Gustaakh Ishq on OTT: Here's how much Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh's poetic romance earned at the box office
Gustaakh Ishq, starring Vijay Varma, flopped with a ₹2.29 crore global gross against a ₹25 crore budget. The drama transitions to JioHotstar on January 23, 2026, targeting a niche digital audience.
Last Updated: 03.58 PM, Jan 17, 2026
Directed by Vibhu Puri and produced by Stage5 Productions, headed by Manish Malhotra, the romantic drama Gustaakh Ishq has wrapped up its theatrical run in anticipation of its OTT release. The film, which debuted in theatres on November 28, 2025, features pivotal roles from Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Naseeruddin Shah. The film is set for its OTT release on January 23, 2026, on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium). Despite the high hopes raised by the film's production history and Vishal Bhardwaj's score featuring Gulzar's lyrics, the film's box office performance was disappointing. There is a large disparity between the film's domestic and foreign earnings as of January 17, 2026, and its production costs.
How much did Gustaakh Ishq earn during its opening week?
The film's opening weekend earnings were a respectable ₹0.50 crore. A minimal increase was observed over the initial weekend, which ended with a total of ₹1.50 crore. Earnings fell to around ₹0.07 crore on the first Monday, marking the beginning of a sharp reduction in daily collections. Gustaakh Ishq earned ₹1.78 crore nett in India by the conclusion of its debut week.
Footfalls declined by nearly 96% in the second week, adding just ₹0.07 crore to the total. High-budget rivals significantly reduced the film's theatrical run after the second week. In the end, the domestic nett collection for the lifetime amounts to around ₹1.85 crore, with a total gross of ₹2.2 crore.
What was the worldwide gross of Gustaakh Ishq?
The film had a limited run in several international markets, including those in North America, Australia, and the UK. With a contribution of around ₹0.09 crore to the global total, international collections continued to be insignificant. The total worldwide gross collection for Gustaakh Ishq is estimated at ₹2.29 crore.
A packed release window hurt the film's performance. In its first week at the box office, it grossed more than ₹60 crore, competing with the romance film Tere Ishk Mein starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon. Following the release of the Ranveer Singh film Dhurandhar in early December, Gustaakh Ishq also experienced a decline in both screens and interest. Critics lauded Varma's acting and the film's "old-school" storytelling, but the plodding plot turned off many moviegoers.
Is Gustaakh Ishq hit or flop?
According to reports, the production budget of Gustaakh Ishq was around ₹25 crore. The film's total India nett revenue was ₹1.85 crore, which means that ticket sales from theatres only covered 8% of the production costs. Based on a deficit of more than 90% against its investment, trade analysts have dubbed the film a "flop" or "disaster" when considering the theatre return on investment.
After the film's theatrical run ended, the makers finalised its digital rights. The debut of Gustaakh Ishq on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) is set for January 23, 2026. Many believe that the move to OTT will help the film reach its niche demographic, which has historically been underserved by traditional theatres due to its preference for "slow-burn" dramas and poetic tales. After making its world premiere at Goa's 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the film will now be available to a larger audience with its digital release.
Gustaakh Ishq FAQs:
Q: What is the OTT release date for Gustaakh Ishq?
A: Gustaakh Ishq is scheduled to premiere digitally on January 23, 2026. It will be available for streaming exclusively on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium), following its eight-week theatrical window.
Q: Where can I watch the movie Gustaakh Ishq?
A: As of January 2026, Gustaakh Ishq is moving from theaters to digital streaming. You can watch it on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) starting from January 23. It is no longer widely available in cinema halls following its late November 2025 release.
Q: Who are the main actors in Gustaakh Ishq?
A: Gustaakh Ishq stars Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh in the lead roles. Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah plays a pivotal role as the Urdu poet, with Sharib Hashmi and Natasha Rastogi appearing in supporting roles.