In a significant legal relief for the manufacturers of o’romeoA Mumbai sessions court has refused to stay the release of a Shahid Kapoor starrer, dismissing a plea by the family of late Mumbai resident Hussain Ustara, who claimed that his life has been wrongly portrayed in the film and his reputation has been damaged.
Mumbai court refuses to stop the release of Shahid Kapoor starrer O’Romeo
The Mumbai Sessions Court rejected the notice of petition filed by Ustara’s daughter, Sanobar Shaikh, who had sought to stop the release of the film on the grounds that it was based on her father’s life and portrayed him as a gangster. With the dismissal, the film has now been cleared for release scheduled for February 13.
Dismissing the petition, Additional Sessions Judge HC Shende made it clear that the court’s observations will have no impact on the ongoing civil proceedings. “The notice of motion is dismissed. It is clarified that the observations made in the order are prima facie in nature and will not affect the final decision of the case,” the judge said.
What was claimed in the petition
Sheikh, through his lawyer DV Saroj, argued that the film’s trailer created a misleading impression about his father as a criminal, which he said was contrary to his real-life role. The petition claimed that Hussain Ustara was a journalist and police asset who worked closely with the Mumbai Police and the Intelligence Bureau to prevent criminal activities across India.
“Due to these activities, his life was in constant danger,” the suit said. It added that Ustara had also applied for a bullet-proof jacket and received approval from the office of the police commissioner through a letter dated August 4, 1994.
The petition seeks a stay on the release of the film and also demands pre-screening of the film by a court-appointed commissioner or an independent authority before releasing it to the public.
Allegations related to Dawood Ibrahim’s gang
The petition details Ustara’s alleged rivalry with Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company, claiming that it openly opposed the gang and was seen as a disruptive force.
“Plaintiff further alleges that his father was murdered because he was a threat to Dawood Ibrahim’s gang and that his murder was planned and executed by close associates of Dawood Ibrahim, including Chhota Shakeel,” the lawsuit said.
According to the petition, Ustara was working as an informer for the Mumbai Police and was providing intelligence against the gang. He was assassinated on 11 September 1998.
Comments of former police officer referred to
Sheikh’s petition also cited the interview of former Mumbai Police encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, in which he had reportedly said that o’romeo Presented as a fictional story, its basic narrative was inspired by real-life events involving Hussain Ustara.
The lawsuit argued that while Sharma described Ustara as police property, the film’s trailer suggested otherwise. “The release of the film with the inaccurate portrayal will have a serious impact on the plaintiff’s family members,” the plea said.
Legal battle continues
Although the notice of motion seeking an immediate stay has been dismissed, the main civil suit remains pending and is scheduled to be heard on March 12. Sources indicated that Shaikh is likely to challenge the sessions court order before the Bombay High Court.
