Fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s ambitious production debut has finally arrived in theatres, but fans unable to catch the theatrical run are already wondering about digital availability. Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh’s romantic saga hit theatres on November 28, 2025, bringing a nostalgic love story set in the 1990s era to the big screen. With the theatrical release now underway, attention has shifted to when audiences can stream this poetic romance from home.
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Gustaakh Ishq OTT Release Date and Platform
The film is officially set to stream on JioHotstar, ensuring that audiences who miss the theatrical release won’t have to wait long to watch it from home. This partnership with the streaming giant provides the romantic drama with a substantial digital platform following its cinema run.
| OTT Release Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Streaming Platform | JioHotstar |
| Theatrical Release | November 28, 2025 |
| Expected OTT Release | Late January 2026 |
| Standard Window | 6-8 weeks post-theatrical |
| Alternate Timeline | Late December 2025 – Late January 2026 |
While the makers have kept the exact digital premiere date under wraps, the industry’s release pattern offers a clear clue. In recent years, most Bollywood movies shift to streaming platforms about six to eight weeks after their cinema release. Following this established timeline provides a realistic estimate for when subscribers can expect Gustaakh Ishq on their screens.
According to a report by OTT Play, Gustaakh Ishq is expected to arrive on JioHostar after its theatrical run, with the film likely to stream online sometime between late December 2025 and late January 2026.
About Gustaakh Ishq
Gustaakh Ishq: Kuch Pehle Jaisa is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Vibhu Puri and produced by Stage5 Productions, starring Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah and Sharib Hashmi. The film marks a significant milestone as Manish Malhotra’s debut as a film producer, bringing his aesthetic sensibility from fashion to cinema.
Plot Synopsis:
Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rahman, in pursuit to save his father’s printing press in the heart of Purani Delhi, becomes a disciple of Aziz, a retired poet and falls in love with his daughter Minni, a teacher. This premise establishes a romantic narrative intertwined with the preservation of cultural heritage and literary tradition.
The film is set in the era of 1990s, before mobile phones, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that evokes a simpler time when love developed slowly through poetry, letters, and face-to-face conversations rather than digital communication.
Vijay Varma’s Performance and Character
Vijay Varma takes on the lead role of Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rehman Rizvi, often called Pappan. Vijay Varma plays Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rahman, a character pursuing his father’s printing press legacy. This role represents a significant departure for the actor, who has built a reputation playing complex, often negative characters.
Vijay Varma described his sweet, romantic film Gustaakh Ishq as exploring love, worship, and sin, calling it a rich acting experience. The actor’s enthusiasm for the project stems from the opportunity to showcase a different facet of his talent.
He discussed his shift from negative roles, noting that any change takes time, contrasting the gruesome scene in Pink with the new challenge of delivering poetic dialogues opposite Naseeruddin Shah in Gustaakh Ishq while maintaining believability.
This is the first feature film of Vijay Varma in 5 years to release on big screen, making Gustaakh Ishq particularly significant in his filmography as a theatrical comeback vehicle.
Fatima Sana Shaikh’s Role as Minni
Fatima Sana Shaikh portrays Minni, the daughter of the retired poet Aziz and a school teacher who becomes the object of Pappan’s affection. Fatima Sana Shaikh plays Minni, bringing raw chemistry with Vijay Varma that feels authentic according to early reviews.
The production faced challenges during filming. During the making of the film, Fatima had suffered an episode of epileptic seizure, a testament to her dedication to completing the project despite health concerns.
Her character serves as both muse and equal partner in a relationship built on shared appreciation for poetry and literature, reflecting the film’s emphasis on intellectual and emotional connection.
Supporting Cast and Creative Team
Naseeruddin Shah brings gravitas to the role of Aziz, the retired poet who becomes Pappan’s mentor. Naseeruddin Shah plays Aziz, also known as Babba, a retired poet who serves as mentor to the protagonist. The veteran actor’s involvement elevates the film’s literary aspirations.
In the film Naseeruddin Shah will be orating poetry written by poet Ashok Singh Mizaz, adding authentic Urdu literary depth to the narrative.
Sharib Hashmi rounds out the principal cast. Sharib Hashmi plays Attachie in a pivotal role, contributing to the ensemble that populates the world of Old Delhi’s printing press culture.
Direction and Production:
Gustaakh Ishq is directed by Vibhu Puri and backed by Stage5 Productions, with the production debut of celebrity fashion designer Manish Malhotra. Puri brings a visual sensibility that complements Malhotra’s aesthetic vision.
The film has been written by Vibhu Puri and Prasshant Jha and produced by Manish Malhotra and Dinesh Malhotra, making it a family production that allowed for creative freedom in bringing this passion project to life.
Music and Soundtrack
The film features compositions by acclaimed musician Vishal Bharadwaj with lyrics by legendary poet Gulzar, creating a musical landscape befitting the film’s poetic themes. The film’s soundtrack is composed by Vishal Bharadwaj, with lyrics written by Gulzar.
Song Releases:
The first single “Ul Jalool Ishq” was released on 16 September 2025. The second single “Aap Iss Dhoop Mein” was released on 7 October 2025. The third single ‘Sheher Tere’, a duet was released on 29 October 2025. These strategic song releases helped build anticipation ahead of the theatrical premiere.
The soundtrack album was released under Zee Music Company, ensuring wide distribution across music streaming platforms.
Production Background and Filming
The film was announced on 2 January 2024 and the shooting commenced from 9 January 2024. The film was shot in a start-to-finish schedule that ended on 17 March 2025. This efficient production timeline allowed the team to maintain creative momentum.
The film has been shot in and around the city of Amritsar and Delhi. Some scenes of the film were also shot in Delhi in April 2024. These authentic locations ground the story in real spaces that evoke the cultural richness central to the narrative.
The film underwent title changes during development. The film was earlier titled Ul Jalool Ishq but the title was changed to Gustaakh Ishq: Kuch Pehle Jaisa, which was announced on 16 April 2025 with a poster.
Festival Premiere and Critical Reception
Before its commercial release, the film received prestigious recognition. The film premiered at the Gala Premiere section at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on 24 November 2025, providing early validation from the festival circuit.
Gustaakh Ishq-Kuchh Pehle Jaisa for its international cut also had its official premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 24, suggesting the film has both domestic and international versions tailored for different audiences.
Early critical responses praised the film’s aesthetic and emotional depth. Early reviews suggested that the film is made for theatres, which has a scale of emotion that is unmissable.
Box Office Performance
The theatrical release faced significant challenges at the box office. According to Sacnilk, Gustaakh Ishq has minted Rs 50 lakh on its opening day, indicating a subdued commercial reception despite positive critical notices.
The movie that was earlier releasing on November 21 and hence Gustaakh Ishq was clashing with Farhan Akhtar’s 120 Bahadur. But now with the delay of a week, Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh’s film will release with Dhanush and Kriti Sanon’s Tere Ishk Mein. This box office clash with a bigger-budget production likely impacted opening day collections.
The romantic drama earned just Rs 0.50 crore on its first day, getting completely overshadowed by Dhanush and Kriti Sanon starrer Tere Ishk Mein, which opened to significantly stronger numbers.
Manish Malhotra’s Vision as Producer
The fashion icon’s entry into film production represents a significant career expansion. Manish Malhotra shared, “Production house is my thing. It’s intimate; maybe the audience of today will relate to it, and I understand the people of today. I feel that classic, timeless love se har koi relate karega“.
His approach prioritizes emotional authenticity over commercial formulas. Malhotra added, “I wanted to start an independent production, not what people would expect out of me“, signaling his intention to create content-driven cinema rather than designer-heavy spectacles.
He said, “I think aajkal hum romance nahi dekhte. Aajkal simplicity, purity, music, wo sab nahi dekhte. And I think Gustaakh Ishq me wo sab kuch hai, including emotions, music and clean romance“, articulating his belief that contemporary cinema lacks the romantic purity his film offers.
The Nostalgic Setting and Visual Aesthetic
The narrative unfolds in the nostalgic streets of Purani Dilli and the fading havelis of Punjab, where love grows slowly and beautifully. This geographical and temporal setting creates a world removed from modern urban chaos.
The film portrays feelings that are never fully spoken yet deeply felt, creating a universe where every pause and sigh carries meaning. This approach to storytelling prioritizes emotional subtext over explicit declaration.
The cinematography often mirrors the characters’ inner lives – warm palettes in moments of hope, cooler tones as tension rises, demonstrating sophisticated visual storytelling that reinforces narrative themes.
Promotional Campaign
The lead pair of Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh are on a promotion drive for the film. They attended a promotion campaign at Film Division Auditorium in New Delhi where the film trailer was also launched.
The lead pair also promoted the film on Sahitya Aajtak on 23 November 2025, targeting literary audiences who would appreciate the film’s poetic themes.
Marketing materials emphasized the film’s distinctive qualities. The trailer of the film was released on 10 November 2025 at an event in Mumbai. The first poster was released on 6 November 2025. The first teaser was released on 26 August 2025.
Why OTT Might Be the Ideal Platform
Given the theatrical performance, OTT streaming could provide Gustaakh Ishq with the audience it deserves. For a film that carried the expectations of being a fresh pairing with an old school romantic story, the theatrical numbers are not encouraging.
The film will need strong word of mouth and positive reviews to turn things around over the weekend. Otherwise, it might have a very short theatrical run before heading to streaming platforms.
The streaming platform offers several advantages for this type of content. Audiences seeking slower-paced, character-driven romances often discover such films on OTT where they can watch at their own pace without the pressure of justifying a theatrical ticket purchase.
Read More: Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari OTT Release Date: When and Where Will SSKTK Stream
FAQs
When is the Gustaakh Ishq OTT release date?
Gustaakh Ishq is expected to stream on JioHotstar between late December 2025 and late January 2026, approximately 6-8 weeks after its theatrical release on November 28, 2025.
Which OTT platform will stream Gustaakh Ishq?
Gustaakh Ishq has secured its digital rights with JioHotstar, where it will be available for streaming following its theatrical run in cinemas.
Who are the lead actors in Gustaakh Ishq?
Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh play the lead roles, with Naseeruddin Shah and Sharib Hashmi in pivotal supporting roles in this romantic drama.
Is Gustaakh Ishq Manish Malhotra’s first film as producer?
Yes, Gustaakh Ishq marks celebrated fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s debut as a film producer under his Stage5 Productions banner alongside his brother Dinesh Malhotra.
What is Gustaakh Ishq about?
Set in 1990s Old Delhi, the film follows Nawabuddin (Vijay Varma), who tries to save his father’s printing press while learning poetry from retired poet Aziz (Naseeruddin Shah) and falling in love with his daughter Minni (Fatima Sana Shaikh).
