Gustaakh Ishq, a romantic drama that blends poetry and old-school charm, hit theaters on November 28, 2025. Directed by Vibhu Puri, the film explores themes of love, shayari (poetry), and personal growth through the story of a young man seeking to master the art of poetry under the guidance of a seasoned ustad (mentor). Set against a backdrop of nostalgic Urdu literature and subtle romance, it stars Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh in lead roles, with supporting performances from Naseeruddin Shah and Sharib Hashmi. Released during a competitive weekend, Gustaakh Ishq aimed to appeal to audiences fond of literary and artistic cinema. However, its Gustaakh Ishq box office collection has been underwhelming, reflecting challenges in drawing mass crowds amid bigger releases like Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar. The movie was distributed across major Indian cities and select overseas markets, but its performance has sparked discussions on the viability of niche romantic dramas in today’s fast-paced film industry.
Movie Budget (Production + P&A)
The total budget for Gustaakh Ishq, including production costs and prints & advertising (P&A), is estimated at ₹25 crores. This figure encompasses the expenses for scripting, shooting in picturesque locations to capture the poetic essence, and marketing efforts led by producer Manish Malhotra in his debut venture. The budget is moderate for a mid-tier Bollywood film, focusing more on artistic elements like music by Vishal Bhardwaj and lyrics by Gulzar rather than high-octane action or VFX. Despite the controlled spending, the Gustaakh Ishq budget has become a point of scrutiny given the film’s poor returns, highlighting the risks involved in backing content-driven stories without A-list star power for widespread appeal.
Opening Day Box Office Collection
Gustaakh Ishq’s opening day box office collection stood at ₹0.50 crore nett in India. Released on a Friday, the film faced stiff competition from other releases and ongoing hits, leading to a lackluster start. Early shows reported low occupancy, with urban centers like Mumbai and Delhi contributing the bulk of earnings through multiplex chains. The Gustaakh Ishq day 1 collection was one of the lowest for a film featuring established actors like Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh, signaling limited pre-release buzz. Factors such as niche storytelling and minimal promotional hype played a role in this subdued debut, setting a challenging tone for the subsequent days.
Day-wise Box Office Collection Table (Day 1 to latest day available)
The day-wise breakdown of Gustaakh Ishq box office collection reveals a sharp decline after the opening weekend, typical of films that fail to generate word-of-mouth momentum. Below is a detailed table based on available data up to Day 10 (as of December 7, 2025), showing India nett collections in ₹ crores:
| Day | Date | Collection (₹ Cr Nett) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nov 28 (Fri) | 0.50 | N/A |
| Day 2 | Nov 29 (Sat) | 0.50 | 0.00% |
| Day 3 | Nov 30 (Sun) | 0.50 | 0.00% |
| Day 4 | Dec 1 (Mon) | 0.07 | -86.00% |
| Day 5 | Dec 2 (Tue) | 0.12 | +71.43% |
| Day 6 | Dec 3 (Wed) | 0.05 | -58.33% |
| Day 7 | Dec 4 (Thu) | 0.04 | -20.00% |
| Day 8 | Dec 5 (Fri) | 0.01 | -75.00% |
| Day 9 | Dec 6 (Sat) | 0.01 | 0.00% |
| Day 10 | Dec 7 (Sun) | 0.01 | 0.00% |
Total up to Day 10: ₹1.81 crore nett. The collections peaked during the weekend but dropped drastically on weekdays, indicating poor sustained interest.
Week-wise Box Office Report
Gustaakh Ishq’s week-wise box office report paints a picture of rapid fading at the ticket counters. Here’s a summary in table format for India nett collections:
| Week | Collection (₹ Cr Nett) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (Days 1-7) | 1.78 | N/A |
| Week 2 (Days 8-10 so far) | 0.03 | -98.31% |
The first week accounted for nearly all earnings, with the second week showing negligible additions. This trend underscores the film’s struggle to retain screens and audience attention beyond the initial curiosity.
Worldwide Box Office Collection (India + Overseas)
The Gustaakh Ishq worldwide collection totals ₹2.24 crore gross. This includes:
- India Gross: ₹2.15 crore
- Overseas Gross: ₹0.09 crore
Also read Tere Ishk Mein Box Office Collection
Overseas markets contributed minimally, with key territories like the UK (₹0.04 crore approx.), USA (₹0.03 crore), and others like Australia and Germany adding small amounts. The limited international release, focused on diaspora-heavy regions, didn’t yield significant traction, aligning with the film’s domestic underperformance.
Domestic Nett & Gross Collection
In India, Gustaakh Ishq’s domestic nett collection is ₹1.81 crore, while the gross figure stands at ₹2.15 crore (including taxes). Major contributions came from multiplex chains:
- PVR: ₹0.39 crore
- INOX: ₹0.29 crore
- Cinepolis: ₹0.09 crore
Urban audiences in metros drove most of the earnings, but rural and single-screen theaters saw abysmal turnout.
Hit or Flop Verdict (With Explanation)
Verdict: Flop.
Gustaakh Ishq is a clear box office flop, recovering only about 7-8% of its ₹25 crore budget through theatrical earnings. To break even, it needed at least ₹30-35 crore nett in India, considering distribution and marketing costs. The film’s inability to cross even ₹2 crore nett highlights issues like lack of mass appeal, competition from action-oriented films, and insufficient hype. While artistic merits were appreciated by a niche crowd, commercial failure stems from its slow-paced narrative not resonating with mainstream viewers. The Gustaakh Ishq hit or flop status serves as a reminder that content-driven films require stronger marketing to compete in a crowded market.
Screen Count & Occupancy Report
Gustaakh Ishq opened on approximately 2,000 screens across India, with a focus on urban multiplexes. Overseas, it had a limited release on around 100-150 screens. Occupancy rates were dismal:
- Opening Day: 10-15% average, with evening shows in metros reaching 20%.
- Weekend: 15-20% overall.
- Weekdays: Dropped to 5-10%, leading to early show cancellations.
Low footfall in mass belts contributed to the quick erosion of screen space in Week 2.
Cast, Crew & Production Details
- Cast:
- Vijay Varma as the protagonist, a young man immersed in poetry.
- Fatima Sana Shaikh as the female lead, adding emotional depth.
- Naseeruddin Shah as the mentor ustad.
- Sharib Hashmi in a supporting role.
- Ravi Kishan in a cameo, enhancing key scenes.
- Crew:
- Director: Vibhu Puri
- Producer: Manish Malhotra (Stage 5 Productions)
- Music: Vishal Bhardwaj
- Lyrics: Gulzar
- Cinematography: Praised for capturing poetic visuals.
Production wrapped in early 2025, with filming in locations evoking old-world charm.
Trailer Response & Audience Review
The Gustaakh Ishq trailer, released in mid-November 2025, garnered mixed responses. Vijay Varma expressed gratitude for the “overwhelming” online buzz, with views crossing 5 million on YouTube. However, some viewers called it “bland” and slow, predicting limited appeal. Audience reviews post-release are polarized:
- Positive: Praised for heartfelt performances, beautiful shayari, and soothing music.
- Negative: Criticized for pacing issues and dense Urdu dialogue, making it inaccessible for some. Overall, it’s rated 3.5/5 on platforms like BookMyShow, with urban youth appreciating its artistic vibe.
Critical Reception (Critics Ratings Summary)
Critics gave Gustaakh Ishq a mixed reception, averaging 3/5 across major outlets:
- Times of India: 3/5 – “Gentle and graceful, yet slightly underwhelming.”
- Scroll.in: Positive – Highlights the romance between words and humans.
- The Hindu: 2.5/5 – “Lacks coherent rhythm, lost in time.”
- India Today: 3.5/5 – “Endearing tribute to old-school romance.” Strengths include performances (especially Naseeruddin Shah) and aesthetics; weaknesses are slow narrative and minimal conflict.
Comparison With Similar Movies
Gustaakh Ishq draws parallels to poetry-centric films like “Mirzya” (2016), which also blended romance and folklore but flopped with ₹10 crore nett against a ₹30 crore budget. It echoes “The Sky Is Pink” (2019, ₹34 crore nett), another emotional drama that underperformed despite critical acclaim. Compared to successful romantics like “Kabir Singh” (₹278 crore), it lacks the intensity for mass success. Budget-wise, it’s similar to “Thappad” (2020, ₹30 crore nett), but Gustaakh Ishq’s lower earnings highlight the evolving audience preference for high-energy content over subtle stories.
Future Box Office Prediction
Given the downward trend, Gustaakh Ishq is unlikely to cross ₹2.5 crore nett in India lifetime. With no major holidays ahead and screens reducing, additional earnings will be minimal (₹0.1-0.2 crore more). Worldwide, it may end at ₹2.5-3 crore gross. Digital rights could provide some recovery, but theatrically, it’s a disaster. Future predictions suggest niche films like this need better timing and promotion to avoid such fates.
Final Thoughts
Gustaakh Ishq’s box office journey underscores the challenges of artistic cinema in a commercial landscape. While its poetic soul shines through strong performances and visuals, the lack of broad appeal led to disappointing collections. For fans of literary romances, it’s a hidden gem; for box office watchers, a cautionary tale.
Most FAQs
- What is Gustaakh Ishq box office collection? As of latest data, India nett is ₹1.81 crore, worldwide gross ₹2.24 crore.
- Is Gustaakh Ishq hit or flop? It’s a flop, failing to recover its ₹25 crore budget.
- What is Gustaakh Ishq budget? ₹25 crores including P&A.
- What is Gustaakh Ishq day 1 collection? ₹0.50 crore nett in India.
- What is Gustaakh Ishq worldwide collection? ₹2.24 crore gross.
- Who stars in Gustaakh Ishq? Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah.
