The arrival of the OTT industry has undoubtedly been a game-changer for Indian cinema in recent times. It has paved the way for films like "Operation Romeo" to receive approval, which might not have been possible otherwise. At first glance, the plot appears straightforward, involving an act of injustice followed by the protagonist seeking vengeance. However, the film skillfully transforms into a profound exploration of toxic masculinity and the significance of a woman recognizing her own value. To gain a deeper comprehension of the intricate layers the movie offers, let us delve into its storyline.

Do Adi And Neha Escape The Cops?

"Operation Romeo" commences with Aditya extending birthday wishes to Neha and the two of them making plans for a date. It becomes evident that Neha hails from a conservative family and feels compelled to conceal details about her college life from her parents—an experience shared by many Asian women. The following day, they embark on their date and enjoy themselves. Adi exhibits possessive tendencies, as indicated by his sour expression when Neha jokingly mentions receiving flowers from a male classmate on her birthday. Moreover, when another man shows interest in Neha at a café, Adi assertively intervenes, urging him to desist. Another subtle instance of this behavior arises when some boys in his neighborhood prepare for a fight, and Adi requests them to throw a few punches on his behalf. In essence, Adi embodies the archetype of a typical Indian man, holding firm beliefs about masculinity and assuming the role of a supposed "protector."

During their date, as Adi and Neha grow more comfortable with each other, Adi boldly asks Neha for a kiss. However, their intimate moment is abruptly interrupted by a man aggressively banging on their car door. He identifies himself as Mangesh Yadav, the sub-inspector of the area, and accuses Adi and Neha of engaging in public indecency. The situation instills fear in both of them, particularly Neha, who dreads the consequences if her family were to learn about this incident. Adi pleads with the police officers to release them, but they adamantly refuse. After persistent appeals, Mangesh finally agrees to let them go if they provide him with a certain sum of money. Aditya reluctantly agrees and drives to an ATM. However, another predicament arises as Adi's infatuation with Neha leads him to make inappropriate remarks. Adi does his utmost to protect Neha, but his efforts can only go so far.

At the ATM, Adi discovers that the machine is out of order. Filled with urgency, he hurries back to the car, and the police officers decide to drive until they locate another functional ATM. However, throughout the journey, Mangesh's persistent gaze towards Neha creates an unsettling atmosphere, causing the couple immense discomfort. There is an underlying fear that the cops might be taking advantage of the situation. At one point, Adi contemplates surrendering to the police rather than continuing the game of cat and mouse, but Neha's apprehension about her parents finding out prevents them from following through. Eventually, the trio stumbles upon another ATM, and Adi rushes to withdraw the required money. To his dismay, he discovers that Mangesh has locked the car from the inside, trapping himself with Neha. Adi rushes back, only to find Neha in tears. Although the exact details remain unclear, it is evident that Mangesh has acted inappropriately towards her.

In any case, Mangesh accepts the money from Adi and instructs them to leave. Relieved to be free from the clutches of the police, the couple heads back home. Upon their arrival, Adi, consumed by curiosity and his own sense of masculinity, confronts Neha about what transpired inside the car. He asserts that he needs to know as a man. In response, Neha simply utters the word "man" with an implied question mark, leaving her sentence open to interpretation. It could imply that she perceives Adi's failure to protect her as a woman, or it could highlight the absurdity of his question, considering she is the victim in this situation. However, Adi interprets her response as a challenge to his masculinity, and he struggles to come to terms with it. This sets the stage for the next phase of the film.

‘Operation Romeo’ Ending Explained – Does Adi Find Out What Happened To Neha?

Adi becomes consumed by thoughts of that fateful night, particularly because he perceives a challenge to his masculinity. This fuels his desire for revenge. Through his investigation, he discovers that Mangesh, whom he believed to be a police officer, was actually an ambulance driver who took advantage of the situation. Determined to enact his plan, Adi locates Mangesh's address and visits his house when Mangesh is absent. Chhaya, Mangesh's wife, and their daughter are the only ones at home. Adi pretends to be there to discuss a contract with Mangesh and gains entry into the house with Chhaya's permission. Once inside, Adi deliberately makes Chhaya feel uncomfortable in various ways. He draws a depiction of Mangesh as a dog, helps himself to their kitchen without Chhaya's consent, and even hides her phone. Sensing that something is amiss, Chhaya implores Adi to leave. However, fate works in Adi's favor as Mangesh arrives at that very moment. It is at this turning point that Adi shifts the dynamics. He confronts Mangesh by reciting some of the inappropriate comments Mangesh had made to Neha, causing Chhaya to suspect that there is a history between the two men.

In the ensuing scuffle, Adi injures Mangesh. When Adi's friends call out for him outside the house, he holds a broken shard of glass to Mangesh's daughter's neck, compelling his friends to remain silent. Unaware of Mangesh's presence, the friends discuss his womanizing behavior and recent exploitation of a couple. Chhaya overhears the conversation and confronts Mangesh, demanding to know what he has done to Neha. With no alternative, Mangesh admits that he had asked Neha for a kiss when they were alone, but she refused and slapped him when he persisted. Adi realizes that these were the exact events of that night. Understanding the truth, Adi apologizes to Chhaya and warns Mangesh never to repeat such actions, emphasizing that there is someone out there who embodies true courage and masculinity.

The following day, Adi meets Neha, who questions why he has been ignoring her calls. He confesses what he did, and Neha asks him if it would have made a difference if something had actually happened to her that night. Adi falls silent for a moment but changes the topic by presenting a ring. He reveals that he has carried it since her birthday and attempts to put it on her finger. In a powerful and unexpected gesture, Neha extends her middle finger instead. This act, quoting from another beloved series, symbolizes a courageous gesture that breaks centuries of patriarchy. It completely shifts the perception of who the real hero is within seconds, delivering a beautiful ending to a well-crafted storyline.

Final Thoughts - What Makes "Operation Romeo" Stand Out?

The film captivates from start to finish, offering no dull moments. The audience shares in the couple's terror as they face Mangesh's blackmail. Despite the frustration caused by Adi's toxic masculinity, we find ourselves rooting for him as he seeks revenge. The talent of the actors shines through, with Sharad Kelkar, Bhumika Chawla, and Siddhant Gupta truly making their characters come alive. Siddhant Gupta, in particular, impresses with his portrayal of Adi, seamlessly transitioning from a shy romantic to a brooding avenger and masterfully portraying the unsettling scenes in Mangesh's house. We eagerly anticipate seeing more of his work.

The writing skillfully captures the essence of the couple's awkward romance, their subsequent terror, and Adi's journey driven by his insecurities to prove his manhood. The movie does not glorify Adi's actions but rather exposes them for what they are. It does so by using the middle finger gesture that many women have longed to express towards such displays of toxic masculinity. The film recognizes that behavior like Adi's is not romantic but stems from deep-seated insecurity and outdated gender stereotypes of being the "protector." The execution exhibits remarkable subtlety and tugs at the heartstrings. In summary, "Operation Romeo" is a delightful watch, and we eagerly anticipate more content of this caliber in the future. Additionally, we hope to see more of Sharad Kelkar, Bhumika Chawla, and Siddhant Gupta, as their talents deserve wider recognition. May both these wishes come true.

"Operation Romeo" is a 2022 Indian Drama Thriller film directed by Shashant Shah.