Stage 5 Production’s Gustaakh Ishq (UA) is the story of an aged shaayar, his daughter and a young man who owns a printing press. Pappan (Vijay Varma) and his younger brother, Jumman (Rohan Verma) are owners of a printing press. The press is running into losses, because of which Jumman is not very happy. He blames Pappan for the losses. Pappan is very keen to print a book of the shairies of Aziz (Naseeruddin Shah) and even goes to the town where he lives. He befriends Aziz and tries to convince him to let him print a book of his shairies. But Aziz is unwilling to do so. Even as Pappan is trying his level best to get Aziz to acede to his request, he falls in love with Aziz’s daughter, Minni (Fatima Sana Shaikh). What happens to the love story? And is Pappan able to realise his dream of printing a book of Aziz’s shairies?
Vibhu Puri and Pradhant Jha have penned a story which belongs to a different era. The story moves on two tracks. Besides, there are back stories of the lead characters and hence there is enough scope for drama. The duo’s screenplay moves at a very easy pace and would, therefore, appeal to the classes more than the masses. Even otherwise, there is precious little in the drama for the mass audience. The scenes between Aziz and Pappan have their own charm while those between Pappan and Minni have their own. The conflict looks a bit contrived. What the drama lacks are emotions. Had there been three or four solid scenes which could move the viewers to tears, they would’ve added greatly to the drama. Dialogues, written by Vibhu Puri and Prashant Jha, are extraordinary. It is often delightful to listen to the conversations between the characters merely because of the brilliant dialogues.
Naseeruddin Shah does a wonderful job as Aziz/Babba. He lives the character. Vijay Varma is an absolute revelation as Pappan. His performance is so natural and cute that his character becomes very endearing. Fatima Sana Shaikh delivers a very natural performance in the role of Minni. She stands her own. Sharib Hashmi provides lovely support as Bhoore. Rohan Verma is extraordinary as Pappan’s younger brother, Jumman. His free style of acting will win him fans. Liliput Faruqui makes a mark as Faruqui. Natasha Rastogi leaves a fine impression as Ammi. Shashi Bhushan (as Misra), Keshav Sadhna (as Parvez), Jaya Bhattacharya (as Khadeeja), Sameeksha Tripathi (as Amrita), Garima Singh (as young Ammi), Saurabh Bagga (as young Faruqui), Saarthak Arya (as young Pappan), and the others lend able support.
Vibhu Puri’s direction is mature. Having said that, it must be added that his narrative style, like the script, would appeal to the classes mainly. Vishal Bhardwaj’s music is very soothing. The Ul julool song is superb; the other numbers are melodious. But none of the songs is a chartbuster. Gulzar’s lyrics are fabulous. Hitesh Sonik’s background music is impactful. Manushnandan’s cinematography is outstanding. Born4 Action’s action and stunts are functional. There is actually hardly any scope for action scenes or stunts. Madhumita Sen and Ajay Sharma’s production designing is of a fine standard. Divyashree Samantaray’s editing is reasonably sharp but could’ve been crisper.
On the whole, Gustaakh Ishq is a well-made film with lovely performances by the lead actors, but its box-office prospects are weak because it doesn’t have much for the masses. It is like poetry on celluloid.
Released on 28-11-’25 at Inox (daily 3 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PVR Inox Pictures. Publicity: fair. Opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.
