Gustaakh Ishq Review: Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh & Naseeruddin Shah Bring Poetic Romance to Life

Set in a Delhi obsessed with sher-o-shayari, Gustaakh Ishq imagines a 1998 universe where conversations feel incomplete unless dipped in Urdu. Director Vibhu Puri leans into this lyrical world wholeheartedly, crafting a nostalgic, old-Delhi romance that moves to the rhythm of poetry — sometimes beautifully, sometimes excessively.

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A Story Steeped in Poetry and Pain

At its heart, Gustaakh Ishq is the story of three people caught between love, art, and responsibility.

• Nawazuddin Saifuddin (Vijay Varma) — a financially struggling printer trying to keep his late father’s press alive.

• Aziz Beg (Naseeruddin Shah) — a reclusive poet whose unpublished writings Nawazuddin believes could change his life.

• Mannat (Fatima Sana Shaikh) — Aziz’s daughter, recently divorced and guarded, yet quietly yearning for connection.

When Nawazuddin discovers Aziz’s extraordinary manuscripts, he becomes convinced that publishing them is his only chance at survival. But Aziz, who believes true poetry should exist free of commercial validation, refuses to let his work enter the marketplace. Nawaz’s journey to convince him leads him into Mannat’s world, where affection gradually blossoms.

The film eventually revolves around two central questions:
Will Aziz allow his poetry to be printed? And can Mannat and Nawaz overcome their own bruised pasts to build something lasting?

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Atmosphere Is the Film’s Biggest Victory

Puri’s direction, backed by meticulous production design by Madhumita Sen and Ajay Sharma, brings 90s Delhi alive through sepia warmth, narrow lanes, and a soft haze of nostalgia. As the first theatrical project from Manish Malhotra’s Stage5 banner, the film showcases an unmistakable attention to visual texture and wardrobe authenticity — unmistakably Malhotra’s polish.

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What Works — and What Doesn’t

The Strengths

• Naseeruddin Shah’s towering presence anchors the film. His performance gives Aziz the dignity and stubbornness of a man who worships his words more than the world ever could.

• Vijay Varma slips comfortably into the role of Nawaz, especially shining in the finale where his emotional arc lands with sincerity.

• Vishal Bhardwaj’s music, especially the haunting title track Ul Jalool Ishq, enriches the film’s melancholic mood.

• The film’s exploration of art vs. commercialization offers soulful reflection in an era dominated by content overload.

Aziz’s line — “What kind of poet needs the marketplace to validate him?” — becomes a thematic spine, capturing the film’s love for art that exists simply because it must.

Where the Film Stumbles

• The first half is indulgent, overflowing with ornate Urdu dialogues that may alienate viewers not fluent in the language.

• The pacing stretches thin; the film wanders before finding its emotional core in the second half.

• The romance between Nawaz and Mannat, though tender, takes longer than necessary to ignite.

But once the narrative tightens, the film begins to resonate deeply, rewarding patient viewers with emotional clarity.

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Performances

• Naseeruddin Shah: Outstanding, grounding the film with layered nuance.

• Vijay Varma: Effortless and engaging, particularly in moments of vulnerability.

• Fatima Sana Shaikh: Warm and compelling, though her character is sometimes underserved by the screenplay.

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Final Verdict: 4/5

Gustaakh Ishq is not a sweeping, breathless romance — it is a gentle, meandering one. It tests your patience, yes, but also rewards it. The film leaves you with a soft afterglow and a reminder that art, like love, sometimes reveals its meaning only to those willing to wait.