A gangster from Mumbai, known as Hussain Ustara, whose alleged rivalry with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his violent past have reportedly inspired a new Bollywood film, has become the subject of public attention. The film, "O' Romeo," starring Shahid Kapoor, has also brought Ustara's family into the spotlight, with his daughter reportedly taking legal action.
The life and actions of Hussain Ustara, a figure described as a blade-wielding gangster, have resurfaced in public consciousness. Ustara, whose birth name was Hussain Sheikh, is said to have risen through the ranks of Mumbai's underworld, engaging in activities such as intimidation and protection rackets. His alleged defiance of Dawood Ibrahim's authority, a prominent figure in the criminal landscape, is a central theme in narratives surrounding Ustara. This rivalry, fueled by competing interests and a refusal to submit to leadership, has been a point of discussion in criminal circles for years. The specific nature of his violent acts, particularly his use of a sharp blade, or "ustara" (scalpel), to inflict deep wounds, is often cited as the origin of his moniker and a defining aspect of his reputation. The unfolding of these stories coincides with the release of "O' Romeo," a film that appears to draw heavily from Ustara's life, leading to a legal challenge from his family.
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Background and Rise in the Underworld
Hussain Ustara, born Hussain Sheikh, reportedly began his criminal journey in the rough neighborhoods of Mumbai. Accounts suggest his entry into the underworld involved early confrontations and involvement in protection rackets.
Early Career: Ustara is described as having started with basic, forceful tasks within the criminal hierarchy, such as intimidation and enforcing protection rackets.
The Moniker: The name "Ustara" is said to have originated from a particularly violent incident where he inflicted a serious, sharp wound on an opponent with a scalpel. This weapon and the distinctive nature of the injuries became synonymous with his identity.
Independent Operation: A recurring point in descriptions of Ustara is his alleged refusal to operate under the authority of Dawood Ibrahim. This independent stance is presented as a key factor in his rivalry with Ibrahim.
Rivalry with Dawood Ibrahim
The alleged conflict between Hussain Ustara and Dawood Ibrahim is a significant element in the narratives surrounding the gangster. This rivalry is portrayed as a clash of ambitions and a power struggle within Mumbai's underworld.
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Conflicting Interests: Reports suggest that Ustara and Ibrahim were at odds due to competing interests, with neither willing to yield control or dominance.
Defiance of Authority: Ustara is highlighted as one of the few individuals who openly challenged Dawood Ibrahim's rise to power, choosing independence over allegiance.
Underworld Discussions: This alleged rivalry has been a persistent topic of conversation within Mumbai's underground communities for many years.
"O' Romeo" and Legal Scrutiny
The film "O' Romeo," starring Shahid Kapoor and directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, appears to be directly inspired by the life of Hussain Ustara. The film's production and impending release have brought renewed attention to the gangster, and also initiated legal proceedings from his family.
Inspiration for the Film: Reports confirm that the character portrayed by Shahid Kapoor in "O' Romeo" draws significant inspiration from Hussain Ustara, particularly his violent past and his notoriety as a contract killer.
Legal Challenge: Hussain Ustara's daughter, Sanober Shaikh, has reportedly sent a legal notice to the makers of "O' Romeo," demanding a halt to the film's release and allegedly seeking compensation. This action has placed the film and the narrative of Ustara's life under legal scrutiny.
Cinematic Portrayal: The film's exploration of Ustara's character, described as a "blade-wielding don" and a "razor-wielder," suggests a dramatic interpretation of his life and alleged criminal activities.
Literary and Folklore Significance
Hussain Ustara's life and exploits have been documented in crime literature and have become part of Mumbai's underworld folklore. His notoriety stems from his violent methods and his defiance of established criminal hierarchies.
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"Dongri to Dubai": Crime writer Hussain Zaidi's acclaimed book "Dongri to Dubai" is cited as a source that documents Hussain Ustara's life and his interactions within the underworld. Zaidi has reportedly shared personal insights about Ustara, noting his penchant for showing off.
Reputation as a Contract Killer: Ustara is widely described as a contract killer, known for his precise and brutal use of weapons, particularly a razor or scalpel.
Legacy in Crime Folklore: Despite not necessarily leading a vast criminal empire, Ustara's refusal to submit to powerful figures like Dawood Ibrahim has cemented his place in the folklore of Mumbai's criminal history.
Expert Analysis
Crime historians and writers familiar with Mumbai's underworld offer insights into the significance of figures like Hussain Ustara.
"In the underworld, nicknames are often earned through specific acts of violence or unique traits. The nature of the injuries inflicted was so distinct that the name stuck permanently, while this weapon became his signature, symbolizing a controlled yet lethal form of violence." (Source: zoomnews.in)
"It is said that a long incision had been made from shoulder to bottom. The doctors were stunned to see such a cut. They did not understand how to operate." (Source: newsbytesapp.com, quoting writer S Hussain Zaidi)
Conclusion and Implications
The story of Hussain Ustara, a figure who allegedly carved out his own space in Mumbai's underworld through violence and defiance, continues to resonate. His alleged rivalry with Dawood Ibrahim and his unique method of inflicting harm have made him a notable character in crime narratives. The film "O' Romeo" has brought these stories to a wider audience, simultaneously triggering legal action from his family. This situation highlights the complex relationship between real-life criminal figures, their portrayal in popular media, and the ensuing legal and ethical considerations. The legal challenge filed by Ustara's daughter suggests a desire to control the narrative and potentially seek redress for the use of her father's life story. The outcome of this legal dispute could set precedents for how the lives of controversial figures are adapted for entertainment.
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Timesnownews.com: Published Jan 17, 2026. Focuses on Ustara's rivalry with Dawood Ibrahim and inspiration for films, mentioning Hussain Zaidi's book. (https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/people/the-real-story-of-hussain-ustara-the-blade-wielding-gangster-who-dared-to-challenge-dawood-ibrahim-and-inspired-bollywood-shahid-kapoor-movie-o-romeo-sapna-didi-article-153442206)
Bollywoodlife.com: Published recently. Details Ustara's birth name, rise through street battles and protection rackets, and the basis of his rivalry with Dawood Ibrahim. (https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/who-is-hussain-ustara-meet-popular-gangster-whose-rivalry-with-dawood-ibrahim-inspired-shahid-kapoors-3318360/)
Bollywoodshaadis.com: Published Jan 13, 2026. Explains the origin of the name 'Ustara' from a violent incident and connects it to Shahid Kapoor's film "O' Romeo." (https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/meet-hussain-ustara-inspiration-for-shahid-kapoor-character-in-o-romeo-73636)
Thedailyjagran.com: Published Jan 15, 2026. Discusses Ustara's independent operation against Dawood Ibrahim and mentions the legal dispute initiated by Ustara's daughter regarding "O' Romeo." (https://www.thedailyjagran.com/entertainment/news/who-is-hussain-ustara-the-real-life-gangster-dawood-ibrahim-rival-inspired-shahid-kapoor-o-romeo-10292635)
NDTV.com: Published Jan 14, 2026. Highlights Ustara's origins in Mumbai's neighborhoods, his rivalry with Dawood Ibrahim, and the legal notice sent by his daughter regarding the film "O' Romeo." (https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/who-is-hussain-ustara-the-gangster-at-the-centre-of-shahid-kapoors-oromeo-row-10747495)
Indiatoday.in: Published Jan 14, 2026. Focuses on Ustara being a contract killer whose identity stemmed from his signature weapon, a barber's razor called "ustara." (https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/hussain-ustara-mumbai-underworld-razor-wielder-shahid-kapoor-o-romeo-film-2851874-2026-01-14)
Zoomnews.in: Published 9 hours ago. Describes Ustara as a gangster who challenged Dawood Ibrahim, explaining how he got his nickname "Ustara" from a violent confrontation. (https://www.zoomnews.in/en/news-detail/hussain-ustara-the-gangster-who-challenged-dawood-ibrahim-inspired-film-o-romeo.html)
Newsbytesapp.com: Published Jan 13, 2026. Details Ustara's nickname origin from a violent act involving a scalpel and references insights from writer S Hussain Zaidi. (https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/who-was-hussain-ustara/story)
News24online.com: Published Jan 16, 2026. Introduces Ustara as a notorious Mumbai gangster, explaining his nickname's origin and his independent stance against Dawood Ibrahim. (https://news24online.com/india/o-romeo-who-were-sapna-didi-and-hussain-ustara-how-their-dangerous-partnership-made-dawood-ibrahim-shake-in-fear/714487/)
