Gustaakh Ishq Review: A Wannabe Poetic Tragedy Turns Into a Dull Affair

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ 2/5*

Gustaakh Ishq Review Movie Talkies:

The days of Mirza Ghalib, Barsaat Ki Raat, Mughal-E-Azam and Pakeezah—the era of lyrical romance and soul-stirring poetry—are long gone. We no longer witness those spellbinding dialogues filled with metaphor and timeless grace. Several filmmakers have tried to revive that charm, including Sanjay Leela Bhansali, but even he hasn’t fully recaptured the lost glory. Now, Vibhu Puri, once an AD under SLB, attempts to rekindle that poetic flame through Gustaakh Ishq. The fire does ignite initially with its visual and thematic appeal, but the film soon reveals itself as a hollow experience—an empty soul pretending to be profound. It almost becomes a good film, but ultimately collapses into a senseless and disappointing climax.

Gustaakh Ishq Story:

The story follows Pappan (Vijay Varma), a financially struggling printing press owner whose life is crumbling as quickly as his business. He seeks help from Aziz (Naseeruddin Shah), a once-celebrated poet who has mysteriously stopped writing. Pappan believes that publishing Aziz’s poetry could resurrect both Aziz’s legacy and his own press. However, the poet remains stubbornly resistant. Meanwhile, Pappan grows close to Aziz’s daughter Minni (Fatima Sana Shaikh), who has recently gone through a divorce. Their sweet and evolving love story brings some warmth into the narrative. But soon, chaos arrives—relationships strain, misunderstandings grow, and Aziz’s health begins to deteriorate. The film raises a question: Will Pappan lose love, livelihood, and hope all at once?

BLOCKBUSTER START! Dhanush & Kriti Sanon's Tere Ishk Mein Roars At The Box Office With A Massive Opening –

Gustaakh Ishq does have certain emotional and poetic strengths that can maintain interest for about two hours, but the problems become glaring in the finale. A film without a strong ending feels incomplete—and here, the ending practically betrays the audience’s investment. Pappan’s repetitive conflicts with his brother, the random break-ups and then conveniently funny reconciliations with Minni, make the characters feel unreliable and inconsistently written. Aziz’s hidden trauma is built up as a major twist, but once revealed, the impact is underwhelming. The hints about his womanizing past are so obvious throughout that saving it for the climax feels pointless and lazy. Then there’s the logic issue: If Aziz never wanted his poetry printed under his own name, why did he wait till his mansion was on the verge of being sold? The solution he offers in the end could have been applied long before things got out of hand. Having the intellectual weight of a poet like Aziz in the story should demand a smarter narrative approach—but instead, every major character ends up behaving below their own intelligence levels. Despite the messy writing, the screenplay at least maintains a decent pace, which is a relief; otherwise, this drama could have easily turned into a snooze-fest.

Gustaakh Ishq Cast:

On the performance front, Vijay Varma delivers a genuinely impressive act. He shines as a lead and proves once again that he deserves more opportunities to play strong protagonist roles. His quiet sensitivity and controlled emotional portrayal add dignity to Pappan’s character. Fatima Sana Shaikh, with her soft charm and cute dimples, leaves a pleasant impression in every frame she appears. Naseeruddin Shah, being the legend he is, effortlessly elevates even the weakest dialogues—his presence alone brings depth that the writing couldn’t provide. Sharib Hashmi once again proves he’s one of the most dependable supporting actors today, and the rest of the cast, including Mohan Verma and Natasha Rastogi, play their parts convincingly.

Kartik Aaryan Goes Shirtless, Steals The Spotlight With Hook Step In Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri Title Track –

Gustaakh Ishq Movie Review:

Technically, the film is quite pleasing. It is beautifully shot—its cinematography deserves a special mention for recreating the poetic vibe the story aims for. The production design is rich and classy despite the modest budget; the sets, props, and interiors successfully transport you into the film’s intended era. The costumes are gorgeous as well. Although Gustaakh Ishq is set in the 90s, the color palette and atmosphere feel more like a film from the 60s or 70s, which works visually, though it may confuse some viewers. The music tries to maintain a soulful aura—lyrics are poetic, melodies are soft—but unfortunately, none of the songs stay with you afterward. Instead of enhancing the narrative, they drag the pacing at times. Vibhu Puri’s direction remains too rooted in old-school melodrama, and while the intention is admirable, the execution rarely stands out. In the end, Gustaakh Ishq is a poetic dream that nearly takes flight but loses its wings right when it needs them most. A beautiful setup, commendable performances, and aesthetic filmmaking are undone by a weak, illogical climax that robs the film of its emotional impact. It could have been a truly touching love story with artistic depth—but sadly, it remains just a wannabe poetic tragedy.

Stay tuned to Movie Talkies' website and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), along with our YouTube channel, for the latest updates, breaking news, box office reports, movie reviews, celebrity spotting, and interviews from Bollywood, television, OTT, Hollywood, and regional cinema, including South Indian films.