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Ishaqzaade backdrop

Ishaqzaade

11 May 2012Hindi2h 12m
DramaRomance
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 11 critic reviews

Strong leads and Trivedi's music carry a film that runs out of steam after interval.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: lead performances and soundtrack
  • Criticised: weak, directionless second half

Audience

User score 4.0 out of 10 from 1 rating, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 1 audience review ↓

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Critic consensus

What 11 critics are saying

Critical reception for Ishaqzaade is mixed, with the majority of reviewers acknowledging a strong first half that loses momentum after the interval. The lead performances of Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra, along with Amit Trivedi's soundtrack, were the most consistently praised elements across reviews. Common criticisms include a sagging second half, a familiar inter-religious romance premise, and for some reviewers, a troubling treatment of the female protagonist in the film's latter portion. Overall, critics found the film an imperfect but sporadically engaging mainstream entertainer.

How the 11 scores spread

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 11 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (11)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    I wonder if the Indian film ritual of intermission also functions as a creative road-block. Because so many fine films derail exactly there; I call it the curse of the second half. Ishaqzaade is one of these.Faisal sets up the story with great precision. Kapoor and Chopra are terrific as the explosive twosome. The music, composed by Amit Trivedi, works well.Which is why it's so disappointing to see it unravel. Still, Ishaqzaade does provide half a good time. How many films can you say that for?

  2. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    'Ishaqzaade' benefits considerably from Amit Trivedi's excellent soundtrack and Hemant Chaturvedi's sharp cinematography. Faisal creates a believable world with charming characters, and his leads have crackling chemistry. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for director Habib Faisal's 'Ishaqzaade'. It's far from perfect, but you won't be bored.

  3. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    But overall, it feels stale, this business of using religious differences to divide true love in just this way. You can dress it how you want, with the parents and relatives of both coming off authentic, and the lines which make you smile, but at its core, it's same old same old :It's all in there, and yet the result is mixed : some of 'Ishqzaade' hits the spot, the rest is a drag.

  4. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Sadly, Ishaqzaade isn't quite as pulsating as the plot line might suggest. The script throws up some surprises all right, but the story of inter-religious love does not have legs robust enough to gallop all the way through to the end with sustained energy.After a startling end to the first half, the film's pace drops several notches in the second half as the lovers seek refuge in Chand Bibi's brothel. If only Arjun Kapoor's dialogue delivery had greater punch and Parineeti Chopra could pull off the emotional moments without going shrill, Ishaqzaade would have been a markedly better film.

  5. Top critic

    Rediff

    Film review ·

    There is much craft on display, and some lovely moments, but the immense promise shown by the first half turns out as hollow as a politician's. Soaked in sloppy sexism, the second half has the heroine repeatedly tortured -- cheated, slapped, bound, gagged, shot at and abused -- and yet the film decrees that she forgive. In the heartlands the film is set in, maafi is an all-absolving concept, an irretractable token of instant forgiveness, like a church confessional. Ishaqzaade, despite its artistry, deserves no pardon.

  6. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    On the whole, ISHAQZAADE, a volatile and intense story with ample doses of fanatical romance, should appeal to a pan-India audience. This broadly engaging love story has a winsome pair who deliver dexterous performances, besides popular music and several poignant moments, which should appeal to fans of mainstream films. Go for it!

  7. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    On the whole, Ishaqzaade is an entertaining fare which works on the strength of its first half and the performances.

  8. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    When watching a youngster from the film fraternity make his debut, you cannot but draw comparisons with LOVE STORY and QAYAMAT SE QAYAMAT TAK. While both had a similar story line with family as the opposition, the storyline of ISHAQZAADE pushes the envelope further with a cunning twist in the lover's tale.

  9. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    It's the war of the roses. And it's as (t)horny as it can get. Splattered with bandooks and badmaashi, goondas and gaalis - starts this ajab prem kahani. Firebrands Parma (Arjun Kapoor) and Zoya (Parineeti Chopra) are childhood hate-mates, born into politically warring families who've avowed to hate unto death.

  10. Bollyspice

    Film review ·

    Ishaqzaade's story may not be new but there are moments which you love and the performances which stay with you. Do watch this for the new phataka, Parineeti Chopra.

From our readers

Audience reviews (1)

1 rating · user score 4.0

  1. Midhun Ben Thomas (Dilseben)Sept 2016
    4/10

    Yash Raj films...the most famous Indian banner has been legendary in dishing out some of the most memorable romantic films through the years be it "Kabhie Kabhie", "DDLJ", "Fanaa" or the more recent "Band Baaja Baraat". After a pretty average outing last year, Yash Raj banner is back yet again with their latest venture "Ishaqzaade" which promise to be a hatke love story set against a rustic backdrop. So will this be a worthy successor to its predecessors??? There is a popular saying that power makes a person blind, which makes people strive beyond the realms of imagination even if it means baying against your own bloodline. If wars were waged in yester years to usurp kingdoms, now it's all about playing the dirty game of politics. Similarly, the Chauhans & Qureshis were arch rivals in their quest for unbridled political power. Parma (Arjun Kapoor) was the grandson of Chauhan Sr., an arrogant boisterous individual, while Zoya (Parineeti Chopra) was the free spirited, fire brand daughter of Quereshi Sr. Just as one would expect they were sworn enemies of each other, who was always on the look-out to get one up on the other. But somewhere down the line, theses warring souls takes a liking for each other. However, will their love be able to broker peace between the families??? Habib Faisal has been a regular in the Yash Raj stable over the years partaking the scripting of many a film like "Band Baaja Baarat", "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" etc. This time around, along with the scripting he has called on the shots as well after his credible debut venture "Do Dooni Char". The first half of the film is really impressive as it explores the protagonists & the fierce rivalry between the duo, but the second half kinda loses way as it offers nothing more than the usual predictable fare. But the film doesnt totally disappoint & part of that credit should go to Amit Trivedi's fantastic sound track be it "Paresha" or "Ishaqzaade" & Hemant Chaturvedi's praise worthy visuals which has been more than capable in giving a realistic rustic feel to the movie. If I have to say as to what makes me like this film then it would have to be undoubtedly the brilliant performance by Parineeti Chopra, who just make it appear that this role was tailor made for her. After her impressive debut in "Ladies Vs Ricky Behl", this film just reiterates that it wasnt a flash in the pan & she is here to stay. Being a star son has its share of pros & cons, Arjun Kapoor does enter the scene with this baggage being the son of Boney Kapoor. He does have the talent & sparkles in a number of sequences, though there is no denying that he still has got many rough edges to smoothen out. The rest of the crew also deserves praise for their natural performances. Verdict: The film will have a decent opening & should be able to hold its own. Though not in the league of its erstwhile predecessors, it still wont burn the fingers of the Yash Raj banner owing to the impressive performances of the protagonists. In short, it's worth a try!!! Rating: 2.25/5 Regards...Ben

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