Hindi cinema is kind of going through a crisis of fresh and daring stories. So it’s safe to say that whenever a film that promises something new and creative comes to the market, the hopes are high. Vibhu Puri’s Gustaakh Ishq, starring Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Naseeruddin Shah, promised us a world of old-school romance and twists. This film also marks fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s debut as a producer. While Gustaakh Ishq does have a few memorable moments for movie buffs, especially if you are a fan of shayaris, it also has major drawbacks that took my attention away in no time! Here’s a quick review of the performances and the story! Read on.
Plot
Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rahman (Vijay Varma) is determined to save his printing press at cost, despite having a very non-supportive brother. To achieve this sole purpose of life, he schemes of manipulating one of the most popular shayars during his father’s time known as Aziz (Naseeruddin Shah). Nawabbudin pretends to become Aziz’s student and learn how to write poetries from him, but that is only a pretext to somehow convince Aziz into printing his work, as it was the last resort for Nawabuddin to save his printing press.
Minni (Fatima Sana Shaikh) is the daughter of Aziz, but Nawabuddin gradually falls for her. Life doesn’t go as planned for Nawabuddin after he uncovers some shocking revelations during this process, and there are some tragic incidents that happen too. It’s only in the end that we get a closure about Nawabuddin’s printing press and of course, his love life!
Screenplay
The first half of the film had me hooked despite a slow place. With the characters being introduced, the plot setting up, and lots of shaayaris had my interest. There are some comic moments too and they are placed very organically. Naseeruddin Shah as Aziz is just the perfect fit, as he doubles of the experience of watching this character with his nuanced performance. All the conflicts are build in the first, especially around Nawabuddin’s life personal and professional life. Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh’s old-school romance is quite refreshing. The film visually looks pretty too with the charming aesthetics of Delhi and Punjab in the 90s. However, one thing that kept bothering me from the very start was the hurried transitions and the lack of continuity between several scenes.
And then came the very disappointing second half. The film completely lost sight of its own purpose! All the conflicts that were created in the beginning, especially Nawabbudin’s desperate need to revive his printing press against all odds got lost in a lot of drama and chaos. The second half of the film is stuffed with unnecessary turn of events, only to raise anticipation around what will happen next but the writing fails to impress.
The idea of Nawabbudin trying to convince a poet who thinks that his work is not worth some few pennies was quite interesting, but the story doesn’t do justice to it. Instead it turns into a generic drama that tries too hard to evoke empathy for all the characters, but agains fails to do so. Fatima Sana Shaikh’s character remains in the background, even though her connection to Aziz as his daughter could have placed her at the centre of these conflicts. The role and contribution of many characters don’t add up in the end. Especially, Nawabbudin’s brother Jumman (Rohan Verma). In the first half, this character’s irritating and confrontational presence seems importance, but this sub-plot goes nowhere too. Even Ataichi’s (Sharib Hashmi) character does not get a good ending, feels abrupt too. There are many scenes in the film that do nothing to add up to the story. Even the dark past of Aziz seems undercooked. And therefore, these faults diminish any kind of shock value in the end.
Also Read: What To Watch From November 24 To November 30: Tere Ishk Mein, Gustaakh Ishq, Zootopia 2, And More!
Performances
Vijay Varma as Nawabuddin delivers an impressive performance. His character is innocent, yet flirty, he tries to be a pretentious man and yet he is honest, he does not hesitate from hitting men who disrespect women but he does nothing when his younger brother disrespects him. So yeah, Nawabbudin has a lot of contrasting shades, and Vijay Varma easily transitions into all of this. It’s cute when he attempts those truly really bad shayaris!
Fatima Sana Shaikh as Minni has a very calm, composed, responsible and straightforward nature. The actor is just delightful to watch, especially when she gives a hard time to Nawabbudin. The innocence and the fierceness that Minni’s character needed, Fatima Sana Shaikh is the right fit here. Although, I really hoped to see more of her in the second half.
Naseeruddin Shah! Words are not enough to describe his charming presence on the screen. I had the best time watching Aziz. This problematic character was done absolute justice by Naseeruddin Shah, and one cannot blink their eyes when he is on the big screen!
All the other supporting actors especially Sharib Hashmi and Rohan Verma are convincing in their performances.
Verdict
Gustaakh Ishq starring Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana and Naseeruddin Shah fails to live up to its potential. It had a lot of interesting elements like the basic premise around a poet and a printing shop owner, or the beautiful shayaris, the soothing songs, all hinting at an interesting concept. However, the writing falls short of creativity, and what promises to be something refreshing, turns into an unsatisfying drama, that left me disappointed. The performances, however are note-worthy. Gustaakh Ishq is releasing in theatres on November 28.