied the gang and was regarded as a “loose cannon” capable of disrupting its operations.
His elimination, the suit claimed, was meant to reassert Dawood’s dominance.
“The Plaintiff further states that her father was killed because he posed a threat to Dawood Ibrahim’s gang, and that his murder was planned and executed by Dawood Ibrahim’s close associates, including Chhota Shakeel,” the petition said.
It further alleged that Ustara had been acting as an informant for Mumbai Police and supplying intelligence against the gang.
He was murdered on September 11, 1998, the suit said.
FORMER ENCOUNTER SPECIALIST’S REMARKS CITED
Shaikh’s petition also referred to interviews of former Mumbai Police encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, in which he reportedly said that while the film was portrayed as fictional, its core narrative was inspired by real-life incidents linked to Hussain Ustara.
The suit argued that while Sharma described Ustara as a police asset, the film’s trailer created the impression that he was a gangster.
“The release of the movie containing false portrayal would have a serious implication on the plaintiff’s family members,” the petition said.
LEGAL BATTLE TO CONTINUE
With the notice of motion dismissed, the film’s release is no longer legally blocked.
However, the civil suit challenging the portrayal of Ustara remains pending and will be heard in March.
Legal observers said the case could now move to the High Court, setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle between the family and the filmmakers over the depiction of a controversial figure from Mumbai’s past.
– Ends
Published By:
Sonali Verma
Published On:
Feb 8, 2026
