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Iconic fashion designer Manish Malhotra makes his production debut with Gustaakh Ishq – Kucch Pehle Jaisa, starring Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah
For more than three decades, Manish Malhotra has shaped the way we see love on screen, not with dialogue or direction but through fabric, costume and detail. This year, he takes that journey a step further. His debut production, Gustaakh Ishq – Kucch Pehle Jaisa, will release in theatres on November 21, 2025, under Stage5 Production, the company he co-founded with his brother Dinesh Malhotra. For Malhotra, the film is more than just a new venture; it is a chance to tell a story in his own language of romance.
Directed by Vibhu Puri, Gustaakh Ishq is set in the winding lanes of Purani Dilli and the fading kothis of Punjab, landscapes steeped in memory, history and longing. For Malhotra, bringing this story to life feels like a natural extension of his work. “This marks not just a film, but a new journey,” he says.
The cast reflects the film’s emotional breadth. Vijay Varma, known for his layered performances, brings sharpness and depth. Fatima Sana Shaikh balances vulnerability with quiet strength. Naseeruddin Shah, with his unmatched gravitas, gives the story its soul.
Music, always the heartbeat of Hindi cinema, drives the narrative as well. The first track, Ul Jalool Ishq, brings together Vishal Bhardwaj, Gulzar, Resul Pookutty, Shilpa Rao and Papon. The collaboration sets the tone for the film’s emotional register.
Earlier this year, the first poster was unveiled, capturing the chemistry between Vijay and Fatima. Its soft colour palette and emotionally charged visuals hint at the passionate love story to come. The new title, Gustaakh Ishq, has been met with enthusiasm online, with fans praising its lyrical, poetic quality. Malhotra himself offered a glimpse into the film’s essence with a playful line:
“Bewakoofiyaan, Nadan galtiyan, badi bhool hai ishq,
Sach Poochiye toh mere huzoor, ul jalool hai ishq!”
With Gustaakh Ishq – Kucch Pehle Jaisa, Malhotra is not just producing a film; he is extending the language of romance he has spent decades perfecting. When it reaches theatres on November 21, it promises to bring audiences back to a kind of love that feels rare in today’s cinema: intimate, timeless and unforgettable.