Mumbai, February 12 Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj said on Thursday that his new film, "O'Romeo," made him realize the immense capacity he has for both "love and violence."
The director, known for critically acclaimed hits such as "Maqbool," "Omkara," "Haider," and "Kaminey," said that looking back at his career in cinema, he found a recurring theme of revenge.
"Through this film, I have realized the immense capacity I have for love and violence – together. Looking back at my body of work, I see a recurring theme that I wasn't even consciously aware of: revenge. And at sixty, I am only now beginning to understand it," Bhardwaj said in a statement posted on Instagram.
"There is so much hatred, violence, and injustice in society — and I often feel powerless against it. It wounds me deeply. This pent-up anguish needed release. In 'O'Romeo,' through my protagonist, I slash throats, split skulls, and blow the brains of the monsters I cannot confront in real life," he added.
The director said that this intense force of violence stands in contrast to an equally intense force: love.
"A love born from a lifetime of encounters with beautiful, sensitive souls who have shaped me. A love that did not let me drown. A love that pulled me out of the pool of blood. I am in love with this species called humans – forever torn between two extreme emotions. 'O'Romeo' is the manifestation of these polarities," he added.
"O' Romeo," which is set to be released in theaters on Friday, is inspired by a chapter of author Hussain Zaidi's book "Mafia Queens of Mumbai" and tells the gripping tale of gangster Hussain Ustara, played by Shahid Kapoor.
The movie's star-studded cast also includes Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, and Disha Patani, with Vikrant Massey making a special appearance.
Bhardwaj said the film is as massy, artistic, violent, poetic, loving, and vengeful as he could be.
"This journey has ended on such a beautiful note that these feelings must be shared — regardless of the outcome," said the 60-year-old, who is often credited as one of the most original cinematic voices in Hindi cinema for his Indian adaptations of Shakespeare's tragedies "Macbeth," "Othello," and "Hamlet," as well as films such as "Makdee," "The Blue Umbrella," "Saat Khoon Maaf" and "Khufiya."
Bhardwaj said he wanted to write about his feelings before critics and audiences passed their judgment on the movie, which will be released in theaters tomorrow.
The filmmaker also wanted to thank "the real heroes" of the movie – his team in different departments that worked to fulfill his vision.
"Before the critics speak and before the box office delivers its verdict, I feel compelled to share how deeply proud I am of this film. Before the accolades or the criticism arrive, I must thank, from the deepest part of my being, all my HODs who gave far more than was ever asked of them..."
He ended the note with a couplet from Basheer Badr, which roughly translates as: "Morning has arrived, open your eyes, wear your clothes and shoes and start thinking about the city that is to come next".
"O'Romeo" is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala's under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment.
