Set in the textured, fog-lit alleys of Old Delhi and the quietly poetic bylanes of Punjab, this 2025 film asks: can love survive tradition, betrayal, and the cruelty of time?
Gustaakh Ishq — What It Is
Directed by Vibhu Puri (of Hawaizaada fame), produced by fashion-maestro-turned-producer Manish Malhotra under Stage5 Productions, Gustaakh Ishq stars Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh as the romantic leads, with veteran Naseeruddin Shah and Sharib Hashmi in pivotal roles.
The story is painted with poetic strokes. Vijay Varma plays Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rehman, a young, idealistic shayar (poet) who arrives at the home of a retired Urdu poet to learn the nuances of shayari. There, he meets Minni (Fatima Sana Shaikh), the poet’s daughter. What begins as shared verses and shy glances blossoms into deep affection, complicated by duty, honor, and unspoken truths.
The film had its gala premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on 24 November 2025, before its theatrical release on 28 November.
Under a 128-minute runtime, the makers aimed for a slow-burn romance — heavy on nostalgia, poetry,and yearning. The music, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj (songs) and Hitesh Sonik (background score), adds a smoky, soulful layer.
What’s Working — The Gentle Strengths
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A Tribute to Old-School Romance: In an era of instant-love clichés and flashy bedroom dramas, Gustaakh Ishq dares to be patient. Its slow pace, Urdu poetry, delicate dialogues, and aesthetic sensibilities offer a rare respite. As one critic observed, when Naseeruddin Shah appears on screen, “the film lifts” — he anchors the emotion with gravitas.
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Visual & Emotional Atmosphere: The recreations of old Delhi and its timeless charm — bazaars, fading facades, dusty lanes — are convincingly crafted. The world-building is immersive; for moments, you smell the damp air, hear the distant azaan, feel the weight of time. Many viewers say this nostalgic authenticity stays with you.
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Music & Atmosphere Intact: Vishal Bhardwaj’s musical sensibility, aided by soulful lyrics, complements the old-world romance. Songs like Ul Jalool Ishq and background scores swirl around emotions, adding depth.
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Braving Certification Storm — and Still Releasing: The film recently hit headlines because the board asked to change words like “harami” and “sex” — replacing them with milder terms like “kameena” and “aiyaashi.” No scenes were removed; only language was trimmed, and the film got a U/A certificate. For a romance rooted in realism and raw emotion, this restraint (or compromise) is significant.
In short: Gustaakh Ishq feels like a hushed poem whispered in a noisy room — subtle, sincere, and almost too fragile for its own ambition.
The Cracks Showing — Where the Romance Falters
But auburn nostalgia and lush poetry cannot always mask structural flaws.
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Too Much Sweetness, Not Enough Conflict: Critics argue that after the first half-hour, the film slips into comfort — the emotions remain soft, the stakes low. The central conflict lacks the weight to pull the slow-burning romance through its own lethargy. As one review bluntly put it: “Too much sweetness, even for lovers of old-school romance.”
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Predictability Breeds Disappointment: When your most considerable tension is about a printing press and hesitant glances, predictability becomes the villain. Many audience members felt the climax and moral dilemmas were too easy to foresee — in a way that diminishes emotional impact.
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Pacing Equals Patience — a Risky Gamble: For viewers accustomed to quick cuts, loud drama, and cinematic peaks, Gustaakh Ishq may drag. The slow pacing demands patience — an attitude rare in today’s streaming-spoiled generation.
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Box Office’s Cold Mirror: For a film with glossy production and a strong cast, the opening day collection remains modest — reportedly around ₹0.50 crore. That’s hardly a blockbuster start, especially with competition and changing audience preferences.
When you aim to seduce hearts with whispers, there’s always a danger of silence winning instead of sorrow.
Industry Backdrop & Production Realities
This film is more than romance — it’s a gamble. It marks the producer debut of Manish Malhotra under his banner Stage5 Productions.
Shooting wrapped in March 2025, and the film saw its final form just before its IFFI premiere in Goa. The decision to delay release from 21 to 28 November 2025 was reportedly to avoid a clash with other major releases.
After its theatrical run, the film is slated to stream on JioHotstar, which could give it a second life among home viewers seeking softer romance.
The Duality of Romance & Reality: What Gustaakh Ishq Tells Us
Gustaakh Ishq isn’t a film made for impulse. It’s a film that demands reflection.
It asks viewers to lean in when the dialogue hovers like smoke, to breathe in when the camera lingers on a handwritten shayari, to feel the ache of quiet longing. It doesn’t offer dramatic explosions or loud heartbreaks — it offers subtle fissures inside the soul.
Yet, in a world that consumes stories like soft drinks (fast, sugary, and disposable), such quiet heartbreak may not sell. The CBFC’s censorship demands, modest box office returns, and mixed critical reception highlight a hard truth: subtlety is expensive, both artistically and commercially.
But for those willing to invest — emotionally, mentally — Gustaakh Ishq offers something rare: a longing that doesn’t need fireworks. A love that doesn’t scream. A pain that doesn’t brag.
PNN Entertainment
