Set against the fading ink of the 1990s and steeped in the lyrical fragrance of Urdu poetry, Gustaakh Ishq: Kuch Pehle Jaisa is not just a romantic drama—it is a soulful meditation on love, loyalty, legacy, and loss. Directed with quiet restraint by Vibhu Puri and produced under the banner of Stage5 Productions, the film marks an important milestone as fashion maestro Manish Malhotra’s debut as a film producer, and it shows an unmistakable sensitivity to aesthetics, emotion, and nostalgia.
From the very first frame, Gustaakh Ishq: Kuch Pehle Jaisa announces its intention to slow down, to let silences speak, and to allow words—spoken, written, and unsaid—to carry weight. This is cinema that trusts its audience to listen, feel, and reflect.
A Story Rooted in Ink and Inheritance
At the heart of the film is Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rahman, fondly called Pappan (Vijay Varma), a young poet living in poverty in Daryaganj, Old Delhi. His life revolves around one fading yet powerful symbol: his late father’s printing press. The press is not merely a machine—it is heritage, dignity, and unfinished dreams pressed into iron and paper.
Pappan’s journey takes him to Maler Kotla, Punjab, in search of Aziz Baig (Naseeruddin Shah), a legendary Urdu poet who has withdrawn from the literary world and now lives anonymously as a watch-repair shop owner. What begins as a desperate attempt to save a printing press gradually transforms into a deeper pursuit: mastery of language, rediscovery of purpose, and ultimately, love.
As Pappan becomes Aziz Baig’s disciple, he also grows close to Mannat, or Minni (Fatima Sana Shaikh), the poet’s daughter—a schoolteacher separated from her husband and quietly carrying her own emotional burdens. Their bond develops gently, almost hesitantly, mirroring the old-world romance the film celebrates. But love here is not easy or indulgent; it is conflicted, restrained, and morally complicated.
Performances That Breathe Life into Poetry
Vijay Varma delivers one of his most restrained and sincere performances to date. As Pappan, he balances youthful ambition with vulnerability, portraying a man torn between personal desire and inherited responsibility. His body language, hesitant smiles, and expressive silences make the character deeply relatable.
Fatima Sana Shaikh brings quiet strength to Minni. She avoids melodrama and instead plays the role with emotional maturity, making Minni a woman shaped by past wounds but not defined by them. Her chemistry with Vijay Varma is understated yet powerful, built more on shared glances and pauses than overt romance.
Naseeruddin Shah, as expected, is magnetic. His Aziz Baig is layered with regret, wisdom, and suppressed longing for a life once lived in verses. His poetic orations—written by Ashok Singh Mizaz—are delivered with a gravitas that reminds us why Shah remains one of Indian cinema’s finest actors.
Sharib Hashmi, in a supporting role as Bhoore, adds texture and warmth, while the rest of the cast grounds the narrative firmly in realism.
Direction, Music, andhythm, and Visual Soul
Vibhu Puri’s direction is patient and deeply respectful of the story’s emotional terrain. He allows scenes to unfold organically, often letting conversations linger and emotions simmer beneath the surface. The pacing may feel slow to some viewers accustomed to fast-cut storytelling, but for those willing to surrender, it is richly rewarding.
The film’s visual palette—crafted through careful production design and Manish Malhotra’s understated yet era-appropriate costumes—evokes the 1990s without romanticizing it excessively. Old Delhi’s narrow lanes and Punjab’s quieter spaces are captured with warmth and authenticity.
Music by Vishal Bhardwaj, with lyrics by Gulzar, is one of the film’s strongest pillars. Songs like “Ul Jalool Ishq” and “Sheher Tere” feel less like interruptions and more like emotional extensions of the narrative. Gulzar’s poetry, layered with Vishal Bhardwaj’s compositions, adds philosophical depth, making the soundtrack linger long after the credits roll.
Themes That Stay With You
The film does not offer easy answers. Instead, it trusts the audience to sit with discomfort, to understand that sometimes the right decision is the most painful one.
Final Verdict
Gustaakh Ishq: Kuch Pehle Jaisa is not a mass entertainer, nor does it aim to be one. It is a film for lovers of literature, poetry, and emotionally intelligent cinema. Its strength lies in its sincerity, its performances, and its deep respect for language and legacy.
For viewers seeking something beyond formulaic romance, this film is a rewarding experience—one that stays with you like an unfinished sher.
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