Ishqnama (2026)
Ishqnama Review: A Heartfelt Cross-Border Romance That Divides Critics
Ishqnama is a film that arrives with genuine ambition. Directed by Arvvindr S. Khaira in his feature debut, this 2026 Punjabi period romance tells a sweeping cross-border love story inspired by true events documented in the book Hind Pak Bordernama. Set against the tense political climate of the early 1980s, it follows a young Sikh poet from Indian Punjab who falls deeply in love with a Muslim woman from Pakistani Punjab. It’s a premise rich with emotional and historical weight—and according to critics, the results are as divided as the border at its center.
The numbers reveal a film that audiences have embraced wholeheartedly. On IMDb, Ishqnama holds an impressive 8.8/10 rating based on thousands of user votes[reference:0]. BookMyShow users have rated it an outstanding 9.2/10 based on over 4,100 votes[reference:1]. Plex shows an audience rating of 8.7 out of 10[reference:2]. Times of India gave it a 4.0/5 critic’s rating, praising it as “a heartfelt cross-border love story” that “beautifully builds on this idea” of love transcending borders[reference:3].
Times of India was effusive in its praise: “With understated storytelling and heartfelt performances, the film becomes less about politics and more about the enduring power of love, memory and hope”[reference:4]. The review highlighted Dheeraj Rattan’s screenplay as “the film’s strongest asset,” noting that it “unfolds with patience, allowing relationships and emotions to grow naturally instead of relying on manufactured drama”[reference:5]. Jayy Randhawa was praised for delivering “what is undoubtedly the finest performance of his career,” while Shehnaaz Gill was noted for her “mature and measured performance” and the “effortless chemistry” she shares with Randhawa[reference:6].
However, The Tribune was scathing in its assessment, calling it “a blood-soaked, thoroughly ordinary saga of toxic masculinity masquerading as romance”[reference:7]. The review criticized the film for abandoning its poetic ambitions in favor of violence, writing that Nimma “mistakes cheap one-liners for charisma and spends most of the runtime flattening goons with superhero efficiency”[reference:8]. It also noted that “the romance never earns itself” and that “what little courtship exists consists largely of patronising teasing”[reference:9]. While acknowledging that Gill “delivers the most earnest, if undercooked, performance,” the review concluded that the film failed to live up to its promise. Ishqnama is a film that clearly resonates deeply with its audience—but critics remain sharply divided on whether it succeeds as both romance and drama.
Ishqnama Cast: Jayy Randhawa and Shehnaaz Gill Lead a Talented Ensemble
The film brings together a strong ensemble of Punjabi cinema talent, led by two of the industry’s most beloved stars:
Jayy Randhawa delivers a career-best performance as Nimma, a young Sikh poet from Indian Punjab. Times of India noted that “known largely for action-oriented roles, he surprises with a restrained and emotionally layered portrayal,” and that “there is a quiet sincerity to his performance that makes the character deeply relatable”[reference:10]. The Tribune, however, was more critical, suggesting he “initially hints at a more layered protagonist before surrendering to the film’s addiction to swagger and violence”[reference:11].
Shehnaaz Gill continues to impress as Naseema, a Muslim woman from Pakistani Punjab. Times of India praised her “mature and measured performance,” noting that “she moves beyond her familiar screen persona to portray a woman torn between family, faith and love” and “brings remarkable grace to the role, expressing inner conflict through subtle gestures rather than dramatic outbursts”[reference:12]. The Tribune agreed that “Gill delivers the most earnest, if undercooked, performance,” and that “despite her larger-than-life screen persona, Gill’s performance remains the only one that consistently feels human”[reference:13].
Saurabh Sachdeva plays Bilawal Khan, Naseema’s gangster brother, though The Tribune criticized his “unconvincing Hindi-Punjabi jumble” accent[reference:14]. Anjum Batra, Arvinder Kaur, and Mahabir Bhullar lend authenticity to the film’s world, each adding depth without overshadowing the central romance[reference:15]. Jasbir Gill plays Taara, a key supporting character[reference:16]. Guri Ghuman and Preet Bhullar round out the ensemble.
Ishqnama Plot: A Love Story That Defies Borders
The story unfolds between 1981 and 1988 along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, tracing the real-life romance of Nimma, a young Sikh student and aspiring poet from Indian Punjab, and Naseema, a Muslim woman from Pakistani Punjab[reference:17]. It is a love story that survives everything Partition left behind—borders, faith, distance, and decades of a divide neither of them chose[reference:18].
Their romance blooms despite geographical and religious divides, where every meeting carries the risk of heartbreak and every promise feels uncertain. Nimma first crosses into Pakistan over a bet involving moustache pride and a missing horse, and once in Sialkot, he encounters Naseema, the gun-toting sister of a local gangster[reference:19]. The film uses the tense political backdrop of the early 1980s not as mere spectacle, but to deepen the emotional stakes, reminding viewers that love often survives where politics fails[reference:20].
The narrative follows their relationship through years of separation, hope, and sacrifice, as they navigate the impossible circumstances that keep them apart. Dheeraj Rattan’s screenplay unfolds with patience, allowing relationships and emotions to grow naturally, drawing its strength from quiet moments of connection rather than manufactured drama[reference:21]. It’s a story about enduring love, memory, and the human cost of borders—and one that, as the film notes, is still being written, with Nimma reportedly still alive and living in India today[reference:22].
“Love is stronger than the lines drawn on a map.”
