'Gustaakh Ishq' X Review, Manish Malhotra's Film Wins The Internet With Magic Of Old-School Romance

Popular celebrity fashion designer, Manish Malhotra has officially stepped into the world of films by producing his first-ever Bollywood film, Gustaakh Ishq. The romantic drama, which was released on November 28, 2025, is directed by Vibhu Puri. Since, its release, the film and its narrative has been making quite some noise on social media. Read on to know what netizens have to say about the film. 

Manish Malhotra revives old-school romance with his first film

Gustaakh Ishq is a romantic film, which is set in the 1990s blends poetry, nostalgia and old-school romance in the perfect manner. The film follows 'Nawabuddin' (Vijay Varma), who tries to save his late father's printing press, to honour his legacy. In that process, he comes across some unpublished poetries of 'Aziz Beg' (Naseeruddin Shah). When 'Nawabuddin' meets 'Aziz' to convince him, he falls in love with his daughter, 'Minni' (Fatima Sana Shaikh). And what follows is a light hearted and feel-good love story. 

For the unversed, the film stars Fatima Sana Shaikh and Vijay Varma in lead. Apart from them, the film also includes Naseeruddin Shah and Sharib Hashmi in important roles. It is worth mentioning that the film was originally supposed to release on November 21, 2025, but it was later pushed by one week. The runtime of the film, Gustaakh Ishq is around 128 minutes. For those who don't know, the film premiered at the 56th International Film Festival of India.

Gustaakh Ishq receives positive response from netizens

As soon as the film, Gustaakh Ishq was released in theaters on November 28, 2025, a lot of fans took to their X (formerly Twitter) handles to share their reviews on the same. Surprisingly, the film received several positive responses. While some appreciated the chemistry between Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh, others hailed its narrative and pace. 

One user commented, "Loved #GustaakhIshq. A beautiful love story. Ishq hua pyar se. A slowly cooked daal makhni & alu parathas made with love over fast food of today. People who want stars to do something different, this is it." Another user wrote, "Amazing actors like @naseeruddin49 @itsvijayvarma @fatimasanashaikh @mrfilmistaani whose unforgettable performances leave an indelible mark." A third user shared a detailed review. A part of it can be read as:

"#GustaakhIshq Review. This is not just a film, it’s a beautifully written shayari, the kind that only Gulzaar saab’s soul could inspire. This film is for absolute cinema lovers, for those who enjoy storytelling that flows like poetry and visuals that feel like paintings."

Manish Malhotra on his first film

Earlier, in an interview with The Times Of India, Manish Malhotra had opened up about the film, Gustaakh Ishq, which marks his entry in the film industry as a producer. Talking about the same, he had shared that his love for cinema inspired him to become a designer, and that love made him produce a film. He was quoted as saying:

"My love for cinema began in childhood. The silver screen was my doorway to the world. Watching colours, clothes, music, and lifestyles unfold in cinema halls shaped my imagination and inspired me to become a designer. Today, stepping into film production feels like my way of giving back to the medium that has given me everything."

Have you watched Gustaakh Ishq? Share your reviews with us.

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