The buzz around Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming directorial, O Romeo, is reaching a fever pitch as the film gears up for its theatrical release on February 13, 2026. While the gritty trailer and the fourth collaboration between Shahid Kapoor and Bhardwaj have already grabbed headlines, it is the reported remuneration of the star cast that is now the talk of the town.
From Shahid Kapoor’s career-high paycheck to surprising revelations about actors working for free, here is a breakdown of how much the stars are charging for this underworld action-drama.
Shahid Kapoor Leads the Pack with a Massive Paycheck
Shahid Kapoor, who portrays the ruthless hitman Ustara, has reportedly taken home a whopping ₹45 crore. This figure is not only the highest among the entire cast but is also being cited as the biggest paycheck of Shahid’s career to date. The actor’s intense transformation for this role has been a major highlight of the film’s promotional campaign.
Triptii Dimri and the Supporting Cast Fees
Despite being the female lead and currently one of the most sought-after actresses in Bollywood, Triptii Dimri (playing Afsha) has reportedly been paid ₹6 crore. Interestingly, her fee is slightly lower than that of the film’s antagonist.
Avinash Tiwary, who plays the menacing villain Jalal, reportedly charged ₹7 crore for his performance. Veteran actor Nana Patekar, seen in the role of Ismail Khan, has received ₹4 crore, while Disha Patani was paid ₹2 crore for her special appearance as Julie the dancer.
The Breakdown of Cast Salaries:
| Actor | Character | Reported Fee |
| Shahid Kapoor | Ustara (Lead) | ₹45 Crore |
| Avinash Tiwary | Jalal (Antagonist) | ₹7 Crore |
| Triptii Dimri | Afsha (Lead) | ₹6 Crore |
| Nana Patekar | Ismail Khan | ₹4 Crore |
| Disha Patani | Julie (Dancer) | ₹2 Crore |
Surprising Twist: Actors Who Worked for Free
In a rare move for a big-budget Bollywood production, director Vishal Bhardwaj recently revealed that two prominent stars—Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia—chose not to charge any fee for the film. Driven by their respect for the filmmaker and their belief in the script, both actors joined the project to support the creative vision despite budget constraints.
About ‘O Romeo’
Set against the backdrop of the 1990s Mumbai underworld, O Romeo is inspired by real-life accounts from Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala with a budget estimated between ₹75–80 crore, the film is a dark romantic thriller focusing on the rivalry between gangster Hussain Ustara and the underworld.