Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri's gripping thriller, O Romeo, released in theaters on February 13th. Shahid plays the dangerous criminal Hussain Ustara. O Romeo is directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, known for films like Haider and Kaminey.

It's billed as a stylish underworld drama and has generated considerable audience interest. Tripti Dimri plays his love interest, Afsha, in the film. However, the makers claim it's a fictional film based on a real-life incident.

Who was Sapna Didi?

Reports suggest that Tripti's character was inspired by Ashraf Khan, also known as Sapna Didi, who allegedly plotted the assassination of Dawood Ibrahim. Hussain Zaidi's "Mafia Queens of Mumbai," which also inspired Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi, is the source of the story for O Romeo.

Who is Hussain Ustara?
Born Hussain Sheikh, Hussain Ustara grew up in Mumbai. According to reports, Hussain became a contract killer after infiltrating the underworld through street fights and protection rackets. Hussain began with small-time, powerful jobs like intimidation, settlement of scores, and protection rackets. Hussain Ustara is also said to have had an alleged rivalry with Dawood Ibrahim.

In the early 1990s, Mumbai lived under the shadow of organized crime. Gang rivalries, extortion networks, and police encounters altered everyday life, while gangster Dawood Ibrahim's dreaded syndicate operated virtually unchecked.

Encounter after meeting Dawood.
Leaving the underworld was hardly an option. Before any recourse could be found, Ustara went to Dubai to meet Dawood Ibrahim. After meeting Dawood, he returned to India but was shot dead outside Mumbai airport.

There was a fierce rivalry between Hussain and Dawood
Hussain and Dawood were at odds because their interests differed, and neither party was willing to bow to the other's leadership. This rivalry escalated into a power struggle, strengthening Ustara's position in the underworld, while Hussain continued to operate independently. It is said that Hussain Ustara died in 1998.

Now that Shahid Kapoor's O Romeo has hit theaters, the story of Hussain Ustara has become popular again. According to The Indian Express, Sapna Didi was seeking to kill Dawood Ibrahim because she believed Dawood had plotted to murder her husband.

What is the story of the film?

In "O'Romeo," Shahid Kapoor plays a dangerous and ruthless hitman. The story takes a turn when he falls in love with a girl named Afsha. The story revolves around Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi, who live in a violent world and experience a different kind of connection.

Is "O'Romeo" fiction or real?

The film's makers have clearly stated that the story is fictional but inspired by real events. However, the film's narrative clearly reflects the lives of Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi.

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