Vishal Bhardwaj has answered questions regarding his upcoming film O’Romeo after the teaser of the project drew attention for being “based on true events”. The filmmaker addressed concerns about whether consent was sought from the family of late Mumbai gangster Hussain Sheikh, also known as Hussain Ustara, whose life is referenced in the film.

The matter gained momentum and Hussain Ustara’s daughter Sanobar Shaikh sent a legal notice to the makers. o’romeoDemanded Rs 1 crore as compensation and a delay in the release of the film. He alleged that the film was based on his father’s life and was made without the consent of the family.

Addressing the matter at the film’s trailer launch, Vishal Bhardwaj clarified that O’Romeo is adapted from a published literary work and he has legally acquired the rights to the story. “Actually, as I said, there’s a book called Mafia queen of Mumbai, Which has been written by Hussain Zaidi. I took the rights of that story and made a film on it based on those rights,” said Bhardwaj.

Explaining why he did not take permission from Hussain Ustara’s family, the director said, “I didn’t think of taking permission because the story is taken from there and the characters are based on it. However, there is a lot of imagination in it too. As far as permission is concerned, it is something that Hussain Zaidi would have taken or should have taken. I didn’t think I needed to take any permission, because it is based on a story which is part of a book.”

Watch the trailer of the film here:

Bhardwaj’s comments make it clear what the makers think o’romeo Not as an authorized biopic but as a fictional narrative inspired by real events documented in literature. While the teaser acknowledges its roots in true events, the director has stated that the film takes considerable creative liberties in its depiction of characters and situations.