Director: Arvvindr S. Khaira
Rating: ***
Set against the politically tense backdrop of the India–Pakistan border in 1982, director Arvindr S. Khaira’s Ishqnama steps into the arena of cross-border period romances. Inspired by the real-life account of Nirmal "Nimma" and Nasima, the film crafts a sprawling, high-stakes tale of two star-crossed lovers separated by barbed wire, international rivalries, and societal barriers. Driven by intense lead performances from Jayy Randhawa and Shehnaaz Gill, Ishqnama aims to balance raw emotional gravity with big-screen romantic grandeur—but does it deliver a classic for the ages, or does it get bogged down by its own melodramatic weight?
The Story & Script
Inspired by true events and the autobiographical accounts of Nirmal Singh "Nimma", Ishqnama is set against the backdrop of the 1980s Indo-Pak border. Nimma (Jayy Randhawa) is a deeply emotional, idealistic Sikh poet living in Indian Punjab whose heart belongs to Naseema (Shehnaaz Gill), a spirited woman living on the Pakistani side of the border.
The screenplay explores the lingering trauma of Partition and how geopolitical borders divide land, but fail to divide hearts. When tragic circumstances and escalating political tensions threaten to sever their connection forever, Nimma takes an unthinkable risk—crossing the heavily guarded border wire to reach Naseema. The script balances the quiet romance of written poetry with the gripping tension of a cross-border survival drama.
Direction & Screenplay
Making his feature film directorial debut, visual director Arvvindr S. Khaira brings a grand cinematic scale to the project. Known for his work on high-concept music videos, Khaira frames the desolate borderlands with stark beauty. The 175-minute runtime gives the story room to breathe, allowing the central romance to feel earned before thrusting the characters into intense, high-stakes conflict.
Performances
Jayy Randhawa: In a powerful performance, Randhawa captures the vulnerability of a poet alongside the fierce determination of a lover willing to defy international borders.
Shehnaaz Gill: Shehnaaz brings raw emotional depth to Naseema, brilliantly portraying the pain of longing across a physical wall that divides her from Nimma.
Saurabh Sachdeva & Supporting Ensemble: Saurabh Sachdeva adds immense gravitas as a formidable opposing force, while Mahabir Bhullar and Anjum Batra lend authentic, grounded support.
Final Verdict
Ishqnama is an emotional, sweeping romantic drama that pays tribute to real-life endurance and love that transcends geopolitical divides. Driven by strong chemistry between Jayy Randhawa and Shehnaaz Gill, a soulful soundtrack by B Praak and Jaani, and Arvvindr S. Khaira’s visual direction, it stands out as a memorable release.
