Gustaakh Ishq Review: Vijay Varma & Naseeruddin Shah Just Dropped pure Poetry and We Are Obsessed!

Okay, stop doom-scrolling and listen up, besties. If you’ve been complaining that Bollywood has lost its tehzeeb or that romance just feels like a Situationship these days, Gustaakh Ishq is here to fix your life. Dropping today (Nov 28), this movie is basically a love letter to everyone who thinks in Urdu poetry but texts in Gen-Z slang. Directed by Vibhu Puri, this isn't just a movie; it’s a whole mood. It’s giving "Main Character Energy" in 1998 Old Delhi, and honestly? The post-screening afterglow is real. Grab your tissues and your waah waahs, because we need to talk about this poetic masterpiece.

The Aesthetic: SLB-Coded but Make it Indie

Let’s spill the tea: You can tell director Vibhu Puri comes from the Sanjay Leela Bhansali School of Storytelling. The lighting? Orchestrated. The visuals? Casually precise. The vibe? Immaculate. The film takes us back to 1998. We meet Nawazuddin Saifuddin Rahman Rizvi (played by our internet boyfriend Vijay Varma), who is trying to save his family's dying Urdu printing press. The premise is giving major Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam energy, but swap the grand palace for the misty mustard fields of Punjab and a dying art form. It’s vintage, it’s nostalgic, and it’s visually stunning without trying too hard.

The Acting: A Legendary Baton Pass

We need to talk about the casting because it is chefs kiss.

• Vijay Varma (Nawaz): He starts off with some ulterior motives (a bit of a beige flag, tbh), pretending to be a student to the legendary poet Aziz Baig just to steal his work and save his business. But watching him shift from a hustler to a true romantic? He served.

• Naseeruddin Shah (Aziz Baig): The GOAT. He plays the reclusive, retired shaayar with a backstory that only he can humanize. The scenes between him and Vijay act as a literal passing of the baton. It’s not just acting; it’s a masterclass.

• Fatima Sana Shaikh (Mannat): She is the reticent daughter who sees right through Nawaz but gives him a chance anyway. Their chemistry? Slow burn perfection.

The Sound: Gulzar Sahab & Vishal Bhardwaj Magic

The internet is screaming because the OG duo is back. Gulzar’s lyrics + Vishal Bhardwaj’s compositions = absolute magic. The track ‘Aap Is Dhoop Mein’ features haunting guitar riffs that will live rent-free in your head. In a world where Hindi is often "bastardised or exoticised," this film uses Urdu not as an aesthetic, but as a character. The dialogue is flowery, the verbal jousts are sharp, and for once, you actually want to stay inside the song sequences.

The Verdict: A Survival Drama Disguised as Romance

Don't get it twisted this is a survival drama. It’s about the survival of a time, a fabric, an identity, and the Urdu language. Sure, the climax feels a bit like a "talented batsman stumbling in the dying seconds of a match," but the journey? Absolute gold. It’s a film that trusts in "choreographed autonomy." It’s flawed, yes, but in a musical way that makes you forgive it instantly.

The TL;DR

• Movie Title: Gustaakh Ishq

• Release Date: Friday, November 28, 2025

• Director: Vibhu Puri

• Cast: Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharib Hashmi

• Music: Vishal Bhardwaj & Gulzar

• Runtime: 2 Hours 8 Minutes

• The Vibe: Period Drama, Poetic Romance, Mentor-Protégé

• Review Rating: Vintage Vibes Done Right (4/5 stars)

Fans Also Asked (FAQs)

What is the plot of Gustaakh Ishq releasing in 2025? It’s a period drama set in 1998 where a young man (Vijay Varma) from Old Delhi travels to Punjab to pose as a student of a reclusive poet (Naseeruddin Shah) to save his family's Urdu printing press, only to fall in love with the poet's daughter.

Is Gustaakh Ishq based on a true story? No, the film is a fictional narrative written by Vibhu Puri and Prasshant Jha, though it draws heavily on the real cultural erosion of the Urdu language and the "old-world charm" of the late 90s.

Who composed the music for Gustaakh Ishq? The legendary duo Gulzar (lyrics) and Vishal Bhardwaj (music) reunited for this album, delivering tracks that fans are calling "hauntingly beautiful."

Is Gustaakh Ishq a remake of DDLJ or Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam? Not a remake! However, reviews compare its premise to Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (student-teacher dynamic) and its setting to DDLJ (mustard fields of Punjab), calling it a tribute to those classic eras.