When O’Romeo was released in theatres on 13 February 2026, it drew attention not just for its story and cast, but for something unusual that happened online. The film’s audience ratings and written reviews were removed from the ticketing platform BookMyShow, marking a first for a Hindi film.
Here’s what’s behind that decision, and what it means.
What Happened on BookMyShow
O’Romeo was listed on BookMyShow with an audience rating shortly after release — first around 6.8 out of 10, and at one point about 7.0 on the platform.
Then suddenly, the audience score and written reviews disappeared from the movie’s page. In place of the usual ratings, BookMyShow now shows this notice: “Reviews and ratings disabled as per court order.”
People can still see how many users are interested in the film, but they can no longer rate or review it publicly on the site.
Legal Order Behind the Change
The removal didn’t happen because of a bug or site policy change — it came after a court order. According to media reports, the makers of O’Romeo approached the court seeking intervention to block the display of audience reviews and scores.
BookMyShow implemented that court directive, making this the first instance in Hindi cinema where audience feedback was legally blocked on the platform.
Why Ratings Were Removed
There isn’t an official statement from either BookMyShow or the film’s producers explaining the move in detail. But reports suggest that the step was taken to:
- Address negative campaignstargeting the film’s ratings online
- Prevent “review bombing”, where groups flood a film’s page with low scores to push down its average
- Protect the film from organised online attacks that might not reflect genuine audience opinion
There have been similar situations in some South Indian film releases, but O’Romeo is the first major Hindi movie to see reviews disabled in this way.
What Viewers Are Saying
The change has sparked discussion among movie watchers. Some argue that blocking ratings:
- Helps films avoid unfair negative trends pushed by online groups
- Gives audiences space to form opinions without being influenced by early low scores
Others feel that disabling ratings:
- Limits genuine audience feedback
- Reduces transparency for people deciding whether to watch the movie
Because BookMyShow now only shows how many users are interested in the film — not how they feel about it — the audience experience on the platform has shifted.
The Film Behind the Controversy
Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, O’Romeo is a crime thriller inspired by a chapter of the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai.
The movie explores themes of love, revenge, and violence through its gritty narrative and ensemble cast. Despite mixed critical responses, the film drew enough attention at the box office to stay in public conversation.
Broader Context
Blocking audience ratings on a major platform like BookMyShow is rare. It reflects a tension that has been growing across entertainment and digital spaces: how to balance open feedback with protection against coordinated online behaviour.
Production houses and filmmakers have complained in the past about organised campaigns that deliberately push down ratings. At the same time, many viewers believe public reviews are essential for honest evaluation of media.
What This Means for Future Releases
The O’Romeo case might influence how filmmakers and distributors handle online feedback going forward. If legal orders to disable ratings become more common, platforms like BookMyShow may face new challenges in balancing user voice and platform integrity.
For now, though, this stands as a rare example of a Hindi film taking legal steps that changed how a major ticketing site displays public opinion.
