The much-anticipated romantic film ‘Gustaakh Ishq,’ starring Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh, hit theaters on November 28th. Directed by Vibhu Puri, the movie transports viewers to the 1990s, weaving a narrative rich with Urdu poetry, evocative nostalgia, and timeless romance. However, its box-office journey began with a quiet opening, partly due to a direct competition with the larger release, ‘Tere Ishk Mein,’ featuring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon.
Initial box office reports for ‘Gustaakh Ishq’ on its opening day indicate earnings of around Rs 50 lakh. The overall occupancy for Hindi films on this day was 8.61%, highlighting the challenge of drawing audiences amidst a crowded release schedule. The film’s occupancy saw a gradual increase from morning to night, with night shows achieving a peak of 20.96%.
Key markets contributing to the film’s opening day included Surat, which reported an impressive 23.50% occupancy, and Chennai, with 21%. Other major cities like Mumbai recorded 10.75% and Delhi-NCR saw 8%. On a worldwide scale, ‘Gustaakh Ishq’ is estimated to have earned Rs 60 lakh on its first day.
‘Gustaakh Ishq’ is supported by a distinguished creative ensemble, featuring music composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, poignant lyrics penned by Gulzar, expert sound design by Resul Pookutty, and cinematography by Manush Nandan. The film also features notable performances from Naseeruddin Shah and Sharib Hashmi alongside the lead actors. Notably, the film marks the production debut of Manish Malhotra, who expressed his deep connection to cinema and his desire to contribute to the art form through this project.