Nostalgic Romance 'Gustaakh Ishq' Fails to Ignite Box Office
The romantic drama 'Gustaakh Ishq', starring Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh, arrived in theaters this Friday, bringing with it the charming essence of 1990s romance. Directed by Vibhu Puri, the film has been praised for its focus on old-school romance, beautifully layered with nostalgia and poetry. However, despite the critical appreciation for its subtle approach, the movie has faced significant challenges in attracting audiences to cinema halls.
Disappointing Box Office Numbers
The film's performance at the box office has been underwhelming. According to early estimates from Sacnilk, 'Gustaakh Ishq' managed to gross below Rs. 1 crore in its first two days of release. The film opened with an estimated collection of Rs. 50 lakh on its first day. Unfortunately, it saw a slight dip on the second day, Saturday, collecting approximately Rs. 45 lakhs. This brings its total domestic collection to a mere Rs. 95 lakhs after two days.
Low Occupancy Rates Tell the Story
The audience turnout for the film has been consistently low. On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the overall Hindi occupancy for 'Gustaakh Ishq' was recorded at just 10.24%. The day started slowly with morning shows seeing only 4.40% occupancy. While there was a slight improvement during the afternoon (9.78%) and a more noticeable rise in the evening (11.33%) and night shows (15.43%), the numbers were not enough to create a substantial impact.
Stiff Competition from 'Tere Ishq Mein'
The struggle for 'Gustaakh Ishq' was amplified by the roaring success of its direct competitor, the Aanand L Rai production 'Tere Ishq Mein' starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon. This film has been generating significant buzz and lived up to its hype with strong box office returns. After a powerful opening of Rs. 16 crore, the film collected an impressive Rs. 17 crore on Saturday. This takes its two-day total to a massive Rs. 33 crore, completely overshadowing the collection of 'Gustaakh Ishq', which failed to even cross the Rs. 1 crore mark.
Critical Reception: A Breath of Fresh Air That Lacks Punch
The critical response to the film has been mixed but leaning towards positive. The movie received a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars in a review that described it as a "breath of fresh air" in an era dominated by loud action films and horror comedies. The film was applauded for shifting focus back to people, conversations, and small emotions. The exchanges between the characters Nawabuddin and Aziz were highlighted as the quiet backbone of the film, with the shayari (written by Ashok Singh Mizaz) adding to its lingering appeal. The chemistry between the actors sharing the frame as mentor and student was also noted as a pleasure to watch.
However, the review also pointed out significant flaws. For a film rooted in drama and romance, these elements were criticized for never fully blooming. The pivotal interval point was said to pass without leaving a significant mark, and the love story between Nawabuddin and Minni was described as unfolding so subtly that it often felt like an afterthought. Ultimately, while the film sets the right mood and means well, the screenplay was found lacking in achieving the sharp emotional peaks it seemed to be reaching for.
In conclusion, 'Gustaakh Ishq' represents a bold attempt to revisit a classic form of romance but has stumbled at the commercial box office, failing to make a mark against a formidable competitor and struggling to convert its critical appreciation into financial success.
