Why Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia worked for free in O'Romeo: Read here
Ahead of O'Romeo's release, Vishal Bhardwaj reveals why Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia worked on the film without charging a fee.
With just days to go before O’Romeo hits theatres, a surprising revelation from director Vishal Bhardwaj has added to the film’s growing buzz. The filmmaker has confirmed that Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia agreed to be part of the project without charging a fee -- purely because they believed in the story and trusted his vision.
The disclosure has quickly caught attention, especially given the scale of O’Romeo and the stature of its cast. At a time when star fees dominate industry conversations, Bhardwaj’s revelation offers a rare reminder that conviction and creative loyalty still carry weight in Bollywood.
Why did Vikrant Massey agree to work without pay?
According to Vishal Bhardwaj, Vikrant Massey’s association with O’Romeo goes back several years, to a time when the actor was still finding his footing in the industry. Massey had committed to the film early on, long before the success of 12th Fail turned him into one of the most respected performers of his generation.
Despite his rise, Massey honoured that early promise when Bhardwaj approached him again. The director also shared that Maqbool had been a life-changing film for Massey, inspiring him to pursue acting in the first place. His special appearance in O’Romeo -- shot over eight to nine days -- was, in many ways, a tribute to the filmmaker who influenced his journey.
What role does Tamannaah Bhatia play in the film?
Tamannaah Bhatia’s decision was equally driven by faith in the project. Bhardwaj revealed that she agreed to join O’Romeo without charging “a single penny”, despite the film operating within tight budget considerations.
Although her screen time is limited, her character is crucial to a major plot turn. What began as a brief role soon expanded, with Tamannaah spending nearly 12 days on set. She also participated in workshops and rehearsals, a commitment Bhardwaj described as generous and deeply impactful for the film.
How big is O’Romeo as a project?
Backed by Sajid Nadiadwala, O’Romeo is mounted on an estimated budget of Rs 75–80 crore and is considered one of Vishal Bhardwaj’s most ambitious films to date. Featuring Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Nana Patekar, Farida Jalal and Disha Patani, the film needs to cross Rs 100 crore at the box office to be deemed a hit.
O’Romeo is slated for a theatrical release on February 13, 2026.
With just days to go before O’Romeo hits theatres, a surprising revelation from director Vishal Bhardwaj has added to the film’s growing buzz. The filmmaker has confirmed that Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia agreed to be part of the project without charging a fee -- purely because they believed in the story and trusted his vision.
The disclosure has quickly caught attention, especially given the scale of O’Romeo and the stature of its cast. At a time when star fees dominate industry conversations, Bhardwaj’s revelation offers a rare reminder that conviction and creative loyalty still carry weight in Bollywood.
Why did Vikrant Massey agree to work without pay?
According to Vishal Bhardwaj, Vikrant Massey’s association with O’Romeo goes back several years, to a time when the actor was still finding his footing in the industry. Massey had committed to the film early on, long before the success of 12th Fail turned him into one of the most respected performers of his generation.
Despite his rise, Massey honoured that early promise when Bhardwaj approached him again. The director also shared that Maqbool had been a life-changing film for Massey, inspiring him to pursue acting in the first place. His special appearance in O’Romeo -- shot over eight to nine days -- was, in many ways, a tribute to the filmmaker who influenced his journey.
What role does Tamannaah Bhatia play in the film?
Tamannaah Bhatia’s decision was equally driven by faith in the project. Bhardwaj revealed that she agreed to join O’Romeo without charging “a single penny”, despite the film operating within tight budget considerations.
Although her screen time is limited, her character is crucial to a major plot turn. What began as a brief role soon expanded, with Tamannaah spending nearly 12 days on set. She also participated in workshops and rehearsals, a commitment Bhardwaj described as generous and deeply impactful for the film.
How big is O’Romeo as a project?
Backed by Sajid Nadiadwala, O’Romeo is mounted on an estimated budget of Rs 75–80 crore and is considered one of Vishal Bhardwaj’s most ambitious films to date. Featuring Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Nana Patekar, Farida Jalal and Disha Patani, the film needs to cross Rs 100 crore at the box office to be deemed a hit.
O’Romeo is slated for a theatrical release on February 13, 2026.