28,000 Tickets and Counting: Is O’Romeo Set to Become the Biggest Valentine’s Opener of 2026?
Everyone is talking about the “reunion of the decade” with Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj, but the real story isn’t just about their creative chemistry—it’s about the hard, cold cash hitting the counters today, 11 February 2026, in Mumbai.
While some critics were skeptical about a dark action-thriller releasing during the “week of love,” the audience in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Maharashtra is sending a loud and clear message. Is Shahid finally ready to deliver the solo double-digit opening that has eluded him recently?
The Current Scorecard: ₹1.83 Crore and Rising!
The ticket windows for O’Romeo opened on Tuesday, February 10, and the momentum has been building at a steady pace.
As of Wednesday evening, the film has managed to rake in approximately ₹1.83 Crore in gross collections when you factor in the blocked seats. If we look at pure pre-sales (excluding those pesky block seats), the number stands around ₹38.96 Lakh across the country.
The film has already sold over 28,179 tickets for its opening day this Friday, February 13. While these aren’t “Pathaan” or “Border 2” levels of madness, they show a “strong start” for a film mounted on a mid-range budget of ₹60-75 Crore.
In fact, the National Capital Region (NCR) is currently the powerhouse for this release, recording the highest gross collection of nearly ₹30.92 Lakh (including block seats).
The “Sajid Nadiadwala” Factor: A Masterclass in Hype
According to Sacnilk, the industry tracker that keeps everyone on their toes, the film is performing exceptionally well in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, where several shows are already nearing full occupancy.
This isn’t just luck; it’s the “Sajid Nadiadwala” touch. By releasing four hit songs like “Ishq Ka Fever” and the retro-vibey “Paan Ki Dukaan,” the makers have ensured that the “subconscious mind” of the Indian moviegoer is primed for a theatrical experience.
Interestingly, the film is witnessing a unique “pattern interruption” in its casting. Vikrant Massey and Tamannaah Bhatia reportedly took zero fees to be part of this project, purely out of respect for Vishal Bhardwaj’s vision. This kind of industry support creates a “social proof” that the content is high-quality, which often translates into better walk-ins on the actual release day.
Can O’Romeo Beat the Valentine’s Curse?
As per Bollywood Life, the real test for O’Romeo will be whether it can outpace recent hits like Shahid’s own Deva, which saw ₹3.29 Crore in pre-sales. Currently, O’Romeo is trailing slightly behind, but the “sense of urgency” is expected to kick in tomorrow as we head into the final 24 hours before the first show.
The film faces stiff competition from Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor’s Tu Yaa Main, but with a wider screen count and the Shahid-Vishal brand value, it holds the upper hand. Analysts are predicting an opening day in the range of ₹4 Crore to ₹7 Crore, with the potential to spike if the reviews are glowing.
Why You Should Care About These Numbers
Box office numbers are more than just math; they are a “neural coupling” of audience expectations and reality. If O’Romeo hits the ₹6 Crore mark on Friday, it will secure a spot in the Top 10 Valentine’s openers in Bollywood history. For Shahid Kapoor, a “hit” here would mean a career revival that could put him in the running for massive projects like Don 3.
The “Dopamine Gap” here is huge—fans are expecting a Haider-level performance with a Kaminey-style swagger. If Vishal Bhardwaj delivers that, the “word of mouth” will take this film to the moon.
O’Romeo is showing “promising growth,” proving that dark content can still thrive during romance-heavy Valentine’s weeks if the star power is right.
My Take
Original Source: First reported and confirmed by India TV News.
A question for You: Will you be watching Shahid’s dark avatar as “Ustara” this Friday, or are you waiting for the reviews first? Drop your predictions below!
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