The romantic drama ‘Gustaakh Ishq,’ starring Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh, premiered in theaters on November 28. Directed by Vibhu Puri, the film transports audiences to the 1990s with its blend of poetry, nostalgia, and classic romance. However, its theatrical release faced a significant challenge with the simultaneous launch of Dhanush and Kriti Sanon’s ‘Tere Ishk Mein.’
Initial box office figures for ‘Gustaakh Ishq’ indicate a subdued opening. Reports suggest the film garnered approximately Rs 50 lakh on its first day. The overall occupancy for Hindi films on release day hovered around 8.61%. The film struggled to attract a substantial audience, largely due to the intense competition from ‘Tere Ishk Mein,’ which reportedly achieved a much higher opening collection of Rs 16.50 crore on the same day.
Despite the slow start, ‘Gustaakh Ishq’ saw a slight increase in viewership during the later evening and night shows, with occupancy reaching up to 20.96%. Key markets showing better performance included Surat and Chennai, with occupancy rates of 23.50% and 21% respectively. Major metropolitan areas like Mumbai recorded 10.75% occupancy, while Delhi-NCR saw 8%.
Globally, the film’s first-day collection is estimated to be around Rs 60 lakh. The film boasts a notable creative team, including music by Vishal Bhardwaj, lyrics by Gulzar, sound design by Resul Pookutty, and cinematography by Manush Nandan. The cast features Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, and Sharib Hashmi in pivotal roles. This release also marks fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s debut as a film producer.