Gustaakh Ishq review: Vijay Varma, Fatima’s old school love tale never reaches its full spark

Gustaakh Ishq review: Gustaakh Ishq steps into cinemas with the promise of old-school love and the charm of timeless Urdu verse. Directed by Vibhu Puri and produced by Manish Malhotra, the film arrives as a soft counterpoint to today’s high-decibel blockbusters. It offers a world soaked in nostalgia and measured silences. However, those same qualities occasionally dilute its emotional intensity.

Starring Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Naseeruddin Shah in the lead, the film delves into the elegy of a forgotten Shaayar. While the premise of the film promises a classic old-school love tale, it's a nightmare for those with a low attention span. Scroll down to read our full review of Gustaakh Ishq.

The story of Gustaakh Ishq follows Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rahman Rizvi (Vijay Varma), a young man struggling to save his late father’s Urdu press. His journey leads him to the rustic town of Malerkotla in Punjab straight from the cobbled streets of Delhi. There, a once-celebrated poet, Aziz Beg, resides, played with effortless brilliance by Naseeruddin Shah. Aziz, now withdrawn from the world, spends his days surrounded by unwritten lines, unresolved grief, and the presence of his daughter, Mannat Ali Beg, aka Minni (Fatima Sana Shaikh).

Nawabuddin arrives under the guise of a student seeking mentorship, also known as a shaagird. He hopes to secure permission to publish Aziz’s lost works. As he learns the craft of poetry, he finds himself entangled not only in the poet’s stubbornness but also in the quiet pull of Minni’s affection. Their romance unfolds in shared glances and poetic Urdu verses that say what words cannot.

But the film shifts tone as reality interrupts Nawabuddin’s dreamy escape. Mounting debts and pressure from loan sharks pull him away, and Minni walks out of his life without ceremony. Sadly, what could have been a shattering emotional pivot instead lands as a soft bruise, is not fully explored.

Naseeruddin Shah anchors Gustaakh Ishq with a performance that radiates wisdom, mischief, and melancholy. As Aziz, he becomes the soul of the film and delivers poetry not just as dialogue but as lived experience. His dry humour and dignified restraint keep the film grounded even when the screenplay meanders.

Vijay Varma captures Nawabuddin’s earnestness with believable charm. His comic timing offers welcome relief, while his vulnerability gives the story its emotional spine.

Fatima Sana Shaikh, meanwhile, slips into Minni’s delicacy with remarkable ease. The blush-pink palette of her wardrobe mirrors her character’s softness and the warmth she brings to Nawabuddin’s life.

Visually, the film is a feast. Vibhu Puri’s fascination with natural light turns every frame into a postcard. Sunbeams spill over rooftops, linger on letters, and reflect off ageing walls. Malhotra’s production design marries nostalgia with elegance, creating an agrarian world that takes us back to the year 1998.

Despite the promise of an ornate love tale, the film’s emotional rhythm falters. The first half charms you with melancholic Urdu poetry, but the second half slows into uneven territory. Several dramatic moments feel diluted, as if the film hesitates to commit to deeper emotional stakes. The romance between Minni and Nawabuddin is tender but not unforgettable. Plus, the screenplay sometimes seems more invested in aesthetics than in building an emotional crescendo. The characters of Vijay and Fatima feel underwritten, and their chemistry feels incomplete.

Gustaakh Ishq is a beautifully crafted, quietly performed romantic drama that offers soft pleasures rather than sweeping highs.

Watch it for Naseer Sahab!

Movie name: Gustaakh Ishq

Gustakh Ishq movie cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sharib Hashmi

Gustakh Ishq movie director: Vibhu Puri

Gustakh Ishq movie rating: 2/5 stars