Bollywood’s ace designer, Manish Malhotra, turns film producer with the romantic entertainer Gustaakh Ishq, starring an ensemble cast that includes Naseeruddin Shah, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Vijay Varma, and Sharib Hashmi, among others. The film is set against the enchanting backdrop of Old Delhi, in which the plot interweaves poetry, love, and mystery so beautifully that it is expected to engage viewers upon its release on November 28.
Created under Stage5 Production and directed by Vibhu Puri, the trailer for Gustaakh Ishq whisks one away to the teeming, yet soulful lanes of Old Delhi. The film opens with Vijay Varma as Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rahman, an ambitious youngster wanting to learn the art of poetry from the renowned poet Aziz Sahib, essayed by Naseeruddin Shah. However, things take an unexpected turn in his life as he comes across Aziz’s beautiful daughter, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh, who works as a local school teacher. The hidden glances between them soon evolve into a tender romance, which is forbidden and forms the emotional core of the story.
The trailer juggles romance and intrigue so seamlessly, with a shocking twist leading into a murder mystery that keeps audiences guessing until the very end. The lines by the great Gulzar shine with depth and lyrical beauty, elevating the emotional quotient of the film. Coupled with the poetic writing, the soulful music by Vishal Bhardwaj is equally fitting as it captures the old-world charm and emotional intensity of the narrative so well.
The highlights of the trailer are the fresh pairing of Fatima Sana Shaikh and Vijay Varma with an old-school romance, which looks quite credible and magnetic; meanwhile, Naseeruddin Shah presents gravitas through his commanding presence and nuanced performance.
With its heady mix of classic romance, lyrical storytelling, and suspense, Gustaakh Ishq looks set to be a cinematic treat for lovers of poetry and mystery alike.
