"High-Five" appreciation from Netizens, from mega-star Ajay Devgn--for iconic Manish Malhotra’s Gustaakh Ishq trailer---old-school romance starring Naseer, Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sharib Hashmi !! By Sr. Journalist Chaitanya Padukone

Internationally acclaimed iconic fashion designer, couturier, and innovative genius Manish Malhotra has now turned "big-time" Hindi film-producer! That's because under his new banner 'Stage 5 Production'  Manish has three movies in the production pipeline, which would be released in due course. one-by-one in subsequent months!  Creative maverick Manish needs to be highly appreciated for his gritty guts to deviate from the currently in-vogue formula filmy-norm of brutal violence and dare-bare romantic intimacy. And turn 'producer' of a different yet refreshingly endearing warm old-school tender-romance movie 'Gustaakh Ishq' --whose alluring tag-line is 'Kuchh Pehle Jaisa'. This movie releases on Friday, November 28th!  

 The much-anticipated trailer of Manish Malhotra’s Gustaakh Ishq is out, and it has already cast a magical spell among the audiences for its old-school charm and a classic mix of shaayris and steady love ( not instant and not fast-forward)! For Manish Malhotra, this film marks his first-debut cinematic production under "Stage 5 Production", a romantic drama that celebrates classic love and warm passion. Directed by Vibhu Puri ( of iconic OTT shows 'Heeramandi' and 'Taj-Reign of Revenge' fame), movie Gustaakh Ishq brings together an ensemble cast of legend Naseeruddin Shah, 'hot-male' Vijay Varma ( of 'Darlings', 'Dahaad' and 'Jaane Jaan' fame) stunningly charming Fatima Sana Shaikh ( of 'Dangal' . 'Sam Bahadur' and 'Aap Jaisa Koi' fame) and Sharib Hashmi ( of 'The Family Man' series, 'Fighter' ' Ufff Yeh Siyapaa' fame) in their most exciting roles yet! The movie releases on Friday, November 28th!

None other than mega-star Ajay Devgn has given a special shout-out and appreciated the trailer of  'Gustaakh Ishq' and recommended  it on his social media as a "heart-warming memorable story with nostalgic Old Delhi saga of romance"

On 10th November, the makers of Gustaakh Ishq unveiled the film’s trailer, and it struck an instant emotional chord with the audiences and viewers!  Netizens invaded the comment section to praise the film’s poetic theme, stating that Bollywood needed something like this for a long time! A user wrote, “This is how romantic films should ideally be made!” and another wrote, “The trailer is giving ‘tum, mai aur do cup chai’ vibes!”. A comment read, “This trailer feels like a warm hug on a rainy day!” and another read, “Can’t wait to watch this one on a big screen.” A user wrote, “Every dialogue hits straight to the heart.”

Considering that the film’s album has found its place in the audience’s hearts, one user commented, “Vishal Bhardwaj’s music always creates another world,” and another captured the magnetic chemistry between macho, handsome Vijay Varma and beautiful Fatima Sana Shaikh and stated, “The way Fatima looks at Vijay - Uff that’s real cinema!”

Beyond just being a romantic drama, Gustaakh Ishq brings back the nostalgia of classic romance with the magic of shaayaris and soothing melodies - serving a film that can be experienced mainly on the big screens!

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With 'Gustaakh Ishq' multi-talented Manish Malhotra embarks on an exciting new chapter as a producer under his own banner "Stage 5 Production" - with a film that seamlessly blends classic storytelling while embracing the future of Indian cinema. Produced alongside his brother Dinesh Malhotra, Gustaakh Ishq is directed by Vibhu Puri, and it unfolds as a poignant love story of passion and unspoken desire, set amidst the by-lanes of Purani Dilli and the fading kothis of Punjab. The film releases in theatres on Friday, 28th November.

When I asked Manish ( whom i know from past three decades) as to 'Why' his new banner is called " 'Stage 5 Production', he explained by saying that "film production is the latest Fifth Stage in his glorious career--- the previous Four being Modeling, Costume-Designing, Branding, and Jewelry. Secondly, the Number: 5 is his lucky-mascot number---also because his birthday falls on December 5th!

  
Naseeruddin Shah embraces the role of a erudite poetic-guide Ustaad Shaayar who embodies wisdom, and he is also Fatima’s on-screen father.. While Vijay Varma plays a shaayari student who falls for Fatima’s alluring charm, screen character. Versatile, vivacious star actress Fatima is a lively school-teacher whose presence and performance shine with her poetic and normal dialogues

The romantic on-screen chemistry between Vijay Varma and Fatima is revealed in a tender yet powerful narrative-flow thus signifying a love story made of longing, belonging, and silences. The crisp performance of Sharib Hashmi contributes to the cast’s richness, and at the same time, the brilliant cinematography by Manush Nandan and slick editing by Divyashree make the visuals nostalgic and heartfelt. The stunning score of  09 National Film Awards winning genius composer, modest Vishal Bhardwaj, combined with the heart-wrenching lyrics of Oscar-Award-winning Gulzar-saab and the soulful voices of Arijit Singh, Shilpa Rao, Papon, elevates the emotional visual content to a very high level.

FAQs

Question 1: When is Gustakh Ishq releasing?

Answer: The film is releasing on Friday, November 28, 2025.

Question 2: Who is the producer of the film?

Answer: The film is produced by renowned fashion designer and couturier Manish Malhotra, who has produced it under his banner 'Stage 5 Productions'.

Question 3: Who directed the film?

Answer: The film is directed by Vibhu Puri, who is famous for the OTT shows 'Heeramandi' and 'Taj - Reign of Revenge'.

Question 4: Who are the main actors in the film?

Answer: The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sharib Hashmi in lead roles.

Question 5: What is the theme and style of the film?

Answer: It is a classic romantic drama film that showcases old-fashioned romance, poetry, and steadfast love.