O’ Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles, is all set to arrive in cinemas in just a few hours. However, the romantic drama has wrapped up its advance booking on a rather underwhelming note, raising concerns about its opening-day performance at the box office.
According to early trade estimates, the film sold approximately 33,000 tickets across the top two national multiplex chains — PVR Inox and Cinepolis — for its first day. Out of this, nearly 27,000 tickets were recorded at PVR Inox alone, with the remaining numbers coming from Cinepolis. Considering the film’s scale, reported budget, and the popularity of its lead pair, these figures are below expectations.
Mounted on a grand canvas and reportedly made on a budget exceeding Rs. 100 crore, O’ Romeo was expected to generate stronger pre-release buzz. The relatively muted advance booking numbers suggest that the film’s promotional campaign may not have resonated as strongly with audiences as anticipated. While the trailer and songs created some conversation, they seemingly failed to translate that interest into substantial ticket pre-sales.
In today’s theatrical landscape, advance bookings often serve as an indicator of a film’s opening-day potential, especially for star-driven projects. For a film headlined by Shahid Kapoor — who has delivered several notable performances in the past — and paired with Triptii Dimri, expectations were naturally higher. The modest pre-sales hint at a cautious audience response heading into release day.
Based on current booking trends and market projections, O’ Romeo is likely to open in the single-digit range. Trade analysts are estimating a day-one collection between Rs. 4 crore and Rs. 7 crore, with a more precise prediction hovering around Rs. 6.50 crore. While not disastrous, this would still be considered a soft start given the film’s reported production and marketing costs.
That said, the real test for O’ Romeo will begin once word of mouth starts circulating. If the film manages to strike an emotional chord with viewers and deliver a compelling cinematic experience, it could witness a positive turnaround over the weekend. Strong audience reception has often proven to be a game-changer, especially for films that begin their journey on a slower note.
Another factor that could work in the film’s favor is Valentine’s Day, which falls close to its release. Given that O’ Romeo is primarily a love story at its core, the romantic season could provide a timely boost to footfalls, particularly among young couples and urban audiences. A favorable response during this period may help the film gain momentum and stabilize its theatrical run.
Financially, the stakes remain high. Despite reportedly securing decent non-theatrical deals — including satellite, digital, and music rights — the film will still need a solid theatrical performance to justify its substantial investment. Recoveries from ancillary rights may offer some cushion, but box office numbers will play a crucial role in determining its overall verdict.
Interestingly, Shahid Kapoor’s previous release, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, had also witnessed similar advance booking trends. However, that film managed to maintain steady collections over time and ultimately emerged as a successful venture. If O’ Romeo can replicate — or surpass — that trajectory through positive word of mouth and consistent weekend growth, it may yet find its footing.
The film also marks the fourth collaboration between Shahid Kapoor and director Vishal Bharadwaj, a duo known for delivering critically acclaimed projects in the past. Whether this latest outing will add another feather to their cap remains to be seen.
As O’ Romeo prepares to face audiences, all eyes are now on its opening-day numbers and the crucial weekend ahead.