- By Tanya Garg
- Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:48 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Who Is Hussain Ustara? The Hindi film industry's growing interest in real-life crime narratives has brought attention to Hussain Ustara's story. Actor Shahid Kapoor will soon play Ustara in Vishal Bhardwaj's film O Romeo. The movie is based on actual events that are similar to Hussain Ustara's life, even though it does not claim to be a straight biography. Shahid Kapoor portrays Ustara, a hitman in O Romeo, who develops feelings for Afsha, played by Triptii Dimri. The character is drawn into a perilous world of love, betrayal, and retaliation.
Who Is Underworld Gangster Hussain Ustara?
Hussain Ustara was one of the most notorious figures to come out of Mumbai's underworld in the 1980s and early 1990s. Hussain Ustara was a rare opponent of Dawood Ibrahim, whose power transformed organised crime in India. He was renowned for his brutal accuracy and icy determination. Hussain Ustara's brutality is not the only thing that sets him apart from other gangsters of his era; his existence was surrounded by mystery and unfulfilled revenge.
The word 'Ustara' originated from an actual violent incident rather than folklore. According to crime writer S. Hussain Zaidi, the underworld gangster's name came during a violent altercation in which he used a sharp blade—often called a scalpel or ustara—to kill his adversaries. Doctors apparently had trouble figuring out how to treat the damage because it was so deep and clean.
Why Were Hussain Ustara And Dawood Ibrahim Rivals?
Hussain Ustara was among the very few people who openly dared to oppose Dawood Ibrahim since he rose to power. Power disputes and competing allegiances within the underworld were some of the reasons they didn't see eye-to-eye. Hussain Ustara used to function on his own and resisted being under Dawood's authority.
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Sapna Didi, whose real name was Ashraf Khan, was not a criminal. However, once her husband, Mehmood Khan, was murdered by Dawood Ibrahim's gang, her life was altered. Her grief quickly turned into rage, and she desired retribution. Sapna Didi decided to become one of the most deadly characters in Mumbai's underworld. Hussain Ustara reportedly taught Sapna Didi how to ride motorcycles, fight, and handle firearms. They conspired to exact revenge that rocked the underground.
Is O'Romeo Inspired By Hussain Ustara's Real-Life Events?
It is difficult to overlook the parallels between the lives of Hussain Ustara and Sapna Didi—the character names, the rivalry with the most dangerous criminal organisations, and his relationship with a lady motivated by retaliation. The directors have refuted any resemblances, though. They have made it clear that the movie is not a factual retelling but rather a fictitious story inspired by real-life occurrences.
Meanwhile, Shahid Kapoor starrer O'Romeo faced legal issues ahead of its scheduled theatrical release. Sanober Shaikh, the late Hussain Ustara's daughter, filed a lawsuit claiming that her father's image and life narrative had been used without permission, which has put O'Romeo in legal hot water. According to the notice, the movie heavily references thegangster's life without his family's permission.