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Issaq

26 July 2013Hindi2h 28m
Romance
out of 10
Unfavorablemost critics didn't like it
Monk Score · 11 scored reviews · 2 not rated

A tedious Romeo-Juliet retelling that pretty visuals can't save from its hollow script.

Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Cinematography and visual compositions
  • Criticised: Weak screenplay and unconvincing story

Audience

User score 2.0 out of 10 from 1 rating, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 1 audience review ↓

Not streaming in India

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Critic consensus

What 13 critics are saying

Critical consensus on Issaq is overwhelmingly negative, with most reviewers finding it a tedious and unconvincing retelling of the Romeo and Juliet story. The film's cinematography received isolated acknowledgment, but reviewers broadly condemned the weak, poorly constructed screenplay and the film's inability to generate emotional engagement. Several critics specifically called out the lead performance and an overlong, meandering narrative. Few found any portions absorbing, and most considered the film a test of patience not worth enduring.

How the 11 scores spread

2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

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

AI-generated summary of 13 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (13)

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

  2. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for 'Issaq'. Shakespeare won't be thrilled. And neither will you.

  3. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    All that Issaq manages to be, despite all the sparkling compositions that the cinematographer strings together, is an unconvincing story of ill-fated love. It is not at all easy to sit through.

  5. Top critic

    Rediff

    Film review ·

    Issaq is a shoddily written film with a cringeworthy performance from its leading man Prateik Babbar

  6. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    On the whole, ISSAQ is absorbing and convincing in parts, not in entirety. The final outcome could've been even more impactful had it not been stretched.

  7. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Issaq is a tedious film which retells the story of amateur love. A flaky plot and wavering narrative makes Issaq a novel concept that is compromised at the altar of the director's need to prove his artistic bent. I am going with a 2/5 for this one. Those precious 2 hours of my life are never returning! What a tragedy – for me!

  9. Mumbai Mirror

    Film review ·

    Issaq requires tremendous effort and patience to get through (let alone like), and in the end, it is simply not worth it.

  11. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    The plot is like a pack of cards stacked one above the other; a slight hint of a gentle breeze and it blows away.

  12. BookMyShow

    Film review ·

    Issaq is a courageous attempt at bringing out a desi Romeo & Juliet but you'd definitely be more interested in munching popcorns rather than watching what's going on screen.

From our readers

Audience reviews (1)

1 rating · user score 2.0

  1. Shashwat SisodiaOct 2019
    2/10

    God, its just horrifying to even think that there are people who think that they'll make lots of box office money or audience popularity by making screen presence in romances like these! Seriously, if you want to see the cheapest way we Indians observe Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' and want a slice of how a hyper male lover sings and dances with a *swaying skirts* female lover in a generic, poorly written UP setting, go watch it and dom't waste time in reading this. It is the most badly performed film of the year with no likeability.

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