From Sapna Didi to O’Romeo: How Triptii Dimri Replaced Deepika Padukone and Vishal Bharadwaj Reimagined His Shelved Film

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj is back in theatres with his much-anticipated film O’Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri.

While the teaser and trailer of O’Romeo have generated strong buzz online, few may remember that the project has a long and complicated history. Years ago, Bharadwaj had announced a film titled Sapna Didi, which was to star Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan in lead roles.

So what changed? And how did Sapna Didi evolve into O’Romeo?

The Shelved Dream: What Was Sapna Didi?

Sapna Didi was originally conceived as a gritty crime drama inspired by the life of Mumbai underworld figure Rahima Khan. Deepika Padukone was set to play the titular character — an underworld queen seeking revenge — while Irrfan Khan was reportedly cast as gangster Hussain Ustara.

The film had even gone on floors. Deepika and Irrfan had completed part of a shooting schedule before the project stalled.

However, multiple setbacks led to its eventual shelving:

• Irrfan Khan’s deteriorating health
• His untimely demise in 2020
• Reported creative differences during development

The loss of Irrfan, who shared a critically acclaimed on-screen pairing with Deepika in Piku, dealt a major blow to the project.

Actor Pankaj Tripathi had also confirmed in interviews that he was part of Sapna Didi during its early shoot.

Vishal Bharadwaj Breaks His Silence

During the trailer launch of O’Romeo, Vishal Bharadwaj addressed comparisons with Sapna Didi for the first time.

He clarified that while the earlier script existed, O’Romeo is an entirely different film.

“That script and the cast were different, but this is a different film. This film is titled O Romeo. When I first started working on it, I never thought we would have this title. The story evolved, it underwent many changes. This film has nothing to do with the earlier film.”

His statement makes it clear that while Sapna Didi may have laid creative groundwork, O’Romeo is not a revival but a reinvention.

From Deepika to Triptii: A New Casting Era

With Deepika Padukone no longer attached and Irrfan’s irreplaceable absence, Bharadwaj reshaped the narrative.

Enter Triptii Dimri — one of the most talked-about actresses in recent years — stepping into the female lead role opposite Shahid Kapoor.

The casting shift also signals a tonal evolution:

• Sapna Didi was rooted in a real-life underworld backdrop.
• O’Romeo appears to blend crime, romance, and dramatic intensity with a more stylised approach.

Shahid Kapoor’s collaboration with Vishal Bharadwaj is also notable. The duo previously worked together in acclaimed films like Kaminey and Haider, raising expectations for O’Romeo.

All About O’Romeo

O’Romeo features an ensemble cast including:

• Shahid Kapoor
• Triptii Dimri
• Nana Patekar
• Avinash Tiwary
• Tamannaah Bhatia
• Farida Jalal
• Disha Patani
• Vikrant Massey (special appearance)

The film is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and is slated for theatrical release on February 13, 2026.

A Story of Reinvention

The transformation from Sapna Didi to O’Romeo reflects more than just a casting change. It represents:

• A filmmaker adapting to personal and professional loss
• The evolution of a script over nearly seven years
• Bollywood’s ability to reshape unfinished stories into new cinematic journeys

While fans may always wonder what Sapna Didi could have been, O’Romeo now stands as Vishal Bharadwaj’s fresh vision — one shaped by time, change, and reinvention.