Ishq Vishk Rebound | Movie Review

Director: Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari
Star Cast: Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Jibraan Khan, Naila Grrewal
Language: Hindi
Rating: ⭐⭐(2/5)

Script Analysis:
On paper, the idea of a rebound love story between two best friends who betray their third friend sounds exciting. It leaves you curious about how the love story will progress and how the friendship will be affected. Unfortunately, that’s where the central premise begins and ends. Everything else in ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’ is a mismatch of ideas that fail to land effectively.

The movie aims to focus on Gen Z and their confusion about love and rebounds. However, nothing in the film feels genuinely Gen Z. Moreover, there is no real love between any of the characters. Everything happens so fast that we never get a moment to connect with anyone. Neither the breakup scenes affect us nor the onset of the rebound relationship between Raghav and Sanya. It feels like the actors are just going through the motions because they’re instructed to do so.

‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’ terribly misses the rom-com charm that the original ‘Ishq Vishk’, starring Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, and Shehnaz Treasurywala, had. Even the 2003 movie had its flaws, but at least it was enjoyable, and the characters were interesting enough to leave us curious about who would end up with whom. Watching the 2024 version feels like watching Netflix’s ‘Mismatched’ episode on the big screen, and not a good one. The film lacks conviction in crafting a solid love story and presenting compelling characters.

Star Performance:
Rohit Saraf’s Raghav feels like an extension of his character Rishi Shekhawat from ‘Mismatched’. While he is a good actor and performs well, the script doesn’t allow him to showcase his full potential. There’s no strong emotion for Rohit’s Raghav to convey. Even the scene where he loses his cool on his friends fails to leave an impact. The constant breaking of the fourth wall isn’t enjoyable either.

Pashmina Roshan plays Sanya, a hot-headed girl with daddy issues (as the film itself says). Her daddy issues don’t feel real, nor do her feelings for any of the guys. The script is so weak that Pashmina struggles to make Sanya look like a real person or even likeable. Jibraan Khan seems like someone who could have brought some depth to the story. The actor gives a satisfactory performance in the few scenes he has. Naila Grrewal’s talent is wasted in the movie. Influencer Kusha Kapila has more scenes than her, even though her character is pointless!

Direction and Music:
Nipun Dharmadhikari had a fun idea in mind, but he failed to execute it convincingly. In the last 30 minutes, the plot goes haywire. The movie is titled ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’, but the absence of sweet young love and the rebound factor is evident. It’s not enjoyable.

One bright spot is Sonu Nigam’s song ‘Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar’, which brings a big smile to your face. Adapted from the 2003 film, it is a delightful moment.

The Last Word:
In conclusion, ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’ had the potential to be an intriguing exploration of friendships and love in the context of modern relationships. However, it falls short due to its weak script, lack of genuine character development, and poor execution. It’s a missed opportunity to create a memorable rom-com for the Gen Z audience.

Watch Verdict:
Skip it. ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’ fails to capture the essence of a true rom-com and leaves much to be desired in terms of storytelling and character development.

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