Release Date: March 6, 2026 Director: Manvir Brar Writer: Jassi Lohka Cast: Gurnam Bhullar, Isha Malviya, Raghavv Bbhanot, Arshdeep Kaur Bhatti, Balwinder Bullet, Rana Ranbir, Gurleen Chopra Genre: Romantic Drama Runtime: 2 hours 23 minutes Produced by: Diamond Star Worldwide Language: Punjabi
There are love stories that entertain you, and then there are love stories that stay with you long after the theatre lights come back on. Ishqan De Lekhe — which roughly translates to The Accounts of Love — falls firmly into the second category. Released on March 6, 2026, this Punjabi romantic drama has arrived at just the right time, offering audiences something genuinely rare in today’s cinema: a film that feels both emotionally honest and socially meaningful.
What Is Ishqan De Lekhe About?
At its heart, Ishqan De Lekhe is a college love story — but one that refuses to stay shallow. Gurnam Bhullar plays Samar, a charismatic and popular college leader with the kind of easy confidence that draws people in. He falls deeply in love with Jasneet, played by the talented Isha Malviya in her much-anticipated Punjabi film debut. Jasneet is quiet, reserved, and the kind of person who keeps her feelings tightly guarded — the perfect foil to Samar’s warmth and openness.
Their love story blossoms beautifully, full of tender moments and genuine emotion. But Punjabi cinema isn’t Bollywood-lite, and director Manvir Brar isn’t interested in giving us an easy ride. Jealousy creeps in, political rivalry on campus creates dangerous misunderstandings, and soon Jasneet begins to believe that Samar has betrayed her trust. Just when Samar is about to set the record straight, tragedy strikes — and suddenly, their love is no longer just being tested. It’s fighting to survive.
That premise alone would make for a compelling film. But what elevates Ishqan De Lekhe beyond a standard romance is its willingness to weave in critical health and social issues without feeling preachy or forced. The film carries a social message that hits hard precisely because it grows organically from the characters and their circumstances.
Performances: Gurnam Bhullar Shines, Isha Malviya Stuns
Let’s talk about the performances, because this cast delivers.
Gurnam Bhullar has long been one of Punjabi cinema’s most emotionally expressive actors, and here he is simply outstanding. His portrayal of Samar is layered — charming on the outside, deeply vulnerable on the inside. He has that rare quality of making you feel every emotion without doing too much. Whether it’s the giddiness of falling in love or the gut-punch of being misunderstood, Gurnam makes you believe every moment of it.
The real surprise, though, is Isha Malviya. Coming from the world of television and reality shows, her transition to the big screen could have been awkward. It is anything but. She brings grace, intensity, and a quiet power to Jasneet that makes the character feel deeply real. The chemistry between Gurnam and Isha is palpable — it doesn’t feel performed, it feels lived-in. For a debut film, this is a remarkable achievement, and Isha’s fans who followed her from TV screens will not be disappointed.
The supporting cast adds genuine texture to the story. Rana Ranbir and Gurleen Chopra, in particular, deliver memorable performances that add depth to the film’s emotional landscape without overshadowing the leads.
Direction and Writing: Manvir Brar Plays the Long Game
Director Manvir Brar has a gift for stillness. Rather than relying on dramatic confrontations and loud emotional outbursts, he lets the film breathe. There are moments — a glance held a beat too long, a hand reaching for another that isn’t there anymore — that say more than pages of dialogue ever could. The screenplay by Jassi Lohka gives the actors room to inhabit their characters fully, and the pacing trusts the audience to stay emotionally engaged even during quieter stretches.
That said, the film does take its time. At 2 hours and 23 minutes, it’s a commitment — and viewers hoping for a fast-paced romance might find the first act slightly slow. But if you stay with it, the payoff in the second and third acts is absolutely worth it. The tragedy, when it comes, lands with the full weight of everything the film has built up. You feel it because you’ve been made to care.
Music and Cinematography: The Soul of the Film
No Punjabi film is complete without music, and Ishqan De Lekhe delivers beautifully on that front. The standout track “Mohabbat,” performed by the incomparable B Praak with music by Avvy Sra and Gurnam Bhullar himself, and lyrics by Amrit Dhillon, is simply stunning. It’s the kind of song that attaches itself to a feeling you didn’t know you had until you heard it. It’s easy to see why it was being called a Valentine’s Day anthem for 2026 before the film even released.
Gurnam Bhullar’s contribution to the music goes beyond performing it — as part of the music team, his sensibility is threaded through the entire soundtrack, giving the film a coherent emotional sound that reinforces every scene.
Cinematographer Harpreet brings a warm, intimate visual style to the film. The palette is clean and inviting — this isn’t a visually flashy film, but it doesn’t need to be. The visuals serve the emotion, not the other way around. Editing by Mandiip Siingh keeps the film connected and rhythmic, ensuring you never fully disconnect from Samar and Jasneet’s journey.
Why Ishqan De Lekhe Matters
In a world where Punjabi cinema is increasingly leaning towards action blockbusters and over-the-top comedies, Ishqan De Lekhe is a quiet reminder of what the genre does best. It’s a pure love story, but one with emotional intelligence. It brings up important conversations about health and personal choices without reducing its characters to symbols or mouthpieces. And it does all of this while still managing to be genuinely entertaining.
Made on a budget of approximately ₹7 crore, this film proves that you don’t need a massive production to create a massive emotional impact. The authenticity of the storytelling and performances do the heavy lifting here, and that real, unpolished honesty is exactly what has been resonating with audiences — in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, and with Punjabi NRI communities across Canada, the UK, the USA, and Australia.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch Ishqan De Lekhe?
Absolutely, yes — especially if you love meaningful cinema that doesn’t talk down to its audience.
Ishqan De Lekhe is the kind of film that will mean different things to different people. For some, it’ll be a love story that brings back personal memories. For others, it’ll be an eye-opener on the social issues it addresses. For everyone, it should be an emotional experience that lingers well after the credits roll.
It’s not a perfect film — the runtime could be tightened, and the first act takes a while to hit full stride. But its heart is completely in the right place, its performances are exceptional, and its music is flat-out beautiful. This is a film worth making time for.
Our Rating: 4/5 Stars
Ishqan De Lekhe is now playing in theatres worldwide.
