The nostalgic romance film 'Gustaakh Ishq', starring Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh, continues to face a tough time at the domestic box office. As it entered its second weekend, the film witnessed a further decline in its collections, severely impacted by the new release 'Dhurandhar' starring Ranveer Singh.
Steep Decline in Seventh-Day Collections
According to early estimates reported by Sacnilk, 'Gustaakh Ishq' managed to collect only around Rs 7 lakh on its seventh day, which was Thursday, November 28. This marks another drop from its sixth-day collection of Rs 10 lakh. The film's total domestic collection now stands at a modest Rs 1.67 crore after one week in theatres.
The film, which opened on November 28, has seen consistently low numbers since its debut. It faced direct competition from the very first day, as Kriti Sanon and Dhanush's 'Tere Ishq Mein' also released on the same date and took a dominant position at the box office.
Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown
Here is a detailed look at the film's daily collections so far:
- Day 1 (1st Friday): Rs 0.5 crore
- Day 2 (1st Saturday): Rs 0.45 crore
- Day 3 (1st Sunday): Rs 0.35 crore
- Day 4 (1st Monday): Rs 0.07 crore
- Day 5 (1st Tuesday): Rs 0.13 crore
- Day 6 (1st Wednesday): Rs 0.1 crore
- Day 7 (1st Thursday): Rs 0.07 crore
The total collection after one week is Rs 1.67 crore.
Dhurandhar's Dominant Box Office Entry
The challenge for 'Gustaakh Ishq' intensified with the release of the spy thriller 'Dhurandhar'. Trade reports indicate that the Ranveer Singh-starrer garnered massive advance bookings, coming close to Rs 14 crore from block seats alone. Early predictions suggest the film has the potential for an opening day collection of Rs 20 crore or more.
If these predictions hold true, 'Dhurandhar' will become Ranveer Singh's highest opener in the post-pandemic era. The film has been receiving positive reviews from netizens, who are praising the thriller elements, though some audience members have pointed out the movie's length as a drawback.
Critical Reception of Gustaakh Ishq
Despite its box office performance, 'Gustaakh Ishq' received a moderately positive critical response. The film, set in the 1990s, was rated 3.5 out of 5 stars in a review that appreciated its old-fashioned charm and grace. The review noted that the film operates at a deliberately unhurried pace, creating a world soaked in 'tahzeeb' and 'adab'—values reminiscent of classic Hindi cinema.
However, the critique also mentioned that for all its refinement and sincerity, the narrative never quite rises to the level of greatness, which may have impacted its word-of-mouth and ultimately its commercial performance amidst stiff competition.
The film's struggle highlights the current competitive landscape of Bollywood, where major releases with big stars can overshadow smaller, niche films, even those with critical appreciation for their artistic approach and nostalgic value.
