The audience ratings and public reviews for the film "O'Romeo" have been disabled on the ticketing platform BookMyShow. This action follows a court order, a step reported to be unprecedented for a Hindi film seeking to remove such content from an online platform. The film's BookMyShow page now displays a message stating, "Reviews and ratings disabled as per court order."
Background and Circumstances
"O'Romeo," starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, was released on February 13th. The film features a notable ensemble cast including Vikrant Massey, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, and Nana Patekar. Despite significant pre-release anticipation and stylistic elements, audience reception has been varied, with some reviews noting critiques regarding pacing and narrative cohesion. The film has also experienced what is described as a "lukewarm" box office response.
The disabling of reviews and ratings on BookMyShow appears to be a direct response to a legal directive, marking a significant development in how film producers are addressing online public feedback.
Evidence of Court-Mandated Action
The primary evidence for the removal of reviews and ratings stems directly from the BookMyShow platform. Visitors to the "O'Romeo" page are met with a clear notification: "Reviews and ratings disabled as per court order."
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This notice is consistent across multiple reports, appearing on the film's dedicated page.
BookMyShow has not released a detailed public statement explaining the specific legal grounds for the order.
Industry observers suggest this move might be a proactive measure against perceived organized negative campaigns, often termed "review bombing," which can unfairly influence a film's public perception.
The explicit mention of a "court order" in the platform's notice is the central piece of evidence linking the removal to legal intervention.
First-Time Legal Action for a Hindi Film
The action taken by the "O'Romeo" makers is highlighted as a novel approach within the Hindi film industry.
Reports indicate this is the first instance of a Hindi film pursuing legal channels to have audience reviews and ratings removed from an online platform like BookMyShow.
This contrasts with previous instances where platforms have removed content due to violations of their terms of service, but not typically under direct court compulsion for an entire film's review section.
The development raises questions about the potential for similar legal strategies in the future to manage online discourse surrounding film releases.
Concerns Over Review Manipulation
The backdrop to this event includes wider industry concerns about the integrity of online reviews.
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Allegations of "review bombing," where films are intentionally targeted with negative reviews to lower their scores, have become more prevalent.
There are also counter-allegations of production houses and studios employing fake reviews to artificially inflate their films' audience scores on platforms like BookMyShow and IMDb.
The current situation with "O'Romeo" is seen by some as a response to these pressures, aimed at preventing a skewed perception driven by such manipulative tactics.
Public and Platform Response
The removal has prompted reactions from internet users and anticipation of a platform response.
Public Reaction: Online discussions, particularly on platforms like Reddit, show user dissatisfaction with the abrupt removal of reviews. Film enthusiasts have expressed their displeasure.
Platform Stance: While BookMyShow displays the court order notice, it has not issued a comprehensive official statement detailing the specific legal reasons or its policy implications moving forward. The platform's silence, beyond the notice, has contributed to the speculation surrounding the event.
Expert and Industry Commentary
Industry observers, while not issuing direct quotes in the provided data, have commented on the implications of this action.
The move is viewed as a strategic response by the film's stakeholders to mitigate potential damage to the film's reputation from what they may perceive as an unfairly negative online reception.
This situation brings to light the increasing tension between creative output and the power of online public opinion, and how legal avenues are now being explored to navigate this complex landscape.
Conclusion and Implications
The disabling of audience reviews and ratings for "O'Romeo" on BookMyShow, attributed to a court order, represents a significant development. It is the first known instance of a Hindi film taking such legal action to control its online public feedback. This move highlights the growing concerns within the film industry regarding review manipulation, such as review bombing and the use of fake reviews.
The explicit court order referenced on the platform suggests a formal legal process was initiated by the film's makers.
While the exact legal justification remains undisclosed by the parties involved, the action is seen as a potential strategy to counter negative campaigning or to preserve a particular public image of the film.
This event sets a precedent, indicating that legal recourse is now a consideration for film producers seeking to manage online reviews, potentially leading to further debates about censorship, artistic freedom, and the role of audience feedback platforms.
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Sources Used:
Bollywood Hungama: https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/oromeo-ratings-reviews-disabled-bookmyshow-court-order/
Timesnownews.com: https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/o-romeo-audience-ratings-and-reviews-disabled-on-popular-ticketing-site-know-why-article-153615092
Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/o-romeo-review-and-rating-removed-from-bookmyshow-abruptly-due-to-court-order-shahid-kapoor-vishal-bhardwaj-101771126482597.html
Zoom Entertainment: https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/bollywood/o-romeo-bookmyshow-reviews-disabled-court-order-article-153615462
Republic World: https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment/bollywood/o-romeo-review-bookmyshow-abruptly-disables-audience-rating-of-shahid-kapoor-triptii-dimri-starrer-days-after-release
News18: https://www.news18.com/movies/bollywood/shahid-kapoors-o-romeo-audience-reviews-removed-from-bookmyshow-after-court-order-ws-l-9904673.html
Mathrubhumi English: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/shahid-kapoor-o-romeo-reviews-removed-bookmyshow-court-order-e4vs9eto
NewsBytesApp: https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/o-romeo-reviews-and-ratings-removed-from-bms/story
Mid-day: https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/o-romeo-reviews-and-ratings-for-shahid-kapoors-film-disabled-as-per-court-orders-23616706
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