Manish Malhotra on casting Vijay Varma in Gustaakh Ishq: “He has the height, the look, and an old-world charm”

Vijay Varma in Gustaakh Ishq

The trailer of Gustaakh Ishq has got everyone talking, and much of the excitement is centred on Vijay Varma, who is stepping into a romantic role for the very first time.

Fans have been pleasantly surprised by Vijay's transformation into a soft-spoken lover. Vijay is known for portraying characters that are intense, complex, and frequently unpredictable.

His subtle expressions and quiet charm in the trailer have had viewers swooning, with many calling him “the lover boy we were all secretly manifesting.”

Behind the scenes, the decision to cast Vijay came from filmmaker and fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who is producing Gustaakh Ishq for the first time. He shared how it all came together:

“Vibhu and my team, we had a lot of discussions on the cast. I think we were sitting in my atelier and then Vijay’s name came up and I said Vijay would be very good because they knew each other. I also knew Vijay but not so closely as we know each other now. And then of course he’s an intense actor and I felt he would be great in a romantic role because an actor is an actor and Vijay has the height and the look, all of it. And an old-world charm. So we thought Vijay would be a very good choice for it and that’s how we spoke about Vijay and that’s when he went to Vijay.”

Also Read: Manish Malhotra's Gustaakh Ishq release date moved to November 28, trailer to unveil next week

Manish’s words give a glimpse into the care and thought that went into casting. Vijay’s natural intensity and the “old-world charm” that Manish admired are now fully on display in the trailer, where the actor brings a tender, soulful energy to his character. It's a performance that feels both classic and surprisingly modern.

The trailer's most notable aspect is Vijay's ability to say a lot without actually saying anything. He embodies the qualities of traditional romantic heroes with his reserved looks, gentle expressions, and nuanced movements that convey strength, vulnerability, and a subdued passion.

Vijay's portrayal is convincing and heartfelt, and fans have been quick to commend him for it. Gustaakh Ishq pledges to deliver a romantic tale that is both nostalgic and utterly relatable—an intimate celebration of love in all its messy, beautiful complexity—with his captivating on-screen persona and Manish Malhotra's careful casting.