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.

The Wednesday box office witnessed steady but slowing numbers for two major Hindi releases — Rani Mukerji’s Mardaani 3 and Sunny Deol’s Border 2. While Mardaani 3 inches closer to the ₹40 crore mark after nearly two weeks in theatres, Border 2 continues its strong overall run despite a noticeable midweek dip.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of their Day 13 and Day 20 collections respectively.

Mardaani 3 Day 13 Box Office Collection

Rani Mukerji’s crime thriller earned ₹1.10 crore on its second Wednesday (Day 13), taking its total India net collection to ₹39.80 crore, according to industry tracker Sacnilk.

The film opened with ₹4 crore on Day 1 and saw a strong jump of 56.25% on Day 2, collecting ₹6.25 crore. Its highest single-day collection came on the first Sunday, when it minted ₹7.25 crore.

However, the film has slowed considerably in its second week, with daily earnings dropping to single digits. Despite positive word-of-mouth in urban centres, Mardaani 3 is facing stiff competition and limited mass pull.

Key Highlights:

• Opening Day: ₹4 crore
• First Sunday Peak: ₹7.25 crore
• Day 13 Collection: ₹1.10 crore
• Total India Net: ₹39.80 crore

Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, the film also stars Janki Bodiwala and Mallika Prasad in key roles. The film now needs a steady second weekend hold to comfortably cross the ₹40 crore milestone.

Border 2 Box Office Collection Day 20

Sunny Deol’s war drama Border 2 registered a drop on its 20th day. After earning ₹2.5 crore on Tuesday, the film collected ₹1.75 crore on Wednesday (Day 20).

Despite the midweek slowdown, the film’s total India net collection stands at a strong ₹316 crore.

On the global front, Border 2 has crossed the ₹400 crore mark worldwide, with total collections touching approximately ₹430 crore, making it one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2026 so far.

Key Highlights:

• Day 20 Collection: ₹1.75 crore
• India Net Total: ₹316 crore
• Worldwide Total: ₹430 crore

Directed by Anurag Singh, the film is a spiritual sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border and features Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, and Diljit Dosanjh alongside Sunny Deol.

Box Office Analysis: Where Both Films Stand

📌 Mardaani 3

• Approaching ₹40 crore mark
• Urban-centric appeal
• Dependent on word-of-mouth
• Needs strong weekend push

📌 Border 2

• Already a commercial success
• Sustaining well in its third week
• Strong overseas performance
• Midweek drops are natural at this stage

While Mardaani 3 aims to stabilize its second-week performance, Border 2 continues to capitalize on patriotic appeal and franchise nostalgia.

With no major blockbuster releases this week, both films may continue to hold screens — but weekend numbers will determine their long-term trajectory.

Netflix’s beloved period drama Bridgerton continues to dominate online conversations as anticipation builds for Season 4 Part 2. After splitting the fourth season into two parts, the streaming giant has now dropped a brand-new promotional poster, giving fans a glimpse of the much-awaited romance between Sophie Baek and Benedict Bridgerton.

Season 4 Part 1 premiered on January 29, 2026, consisting of four episodes. With the second half set to arrive later this month, excitement has reached a fever pitch among fans of the Regency-era romance.

Netflix Drops New Poster Ahead of Season 4 Part 2

The newly released poster shows Sophie Baek and Benedict Bridgerton standing intimately beside a serene lake. The pair are seen gazing into each other’s eyes, with Benedict gently holding Sophie’s chin while she rests her hand on his chest—an image that perfectly captures the slow-burn romance teased throughout the season.

Both characters are dressed in elegant Regency-era costumes, reinforcing the show’s signature blend of historical aesthetics and emotional storytelling.

Sharing the poster on Instagram, Netflix’s official Bridgerton handle @bridgertonnetflix captioned it:

“Change is coming, dear readers. Prepare yourselves. Bridgerton Season 4 returns on February 26.”

The caption alone was enough to send fans into a frenzy.

Fans React: “My Heart Is Full”

Fans quickly flooded the comments section with excitement and emotional reactions. One user wrote, “My heart cannot contain this much excitement.” Another commented, “We are more than prepared! Bring on the BEN-ADDICTION.”

Praising the visual aesthetics, a fan added, “This poster really is stunning!!” The overwhelming response highlights just how invested viewers are in Benedict and Sophie’s love story.

What to Expect From Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2

Season 4 marks a significant shift in focus toward Benedict Bridgerton, with Sophie Baek’s introduction adding emotional depth and social commentary to the narrative. Part 2 is expected to delve deeper into their relationship, addressing themes of identity, class differences, personal freedom, and transformation—elements hinted at by Netflix’s cryptic “Change is coming” message.

Fans can also expect:

• Emotional turning points for Benedict
• High-society drama at balls and soirées
• Consequences of secrets revealed in Part 1
• A more mature, introspective tone compared to earlier seasons

When Will Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 Release in India?

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 will premiere on February 26, 2026, at 12:00 AM PT on Netflix.
For Indian audiences, the show will be available to stream from 1:30 PM IST on the same day.

Extra Notes for Readers & Fans

• Season split strategy: Netflix’s two-part release has helped sustain buzz and deeper audience engagement.
• Benedict’s arc: This season explores Benedict beyond romance, focusing on purpose, art, and self-worth.
• Visual storytelling: The poster’s lake setting symbolizes emotional calm before major upheaval—something long-time Bridgerton fans will recognize as intentional.