Vijay Verma: Gustakh Ishq will remind you of life before mobile phones
On Sunday, in Sahitya Aaj Tak 2025, Vijay Verma and Fatima Sana Shaikh discussed their upcoming romantic film ‘Gustakh Ishq’. The film also stars Naseeruddin Shah.
Vijay Verma and Fatima Sana Shaikh will soon be seen in the film ‘Gustakh Ishq’ and the stars promoted the film at Sahitya Aaj Tak 2025 on Sunday. Apart from films, he also discussed love, romance and food. Vijay Varma also made an emotional request to the audience to watch the film as it marked his return to the big screen after almost five years.
‘Gustakh Ishq’ is scheduled to release in theaters on November 28. The first song of the film ‘Ool Jalul Ishq’ was released some time ago and has gained immense popularity. When Vijay was asked what ‘Ool Jalul Ishq’ is all about, he said, “It’s that kind of thing… you don’t know where it starts and where it ends. What was, what might have happened, what should have happened, what shouldn’t have happened… just like a jalebi, a tangled, tangled love.”
His co-star Fatima said, “Absolutely – it’s sideways, crooked, here, there, say yes, say no, go close, don’t go… a complete dilemma. That’s ‘Ool Jalul Ishq’.”
Vijay Verma on ‘Gustak Ishq’
Vijay said that ‘Gustak Ishq’ is a film that refreshes old memories. “Kids of the 90s, who lived in the era before mobile phones, will remember the convenience of standing in line, waiting for a missed call and then calling back. One had to inform that he was leaving the house and would return in a while. Today, we propose through DM or WhatsApp. JK – just kidding, TTYL – all this has to be decoded. It all fits into our film. We, from the 90s, have mobile phones. Lived before. Reading books was a hobby. At that time, when we used to go to someone’s house, we used to know how their marriage was.
Fatima on working with Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Verma
The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, and when asked if she felt pressure working with the veteran actor, Fatima replied, “Not at all. The bigger and better the actors are, the more experienced and humble they are. We fear they will judge us, think what nonsense we are doing. 10-minute debates go on in our minds. But they talk very lovingly. Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma… all of them.” Very polite. They think about the film, not about themselves. The atmosphere becomes easy.”
Manish Malhotra as producer
The film ‘Gustakh Ishq’ has been produced by fashion designer Manish Malhotra. Both the actors talked about their first experience of working with him. Vijay Varma said, “When I read the script, it was written that a 20-30 year old struggling man is fighting for Rs 200. The character is in survival mode. He is neither very rich nor very poor, but there is struggle in his life. I thought my character would be a torn character with a torn kurta and decorated clothes. But when Manish Malhotra is the producer, even a torn kurta looks beautiful. This is the first time.”
Fatima said, “Whenever he (Manish) came to the set, we were very happy. He loves food. We were shooting in Punjab, so he ate white butter, makki ki roti and sarson ka saag. Our director is very sentimental; he didn’t even give us a lunch break. But whenever Manish sir came, it was like an angel had come. We got good food. We used to get an hour’s lunch break. Normally, we Would finish the meal in 10 minutes and be back to work. But with Manish sir, it was a luxury.”
Vijay Verma’s request to the audience
At the end of the session Fatima Sana Shaikh and Vijay Verma urged fans to watch their film ‘Gustakh Ishq’. The actor made an emotional appeal to the audience saying that he has not been seen on the big screen for five years. So he urged the audience to show support towards him and go to theaters to watch the film.