After making a mark in the fashion world, Manish Malhotra rewrites his story through cinema
For decades, Manish Malhotra has been the visual pulse of Bollywood. He dressed its heroines in chiffon saris that floated through the Alps, embroidered lehengas that defined weddings, and cocktail gowns that carried entire generations of stars into new eras of style. His brand grew into one of India’s most recognizable luxury houses but his heart never strayed far from cinema, the place where it all began.
Now, with Gustaakh Ishq, releasing this November, Manish makes his boldest move yet: stepping into film production. Under Stage5 Production, launched with his brother Dinesh, Malhotra isn’t just dabbling. He’s making a statement that fashion was only one chapter, and storytelling is the next. With Stage5 Production, Manish Malhotra is establishing a space for aspiring creative minds, be it technicians, writers, actors, singers, or anyone with the hunger to reinvent.
What’s striking about this debut is what it is not. This isn’t a “fashion film” brimming with couture excess. Instead, he has backed a narrative of desire, silence, and longing. The creative team he assembled is proof: Vishal Bhardwaj composing the music, Gulzar writing the lyrics, Resul Pookutty crafting sound. Each of these artists is known for layering emotion into texture.
The cast speaks volumes too: Naseeruddin Shah’s gravitas, Vijay Varma’s sharpness, Fatima Sana Shaikh’s spark, Sharib Hashmi’s humorous kick. These are choices of substance. It’s Manish Malhotra rewriting his vocabulary not with fabric, but with faces, words, and worlds.
For him, Gustaakh Ishq is less a detour than a return. Long before fashion made him a household name, there was a boy in a cinema hall, mesmerized by the colours of the screen. With this film, Malhotra closes that circle, giving back to the medium that gave him his first dream.
Renowned designer Manish Malhotra makes his production debut with Gustaakh Ishq under his banner Stage5 Production, co-produced by Dinesh Malhotra. Directed by Vibhu Puri, the romantic drama features stellar cast Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sharib Hashmi. The film boasts music by Vishal Bhardwaj, lyrics by Gulzar, sound design by Resul Pookutty, and cinematography by Manush Nandan. Gustaakh Ishq is set to hit theatres in November 2025.