Just days after hitting theatres, O Romeo has found itself in the middle of an unexpected controversy — and this time, it’s not about box office numbers or critic reviews.
The Vishal Bhardwaj crime thriller, headlined by Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, opened to largely positive critical reception. But its audience score on BookMyShow sparked conversation almost instantly — and then disappeared altogether.
🎟️ Audience Rating Removed Overnight
When O Romeo debuted, it carried an audience rating of 6.8 on BookMyShow — a number many considered modest for a high-profile release. By Saturday, that score had inched up to 7. But later the same day, the rating and all user reviews were suddenly removed.
Now, if you visit the film’s page, you’ll still see interest numbers (crossing 100K at the time of writing), along with the trailer and show listings. However, the reviews section carries a clear note:
“Reviews and ratings disabled as per court order.”
Neither BookMyShow nor the film’s producers have publicly commented on the development yet.
⚖️ A First for Hindi Cinema
This marks the first known instance of a Hindi film seeking legal intervention to remove audience ratings from an online ticketing platform.
The move arrives at a time when “review bombing” has become a growing concern in the industry. Films — particularly high-profile ones — are increasingly targeted by coordinated negative campaigns designed to drag down audience scores on platforms like BookMyShow and IMDb.
At the same time, there have also been accusations in recent years of artificially inflated ratings through fake positive reviews. The digital audience score has quietly become a powerful tool in shaping perception, especially during opening weekend.
So was this a preventive step? A reaction? Or something else entirely? For now, the silence from both sides only adds to the mystery.
🎬 The Film Itself
Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, O Romeo stars Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles. The ensemble cast includes Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia, Avinash Tiwary, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, and Nana Patekar.
Inspired by a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s Mafia Queens of Mumbai, the film dives into a layered world of love, betrayal, crime, and emotional fallout. Bhardwaj’s signature mood-driven storytelling is very much intact — atmospheric visuals, stylised drama, and music composed by the director himself.
According to the Hindustan Times review, the film is described as Bhardwaj’s “massiest” outing yet — visually gripping but uneven in emotional payoff. The music, particularly Paan Ki Dukaan, has been singled out as a standout, with Shahid earning praise for his screen presence and dance moves.
🎭 Bigger Conversation Around Reviews
The sudden removal of ratings raises a broader question: How much influence should online audience scores hold? And who decides when they cross a line?
In today’s opening-weekend-driven market, perception spreads faster than word of mouth. A low score can impact bookings almost instantly. At the same time, transparency in audience feedback has long been seen as part of the digital era’s accountability.
With O Romeo, the industry may be witnessing a new legal precedent.
Final Words
The film may be a crime thriller, but its off-screen drama is quickly becoming just as gripping. Whether the court order was meant to curb manipulation or protect the film’s perception, one thing is clear — the conversation around audience ratings just got a lot more serious.
For now, O Romeo continues its theatrical run — minus the stars next to its name.
