Gustaakh Ishq arrives on JioHotstar today, offering a refreshing poetic romance amid 2026’s action-heavy OTT slate. Directed by Vibhu Puri and backed by Manish Malhotra, this 1998-set drama stars Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh in a tender tale of deception blooming into love, anchored by Naseeruddin Shah’s masterful shayari.
Movie Details
| Release Date | 28 November, 2025 |
| OTT Release Date | 27 January, 2026 |
| Our Rating | ⭐⭐⭐(3/5 stars) |
| Genre | Romance | Drama |
| Cast | Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharib Hashmi |
| Director | Vibhu Puri |
| Writer | Vibhu Puri, Prasshant Jha |
| Duration | 2 hours 8 minutes |
Cast Breakdown
Vijay Varma delivers as Pappan Rizvi, morphing from sly publisher to vulnerable lover with effortless charm. His Old Delhi mannerisms and emotional cracks make Pappan’s arc believable and engaging.
Fatima Sana Shaikh shines as Mannat, Aziz Beg’s defiant daughter—her wit and warmth cut through the poetry, creating electric chemistry with Varma. Naseeruddin Shah owns every frame as the reclusive shayar; his measured gravitas and verse delivery evoke Urdu masters like Ghalib.
Sharib Hashmi grounds the ensemble with understated reliability. This cast elevates familiar tropes into something intimate and authentic.
Plot
Pappan races to save his fading Urdu press by tricking reclusive poet Aziz Beg into publishing a rare work. Posing as a disciple in Punjab, he collides with Mannat, sparking an undeniable attraction that upends his hustle.
Vibhu Puri prioritizes mood over momentum: chai stalls, rain-slicked galis, and shayari duels build a nostalgic cocoon. The 120-minute runtime lingers on quiet moments—vulnerable confessions, poetry as foreplay—without dragging.
Mid-film pacing dips during exposition, but the climax ties deception, family, and redemption with graceful restraint. It’s no edge-of-seat thriller, but a deliberate ode to love’s slow burn.
Technical Brilliance
Cinematography captures 1998 India’s textures beautifully—hazy Delhi mornings, Punjab’s golden fields, and analog printing presses humming with history. Production design nails the era without caricature.
The shayari-heavy soundtrack weaves original ghazals into emotional peaks, rivaling AR Rahman’s lyricism. Editing stays patient, letting silences breathe—rare in today’s cut-happy streaming era.
Gustaakh Ishq OTT Release Date
After a decent theatrical run, the JioHotstar drop on January 27, 2026, fuels fresh excitement. Reviewers rate it 3/5 for graceful storytelling—think Mirza Ghalib poetry vibes, not blockbuster action. Pair it in your OTT roundups with Dhurandhar thrills or Shrinking S3 humor for balanced recommendations.
Viewer Guide
- Language: Hindi with English subtitles on JioHotstar.
- Runtime: ~120 minutes, perfect for one sitting.
- Genre: Romantic drama; mild themes suit families.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Hits:
- Stellar trio chemistry feels lived-in, not manufactured
- Shayari elevates rom-com beats into literature
- Nostalgic without pandering; universal emotions ground specificity
Misses:
- Predictable arc won’t surprise genre veterans
- Supporting characters feel sketched, not fleshed out
- Subtlety borders on sluggish for ADHD viewers
Final Verdict
Gustaakh Ishq isn’t revolutionary, but its poetic heart beats true. Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh prove Hindi cinema’s romantics remain vital. Stream now on JioHotstar (January 27, 2026 premiere) before busier February drops crowd it out.
Verdict: Worth the watch for souls who still believe in shayari-spun love.
FAQs
A: Vijay Varma as Pappan Rizvi, Fatima Sana Shaikh as Mannat, and Naseeruddin Shah as poet Aziz Beg, with Sharib Hashmi in a key role.
A: Yes for poetic romance fans—rated 3.5/5 for chemistry and shayari, though pacing suits patient viewers over action seekers.
A: Around 120 minutes; romantic drama with Urdu poetry elements—family-friendly with mild themes.
