Fashion designer-turned-producer Manish Malhotra is stepping deeper into filmmaking, and his latest project, Gustaakh Ishq, has already started conversations, especially after he compared lead actor Vijay Varma to Shah Rukh Khan. Manish, who has styled top stars for nearly thirty years, is now using his experience in Bollywood to create stories under his banner, Stage 5 Productions.
While speaking with Varinder Chawla, Manish explained that casting Vijay Varma felt natural because the actor carries a rare maturity that he believes is missing in today’s younger stars. According to him, most faces on screen now look like “boys and girls,” but Vijay brings the presence of a “young man,” something that was commonly seen in the heroes of the 1990s.
Manish shared that Vijay’s personality, height and screen presence reminded him of the charm Shah Rukh Khan brought to his early films. He said this quality made Vijay perfect for the character Pappan in Gustaakh Ishq. For Manish, casting Vijay was a way of bringing back the “man-hero” energy that defined many classic Bollywood romances.
The romantic drama also features a strong ensemble cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sharib Hashmi. With music composed by Vishal Bhardwaj and lyrics written by Gulzar, the film marks another ambitious step for Manish after launching his production house in September 2023. Directed by Vibhu Puri, Gustaakh Ishq is among the most awaited releases from the fashion icon-turned-producer.