MUMBAI: The very first glimpse of Manish Malhotra's Gustaakh Ishq belongs to Fatima Sana Shaikh. She owns the frame and there is a glow about her that shows in how she holds herself, carrying both longing and restraint in her eyes. It’s the kind of presence that shifts the way you look at her, and maybe even the way women are looked at in cinema. It turns out she was Manish's first choice and he was very sure she'd be the right fit for the film.
He was right as this is Fatima at her most striking, even as she has floored her audience with two stupendous acts in Metro.. In Dino and Aap Jaisa Koi. It's possible her best is yet to come.
Guided by Vibhu Puri’s delicate direction, and set against the poetry of Gulzar, the melodies of Vishal Bhardwaj, the film carries the visual grace of Manish Malhotra’s world. Fatima stands at the centre like a muse and a mirror!
With Gustaakh Ishq, Fatima adds another chapter to what is becoming a remarkable streak of romance-driven performances, each driven by a certain intensity. To hold her own alongside legends like Naseeruddin Shah and powerhouses like Vijay Varma is no small feat, but in just a teaser, she makes it clear that 2025 is her moment.
Produced by Manish Malhotra, with his brother Dinesh Malhotra, under his company Stage5 Production, Gustaakh Ishq brings back the magic of classic storytelling while stepping into the future of Indian cinema. The film will be out in theatres in November 2025.
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