Shahid vs. Kabir Singh: Fans debate—is “Ustara” in O Romeo more toxic than Kabir Singh?
Everyone is talking about how Shahid Kapoor has finally returned to his “angry young man” roots, but the real story is that he might have just created a character so dark that even Kabir Singh would be scared to look him in the eye. It is Friday, 13 February 2026, and the theaters in Mumbai are not just playing a movie; they are hosting a full-blown cultural debate.
Just when you thought the conversation around “toxic masculinity” in Indian cinema had peaked, O Romeo has entered the chat and thrown a straight razor into the mix.
The First Day First Show (FDFS) crowd has spoken, and the internet is currently on fire. The big question dominating every social media platform is simple: Is Hussain Ustara more toxic than Kabir Singh?
We all remember the 2019 storm when Shahid played the heartbroken, self-destructing surgeon who didn’t understand the word “no.” But Ustara is a different beast altogether. He doesn’t just drink and mope; he lives in the shadows of the 90s underworld, using a razor to carve his path through life.
The mood in the industry right now is one of shock and awe. Many expected a standard gangster flick, but Vishal Bhardwaj has delivered something far more complex and, frankly, far more disturbing.
While Kabir Singh was a product of obsession and heartbreak, Hussain Ustara feels like a product of pure, unadulterated trauma. He is cold, he is calculated, and he is undeniably violent.
The long, descriptive sequences of him grooming himself before a “hit” are being compared to a predator preparing for a hunt, making the audience wonder if they should be rooting for him or running away.
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According to a deep-dive report by India Today, the character of Ustara—based on the real-life figure from Hussain Zaidi’s chronicles—is being hailed as a “masterclass in menace.”
The source notes that while Kabir wore his heart on his sleeve, Ustara keeps his emotions locked behind a wall of steel and sharp edges. This internal “pressure cooker” vibe is what makes him so much more unpredictable.
One moment he is reciting poetry to Triptii Dimri’s character, and the next, he is engaging in a bloody street fight that leaves the screen painted red.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) are already splitting into two camps. One side argues that Kabir Singh was more toxic because his actions were rooted in a domestic setting, making them feel “too real” for comfort.
The other side claims that Ustara represents a higher level of “danger” because he has zero regard for human life, including his own. It’s the classic debate of “The Angry Lover” versus “The Professional Killer,” and Shahid Kapoor is playing both sides of the coin with terrifying precision.
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As per a viral thread on Reddit, many viewers are calling the film “Kabir Singh on Steroids.” The thread points out that while Kabir at least had a medical degree and a family that cared, Ustara is a lone wolf who has embraced the “darkness.”
This lack of a moral compass is what’s making people uncomfortable. Is it entertainment, or is it glorification? The film doesn’t give you easy answers. It forces you to sit in the discomfort of watching a man lose his humanity piece by piece.
The cinematography by Vishal Bhardwaj’s team adds to this “Toxic Noir” vibe. Every frame is drenched in deep blues and blood reds, creating a world that feels suffocating yet beautiful. It’s that signature Bhardwaj touch—making the most horrible things look like a dream.
Bollywood Hungama confirmed that the film’s “A” rating was well-earned, not just for the violence, but for the “psychological intensity” that Shahid brings to the role. He isn’t just acting; he is haunting the screen.
In the middle of all this “toxicity talk,” the performance of Triptii Dimri is being praised as the perfect foil to Shahid’s madness. She isn’t a silent spectator; she is a catalyst. Their relationship in the film is described as a “dance of death,” where love and war are indistinguishable.
This “Dopamine Gap” between their moments of tenderness and the sudden bursts of underworld violence is what’s keeping the audience hooked till the very last frame.
Let’s get real for a second. Shahid Kapoor is the only actor in India right now who can make “problematic” characters look this compelling. Is Ustara more toxic?
Honestly, yes. Because while Kabir Singh was a man who lost control, Ustara is a man who has given up control. He has embraced his worst instincts. From a cinematic standpoint, this is a massive win because it pushes the boundaries of storytelling. But from a social standpoint, it’s going to spark a million think-pieces.
My advice? Don’t look for a hero in O Romeo. Look for a tragedy. It’s a dark, beautiful, and violent masterpiece that proves Shahid is currently in a league of his own.
Original Source: First reported by Variety India.
Question For You: Who would win in a face-off: the raw rage of Kabir Singh or the cold blade of Hussain Ustara? Let me know in the comments!
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