The romantic drama "Gustaakh Ishq," starring Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh, is struggling at the box office. Released on November 28, 2025, the film saw a significant drop in collections on its sixth day, earning only an estimated ₹6 lakh. This brings the film's total domestic collection to ₹1.55 crore.
The film had an overall 6.12% Hindi occupancy on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. "Gustaakh Ishq" showed initial promise, performing well in its first five days and earning an estimated ₹1.5 crore India net. However, after a low opening weekend of ₹1.25 crore, the film only managed to add ₹30 lakh to its total, with daily earnings of ₹10 lakh each on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Directed by Vibhu Puri and produced by Manish Malhotra, "Gustaakh Ishq" is set in the 1990s and attempts to capture the charm and romance of that era. The story revolves around Nawabuddin (Vijay Varma), a young man trying to save his father's printing press, and his relationship with the poet Aziz (Naseeruddin Shah) and Aziz's daughter, Minni (Fatima Sana Shaikh).
Critics have noted the film's slow and gentle approach, reminiscent of a handwritten letter in a time before smartphones. The film is praised for its beautiful visuals, strong performances, and the nostalgic atmosphere it creates. Vijay Varma's performance, in particular, has been highlighted as a refreshing departure from his darker roles, with the actor effortlessly embodying a romantic lead. Naseeruddin Shah is also commended for his portrayal of the Urdu poet, adding charm and depth to the film.
However, the film has also faced criticism for its uneven pacing, underdeveloped love story, and predictable plot. Some critics feel that the relationship between Nawabuddin and Minni lacks sufficient emotional build-up, making it difficult to fully invest in their romance. The film's reliance on heavy Urdu dialogue and poetry has also been seen as excessive, overshadowing the characters and their relationships. The music, with the exception of "Ul Jalool Ishq," has been described as failing to reach the emotional pitch the story demands.
Despite its shortcomings, "Gustaakh Ishq" is appreciated for its old-school charm and sincerity, offering a refreshing contrast to the loud action films and formulaic comedies that dominate Bollywood today. It evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting viewers to a time of slow winter walks, stolen glances, and unspoken feelings. However, its slow pace and lack of compelling conflict may not appeal to all audiences.
As "Gustaakh Ishq" continues its run in theaters, it faces increasing competition from other releases, including "Dhurandhar" starring Ranveer Singh and "Tere Ishq Mein" starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon. "Tere Ishq Mein" has already crossed ₹100 crore gross worldwide. With the current trends, "Gustaakh Ishq" is expected to struggle further at the box office.
