“O Romeo” Sees Strong Advance Booking, Shahid Kapoor Set to Make a Splash in Valentine’s Day Top 10 Openings

Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri’s much-anticipated film “O Romeo” is set to hit theaters this Friday, 13 February 2026. Advance bookings for the film began on Tuesday, and the response has been remarkable. Industry insiders expect the film to secure a place among Bollywood’s top 10 Valentine’s Day openers. Here’s why “O Romeo” is generating so much buzz.

Advance Booking Report: A Promising Start

Shahid Kapoor is back on the big screen with the action-thriller “O Romeo”, co-starring beloved actor Tripti Dimri in the lead role. Advance bookings started on Tuesday, 10 February, and the initial hours already show strong traction. Despite a delayed start in pre-bookings, the film appears poised for a successful opening. Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, “O Romeo” releases at a time when competitors like Sunny Deol’s “Border 2” are losing momentum, Rani Mukerji’s “Mardani 2” has largely finished its run, and “Dhurandhar” has wrapped up its theatrical journey.

Analysts and fans alike have high expectations for “O Romeo” during the Valentine’s weekend. The trailer and songs have already received tremendous response, and with a reported budget of ₹60–65 crore, the film is well-positioned for strong box office performance. According to Sacnilk, by Wednesday morning, pre-bookings for 3,500 shows were underway.

By Wednesday at 9 AM, a total of 16,577 tickets had already been booked in advance, generating a gross collection of ₹38.01 lakh. Including blocked seats, the total pre-release business stands at ₹1.43 crore—a promising figure given that two more days of pre-booking remain. With the competition from “Border 2” weakening, the potential for further growth in ticket sales is significant.

Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj: Recreating Magic

Shahid Kapoor’s transformation in “O Romeo” has resonated with audiences. His reunion with Vishal Bhardwaj, following critically acclaimed films like “Kaminey” and “Haider”, adds a further draw. Fans remember Shahid for his “lover boy” roles, while films such as “Kaminey”, “Haider”, “Udta Punjab”, and 2019’s “Kabir Singh” showcased his versatility, heightening anticipation for this collaboration.

Projected Opening Day Collection

Valentine’s Day releases have historically performed well at the box office, as couples flock to theaters to celebrate the occasion. While “O Romeo” releases a day before Valentine’s Day, it is expected to earn ₹6–8 crore on opening day. If advance bookings surge, collections could potentially rise to ₹9–10 crore.

Shahid Kapoor Eyes a Spot in Valentine’s Top 10 Openers

The record for highest opening on Valentine’s Day belongs to Vicky Kaushal’s “Chhawa” (2025), which earned ₹31.00 crore on 14 February. Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt’s “Gully Boy” (2019) is second with ₹19.40 crore. Shahid’s own “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Ziya” (2024) ranks ninth, with an opening of ₹6.70 crore. With “O Romeo”, Shahid looks poised to set a new benchmark for Valentine’s Day openings.

Bollywood’s Top 10 Valentine’s Day Openings

1. Chhawa (2025) – ₹31.00 crore
2. Gully Boy (2019) – ₹19.40 crore
3. Gunde (2014) – ₹16.10 crore
4. Jolly LLB 2 (2017) – ₹13.20 crore
5. Love Aaj Kal (2020) – ₹12.40 crore
6. Roy (2015) – ₹10.41 crore
7. Padman (2018) – ₹10.26 crore
8. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Ziya (2024) – ₹6.70 crore
9. Special 26 (2013) – ₹7.02 crore
10. Malang (2020) – ₹6.71 crore

An Edge-of-Your-Seat Plot

“O Romeo” is an action-thriller inspired by the untold love story of Hussain Ustra and Sapna Didi from Mumbai’s underworld, drawn from Hussain Zaidi’s book “Mafia Queens of Mumbai”. The film combines high-octane action with a gripping narrative, promising audiences an engaging cinematic experience. Even if opening day collections are modest, positive word-of-mouth could drive further box office success.

Star-Studded Cast Adds Weight

The film boasts a strong ensemble, including Shahid Kapoor, Tripti Dimri, Nana Patekar, Vikrant Massey, Tamanna Bhatia, Avinash Tiwari, Disha Patani, and Farida Jalal. With a compelling story and star power, “O Romeo” is primed to make a significant impact at the theaters, though ultimately, audience reception will determine its success.