The film O Romeo has triggered intense curiosity among viewers who believe it is inspired by real events from Mumbai’s underworld. While the makers have not officially declared it as a biopic, the story closely resembles the lives of Hussain Ustara and Ashraf Khan, also known as Sapna Didi.
Here is the actual story that reportedly inspired the film.
O Romeo Real Story: What Is the Actual Story Behind the Film?
Who Was Hussain Ustara?
Hussain Ustara was a feared gangster from Mumbai’s Nagpada area. As a teenager, he was involved in pickpocketing before becoming known for his razor sharp attacks, which earned him the nickname Ustara.
He built his own network in South Mumbai and refused to align with Dawood Ibrahim when D Company was expanding in the late 1980s. This refusal reportedly made him a target.
The Story of Ashraf Khan, Also Known as Sapna Didi
Ashraf Khan was the wife of Mehmood Khan, a gangster linked to Dawood Ibrahim’s network. After Mehmood was killed in what was described as a police encounter, Ashraf believed Dawood was behind it.
She sought revenge and reportedly approached multiple rivals of Dawood before eventually meeting Hussain Ustara. According to accounts documented in crime books, she wanted to assassinate Dawood Ibrahim.
Hussain Ustara allegedly trained her in handling weapons, self defense, and survival tactics. Their association later developed emotional tension, though reports suggest the relationship eventually broke down.
The Alleged Assassination Plot
One of the most dramatic chapters of this story revolves around an alleged plan to assassinate Dawood Ibrahim during an India Pakistan cricket match in Sharjah. The idea was that Dawood would be present publicly and unarmed.
The plan never materialised. The reasons remain unclear. Some reports suggest intelligence leaks, while others claim internal mistrust disrupted the mission.
The Tragic End
In 1994, Ashraf Khan was reportedly attacked and killed in Mumbai. She was stabbed multiple times.
A few years later, in 1998, Hussain Ustara was shot dead in Nagpada. The killings were widely linked to ongoing underworld rivalries involving D Company.
How O Romeo Connects to This Story
O Romeo appears to adapt this real life rivalry into a dramatic narrative of love, revenge, and betrayal. The film reportedly portrays a gangster who refuses to bow to a larger crime syndicate and becomes emotionally entangled in a revenge mission.
While cinematic liberties are expected, the parallels to Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi’s story are clear to those familiar with Mumbai’s crime history.
Is O Romeo Completely True?
No official statement confirms that O Romeo is a direct biopic. The film seems inspired by real underworld events rather than recreating them exactly.
The real story behind O Romeo is one of ambition, revenge, emotional conflict, and violent power struggles in Mumbai’s underworld during the 1980s and 1990s.