Shahid Kapoor’s latest film ‘O Romeo’ has become one of the most talked-about theatrical releases in India this week, with audiences closely tracking its box office performance across major cities. The romantic drama has opened amid high expectations, driven by the actor’s popularity and strong pre-release buzz.
Trade analysts say the film’s performance in its opening week is being watched carefully, as it reflects current audience trends, the strength of star-driven films, and the state of theatrical footfall in early 2026.
Opening Weekend Performance: A Steady Start
‘O Romeo’ opened to a steady response at the box office, with moderate occupancy levels across most regions. The film saw stronger collections in urban centres and multiplex chains, where Shahid Kapoor has a loyal fan base.
Morning shows started on a slower note in several cities, but occupancy improved during afternoon and evening shows. Weekend footfall increased further, especially in metro cities.
Trade observers describe the opening as stable rather than explosive, with the film relying more on word-of-mouth than opening-day hype.
Performance in Key Metro Cities
Mumbai
Mumbai reported steady collections, particularly in multiplexes. Evening and night shows saw better occupancy compared to morning screenings. The film performed well in premium theatres, where advance bookings were stronger.
Delhi-NCR
In the Delhi-NCR region, the film witnessed moderate turnout on the first day, followed by improved occupancy over the weekend. Urban audiences responded positively to the film’s romantic theme and music.
Bengaluru and Hyderabad
Southern metro cities showed mixed results. While multiplexes in Bengaluru saw decent footfall, Hyderabad reported average occupancy in the initial days. The film’s performance improved slightly over the weekend.
Performance in Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities
In smaller cities, the film recorded average collections, with occupancy levels varying by region. Some centres reported steady weekend growth, while others showed limited interest during weekday shows.
Trade sources note that romantic dramas often depend on urban audiences, which explains the stronger performance in multiplex-heavy markets.
However, certain tier-2 cities showed improved turnout during evening shows, especially on Saturday and Sunday.
Occupancy Trends Across the Week
Box office data indicates a typical trend for a mid-budget romantic film.
- Day 1: Moderate occupancy, especially in metro cities
- Day 2: Noticeable increase due to weekend footfall
- Day 3: Strongest occupancy of the opening weekend
- Weekdays: Slight drop in footfall, mainly in smaller centres
This pattern suggests that the film is following a word-of-mouth-driven trajectory rather than relying solely on opening-day collections.
Role of Word-of-Mouth in Collections
Word-of-mouth is playing a key role in the film’s box office performance. Social media reactions and audience reviews have been mixed to positive, which has helped maintain steady footfall.
In urban markets, audience feedback has contributed to better occupancy during evening shows. Trade analysts say the film’s long-term performance will depend on how strongly word-of-mouth continues over the next two weeks.
Music and Romantic Genre Appeal
The film’s music and romantic theme have also influenced audience interest.
Songs from the film gained popularity before release, helping create pre-release buzz. This has translated into better turnout among younger audiences and couples, especially during weekend shows.
Romantic dramas typically rely on emotional appeal and repeat viewings. If the music continues to trend, the film could benefit from sustained footfall.
Comparison with Shahid Kapoor’s Previous Releases
Compared with Shahid Kapoor’s recent theatrical releases, ‘O Romeo’ appears to have opened on a more modest scale.
Big-budget action or thriller films generally deliver stronger opening numbers, while romantic dramas tend to grow through word-of-mouth.
Trade experts say the film’s performance is more in line with mid-range romantic releases rather than large-scale commercial entertainers.
Competition from Other Releases
The film is also facing competition from other theatrical releases and ongoing OTT content. With multiple entertainment options available, box office performance often depends on audience preferences and reviews.
In some cities, competing films and regional releases have affected show occupancy. However, the romantic genre gives ‘O Romeo’ a distinct audience segment.
Multiplex vs Single-Screen Performance
The film has shown a clear difference in performance between multiplexes and single-screen theatres.
Multiplexes:
Urban centres have reported better occupancy, especially during evening and weekend shows.
Single screens:
Collections have been more modest, with limited footfall in some regions during weekdays.
This pattern is common for urban-focused romantic dramas.
Overseas Box Office Response
Early reports suggest that the film has seen steady turnout in overseas markets with strong Indian diaspora audiences.
Cities with large South Asian populations reported better opening weekend occupancy compared to smaller international markets.
The overseas response is expected to play a role in the film’s overall box office performance.
What the First Week Indicates
The first week’s performance shows that ‘O Romeo’ is relying on steady growth rather than a massive opening.
Key indicators from the first few days include:
- Stronger performance in metro cities
- Better occupancy during evening and weekend shows
- Dependence on word-of-mouth for sustained collections
- Average response in smaller centres
Trade analysts say the second weekend will be crucial in determining the film’s final box office trajectory.
What to Watch in the Second Weekend
The second weekend often decides the long-term success of mid-budget films.
If collections show growth again, the film could sustain its theatrical run for several weeks. However, a sharp drop could limit its overall earnings.
Factors that will influence the second weekend include:
- Audience reviews
- Competition from new releases
- Promotional campaigns
- Music popularity
Industry View: Mid-Budget Films in 2026
The performance of ‘O Romeo’ also reflects the current trend in the Hindi film industry.
Mid-budget films are increasingly relying on strong content and positive word-of-mouth rather than star power alone. Audiences are becoming more selective, especially with the rise of OTT platforms.
Trade experts say films in this segment must perform consistently over several weeks to achieve success.
Bottom Line
Shahid Kapoor’s ‘O Romeo’ has started its box office run with a steady response, led by urban multiplex audiences and weekend footfall. The film has not seen a record-breaking opening but is showing signs of stable performance driven by word-of-mouth.
With the second weekend approaching, the film’s long-term success will depend on sustained audience interest and limited competition at the box office. If positive trends continue, it could maintain a steady theatrical run in the coming weeks.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is intended for general informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness, data such as prices, market figures, government notifications, weather updates, holiday announcements, and public advisories are subject to change and may vary based on location and official revisions. Readers are strongly encouraged to verify details from relevant official sources before making financial, investment, career, travel, or personal decisions. This publication does not provide financial, investment, legal, or professional advice and shall not be held liable for any losses, damages, or actions taken in reliance on the information provided.
Last Updated on: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 12:15 pm by Digital Herald Team | Published by: Digital Herald Team on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 12:15 pm | News Categories: Entertainment