Highlights:
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O’Romeo is inspired by real events described in Mafia Queens of Mumbai
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Sapna Didi sought revenge for her husband’s murder
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Hussain Ustara trained her in weapons and combat
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Their alliance collapsed after an act of betrayal
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Both died before achieving their objective
Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming film O’Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, is based on a real story from Mumbai’s criminal history. The film draws from a chapter in journalist Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, which also inspired Gangubai Kathiawadi. O’Romeo focuses on the lives of Sapna Didi and Hussain Ustara, two figures connected by a shared objective to assassinate gangster Dawood Ibrahim. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on February 13, 2026.
The story behind O’Romeo begins in 1986. Sapna Didi was then known as Ashraf. Her husband, Mehmood, was killed in a shootout at an airport. Following his death, Ashraf was informed that Dawood Ibrahim was responsible. This information became the turning point in her life. Grief and anger pushed her toward the underworld, where she began seeking ways to take revenge.
O’Romeo and the Origins of Sapna Didi
Ashraf learned that Hussain Ustara, a man with criminal links, also wanted Dawood Ibrahim dead. She approached him directly and asked him to teach her how to kill. According to accounts in Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Hussain Ustara agreed to help her. He trained her in the use of firearms and later enrolled her in martial arts classes so she could protect herself. Ashraf visited his home regularly for training and was described as a quick learner.
At one stage, Ashraf considered traveling to Dubai to carry out the killing herself. Ustara discouraged the idea and warned her that such an attempt would be far more dangerous than she expected. Despite this, her resolve did not weaken.
O’Romeo and the Role of Hussain Ustara
As portrayed in O’Romeo, Hussain Ustara was not only involved in criminal activity but also acted as a police informer. He concealed this part of his life from Ashraf for a long time. Using his underworld connections, he gathered intelligence on Dawood Ibrahim’s businesses and passed it to the police. In some cases, this information earned him money.
During this period, Ustara developed feelings for Ashraf. Their relationship remained complicated, shaped by secrecy and shared risk. Ashraf, meanwhile, became more deeply involved in the criminal world and decided to change her identity.
O’Romeo and the Rise of Sapna Didi
Ashraf believed that adopting a Hindu-sounding name would make it easier to gain the trust of local gangsters. She renamed herself Sapna, explaining that it was her “dream” to kill Dawood Ibrahim. From then on, she was known as Sapna Didi.
As Sapna Didi, she shifted her strategy. Instead of directly targeting Dawood, she focused on weakening his operations. She built her own network of informers and collected information on illegal dance bars and gambling dens linked to his syndicate. Whenever possible, she passed this information to the crime branch.
Sapna survived two attempts on her life during this period. These incidents pushed her toward greater independence and caution. She continued operating on her own terms, reducing her reliance on Ustara.
O’Romeo and the Breaking Point
Sapna Didi and Hussain Ustara later traveled to Nepal, where Dawood’s network allegedly used routes for arms smuggling and counterfeit currency. During this time, they acknowledged that they cared for each other. Their partnership, however, came to an abrupt end in 1991.
After being chased by goons, Sapna sought shelter at Ustara’s home. According to the account, after initially comforting her, he touched her without consent. When she objected, he blamed her and insulted her. Sapna slapped him, left immediately, and cut off all contact. This incident marked the end of both their personal relationship and their shared mission.
O’Romeo and the Final Outcomes
Sapna Didi never succeeded in killing Dawood Ibrahim. In 1994, she reportedly planned an attack during a cricket match in Sharjah. Before the plan could be carried out, she was killed by Dawood’s men. Hussain Ustara died several years later in 1998.
The story told in O’Romeo presents a factual account of ambition, revenge, and betrayal rooted in real events. Sapna Didi and Hussain Ustara remain figures remembered for their failed attempt to challenge one of India’s most powerful crime bosses. Through O’Romeo, their story reaches a wider audience, offering a restrained portrayal of a violent chapter in Mumbai’s underworld history.
