What a beautiful Friday for anyone who enjoys soft, soulful love stories. Gustaakh Ishq feels like stepping into a quiet world where emotions speak louder than events, and every character carries a little poetry in their heart. Vibhu Puri brings together Vijay Verma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Naseeruddin Shah in a film that unfolds slowly, but leaves a lasting warmth.

The story begins with a simple problem: a man in Delhi wants to save his father’s old printing press from shutting down. The only way out is to publish something that truly matters. This search leads him to an ageing poet, Aziz Baigh, living with his daughter in Malerkotla. What starts as a professional task soon becomes a journey of trust, affection, and self-doubt. The hero must choose between saving his press and being honest about his intentions,two paths that constantly tug at him.

Vijay Verma delivers one of his most heartfelt performances. He plays a man torn between duty and love, and the conflict shows beautifully through his body language and expressive eyes. There’s a softness in the way he tries to impress his mentor and a confusion in the way he falls for Minni, making his character extremely believable.

Fatima Sana Shaikh is lovely as Minni. She brings calmness into the film, balancing out the tensions around her. Nothing about her performance is loud, yet she leaves an impact simply by being honest and grounded. Her stillness works like an anchor for the story.

The real magic, however, comes from Naseeruddin Shah. As Aziz Baigh, he becomes the emotional heartbeat of the movie. His dialogues, his pauses, his presence,everything reminds you why he is a legend. He makes the film richer without ever trying too hard. Even the younger version of Aziz, played by a yet-to-be-credited actor, stands out with charm and precision.

Supporting actors like Sharib Hashmi and the actor playing Vijay Verma’s brother add little touches of humour, tension, and authenticity. Their scenes feel real and relatable.

Visually, the film carries a dreamy, warm tone. Some may find the yellow tint distracting, and the timeline feels a bit mismatched, but the overall mood still draws you in. Vibhu Puri’s world feels handmade,slightly unreal, slightly nostalgic, but filled with heart.

The music is one of the biggest strengths. With lyrics by Gulzar and music by Vishal Bhardwaj, every song feels like a personal letter. Tracks like Ool Jalool and Sheher Tere Nai Vasna elevate the story, while the background score keeps the emotional rhythm intact.

Gustaakh Ishq is not a fast-paced film, nor is it made for everyone. But if you enjoy Urdu poetry, slow-burn romance, and stories that value emotions over twists, this movie will touch you deeply. It reminds us that cinema still has space for gentle, meaningful love stories and that sometimes, the simplest tales leave the strongest memories.

In short, Gustaakh Ishq is tender, thoughtful, and quietly beautiful. A must-watch for lovers of poems, feelings, and old-fashioned romance.