Many films are born as adaptation of books. In contrast, Gustaakh Ishq was born because a book could not be adapted. First-time producer Manish Malhotra had initially approached Vibhu Puri to adapt a 400-page book. When the director said the adaptation would take far too long, Malhotra asked him one question: ‘Do you have something that you want to make?’ Enter Gustaakh Ishq, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, and Fatima Sana Shaikh.  

Puri recalls, “I told Manish this story set in old Delhi and Punjab. As soon as he heard it, Manish said he wanted to make it.”