The Bollywood box office witnessed a clash of contrasting love stories on November 28, 2025. While Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh's period romance 'Gustaakh Ishq' premiered, it faced direct competition from Dhanush and Kriti Sanon's intense drama 'Tere Ishq Mein'. The two films have since charted vastly different trajectories, with one struggling to find an audience and the other racing ahead.
A Struggle for 'Gustaakh Ishq' at the Ticket Windows
According to early estimates from industry tracker Sacnilk, Vibhu Puri's directorial venture 'Gustaakh Ishq' managed to collect only Rs 13 lakh on its first Tuesday, which was its fifth day in theatres. This figure, though low, represents a slight improvement from its disastrous first Monday, where the film hit its lowest point with earnings of just Rs 7 lakh.
The film's journey began with an opening day collection of Rs 50 lakh on Friday, November 28. However, the numbers saw a consistent decline over the weekend, dropping to Rs 45 lakh on Saturday and further to Rs 35 lakh on Sunday. With these figures, the total net collection of the film in the Indian market has reached approximately Rs 1.50 crore. The gross collection stands at around Rs 1.65 crore domestically.
Occupancy and Screenings Show a Glimmer of Hope
The minor growth from Monday to Tuesday can be attributed to positive word-of-mouth and a strategic increase in screenings. On Monday, the film was shown in 2,401 shows across the country with an overall occupancy rate of 5.8%. By Tuesday, the number of shows was reduced to 426, but the occupancy saw a significant jump to 10.8%, indicating a more concentrated audience interest.
'Tere Ishq Mein' Dominates the Competition
In stark contrast, Anand L. Rai's 'Tere Ishq Mein', starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, has emerged as the clear winner of the box office clash. Despite also experiencing a drop in numbers on its first Monday, the film has massively outperformed its competitor. The love story has successfully crossed the coveted Rs 70 crore mark in the domestic market, establishing a strong hold over audiences.
Critical Reception of 'Gustaakh Ishq'
Produced by designer Manish Malhotra in his debut production role, 'Gustaakh Ishq' has been received as a gentle film. Critics noted that while it could have taken greater emotional risks, it leaves a mark with its poetic sensibility, music, and performances. The narrative, set in the 1990s and packed with nostalgia, has been described as creating beautiful individual moments rather than a powerfully cohesive whole. The overall feeling is one of quiet admiration, resulting in a restrained and slightly unsatisfying aftertaste for some viewers.
The film's box office performance underscores the challenging nature of the theatrical landscape, where even well-mounted productions with popular stars need strong narrative momentum and widespread audience connect to survive against formidable competition.
