Sanober Shaikh, daughter of late journalist and encounter informer Hussain Shaikh alias Hussain Ustara, has moved a Mumbai court seeking to stop the release of upcoming Hindi film ‘O Romeo’ [Sanober Shaikh v. Sjid Nadiadwala & Ors.].She has claimed that the movie is a biopic inspired by her father’s life and that the makers have misappropriated his persona and defamed him without consent.The suit has been filed against producer Sajid Nadiadwala and others associated with the film.The movie starring Shahid Kapoor is slated to hit theatres on February 13.Shaikh has sought direction to injunct its theatrical, television and OTT release. The suit is before the Mumbai City Civil Court which will hear the plea on February 6..In the suit filed through advocate DV Saroj, Shaikh has claimed that the teaser and promotional material of the film explicitly project it as being based on “true events” and substantially derived from the life of her deceased father whose outlaw past and role as an informer against the D‑Company (underworld crime syndicate led by fugitive Dawood Ibrahim) are well‑documented. She asserts that her late father was a law‑abiding citizen turned police asset who assisted various law‑enforcement agencies. His name, image, reputation and life story constitute inheritable personality and publicity rights that cannot be commercially exploited without the family’s permission, it has been contended..According to the suit, the film exploits the life, name, image and reputation of her deceased father without consent and portrays him in a derogatory and vulgar manner, thereby defaming him and causing social ostracism to the family..Before approaching the civil court, Shaikh issued a series of legal notices from October 30, 2025, calling upon the filmmakers to cease and desist from using her father’s story, to pay compensation and to arrange a pre‑release private screening. Shaikh also lodged a police complaint on January 23 this year invoking provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for defamation and cheating.The defendants responded to the same by claiming that the film is fictional, that any resemblance is coincidental and that they do not require consent. These replies have been cited and specifically disputed in the suit..Shaikh has now sought a permanent injunction claiming the defendants have no right to deal with or telecast the film ‘O Romio’. “The release of the movie will besmirch the character of the dead person which is a sheer violation of the right to privacy,” it has been contended..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.
