Verdict: A heartfelt Punjabi romance that wins with strong chemistry and sincere performances, though it stays within familiar territory for most of its runtime.
Pros:
Excellent lead pair chemistry that feels natural and warm
Shehnaaz Gill’s emotional and committed performance
Soulful music and period atmosphere that stay with you
Cons:
Runtime feels slightly stretched in the middle portions
Ishqnama released in theatres on 24 July 2026 and quickly became a talking point among Punjabi cinema viewers. Directed by Arvindr S. Khaira, the film is a period romance set in the early 1980s along the India-Pakistan border.
It stars Shehnaaz Gill and Jayy Randhawa in the lead roles, with supporting turns from Saurabh Sachdeva and Arvinder Kaur. The story follows a young Sikh student and poet from the Indian side of Punjab who falls in love with a Muslim girl living across the border.
Their relationship faces the usual challenges of distance, family expectations and the tense atmosphere of the time. The film keeps the focus on their personal journey rather than heavy politics, and avoids major plot surprises.
Early audience reactions on X, Instagram, Facebook and BookMyShow have been largely positive. Many viewers singled out the natural chemistry between Shehnaaz Gill and Jayy Randhawa as the film’s biggest strength.
Shehnaaz’s performance as Nasima has drawn special praise, with people saying she disappears into the role and delivers several emotionally strong moments. The music, especially the soulful tracks and background score, is frequently mentioned as a highlight that lifts key scenes.
Public reactions from first-day shows also noted the blend of romance, light humour and a few action sequences that keep the film engaging. Some viewers felt the nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime could have been tighter, and a few pointed out that certain story beats feel familiar for a cross-border love story.
Overall sentiment, however, remains warm and appreciative. If you enjoy emotional romances with strong performances and period flavour, Ishqnama is worth watching in theatres for the full impact of its music and visuals. Those who prefer faster-paced stories may find it more comfortable on streaming later.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
