Rating: 2.5/5

I watched Ishq Vishk Rebound last night and I’ve got a bunch of thoughts about everything there is. The film’s songs have been all over the internet and every second reel turns out to be a trending song from this movie. However, much like the three best friends and their equations, this movie too, is quite complicated!

The movie features Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Jibraan Khan and Naila Greewal in lead roles. Without any further adieu, let’s dive right into my honest review of Ishq Vishk Rebound.

From ‘Ishq Vishk’ To ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’

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When you look back, you see how Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao’s original movie was toxic, at least in parts. But this rebound version, well, it honestly gets a lot of the red flags of Gen Z right, to say the least. The first half of this almost two-hour long movie passes in a jiffy with a bunch of kisses, some songs, and barely any story to tell.

All you know at this point is that there are three best friends, two of whom are dating, therefore leaving the third in a bali ka bakra situation. Eventually, things settle down in the second half, and that’s where you see the movie, the cast, and the writing find some footing.

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Interestingly, I did not see the trailer before walking into the film, so as to make sure that I do not have any pre-conceived notion about it, given that the original Ishq Vishk (even with its flaws), has been a fun watch for me. And truth be told, it did help, because the jump from everything in the first half to the second, is what made this film a partly decent watch.

Rohit’s Raghav is narrating this story, and there are parts that run in parallels (in the now and then), and that is something that was an interesting idea, but did need work. Director Nipun Dharmadhikari along with writers Vaishali Naik, Vinay Chhawal, and Ketan Pedgaonkar sure had a lot to work with, but there seems to be a lot to work on!

The movie leaves you wanting to see more of Jibraan Khan

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The screen-time becomes a major problem with Ishq Vishk Rebound, and while I am not surprised, it did feel like Jibraan and Naila did deserve more, especially the latter. Those who’ve seen her in Thappad and Maamla Legal Hai, know. Her character, much like her role, is sidelined, so not much to say there, though! However, Jibraan as Sahir, I believe, was a performer and character that deserved more. Be it him standing up for himself or his relationships (and friendships) on-screen, his character arc got interesting towards the end, but well, it was the end!

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Rohit Sarafas Raghav Pandit is cute, not-so-charming (character), but keeps this film from falling, but the ride? Much like Raghav’s friendships and relationships, it isn’t quite smooth sailing. He breaks the fourth wall on multiple occasions but sadly, it barely lands, apart from a few relevant moments. However, much like the film, he does pick up pace in the second half, so points for that!

Pashmina as Sanya, unfortunately, doesn’t click. While it is easy for that fine line between her character and the actor getting blurry, this being the first of her work, there are too many gaps to fill here. You do come around her character towards the end, but her? Not so much! Supriya Pilgaonkar and Sheeba Chadha, in their very brief roles, do make a mark, and it is the latter’s dialogue that strikes a chord the minute she says it.

She says, while being one of the actors starring in Raghav’s work – ‘Problems hai, lekin yeh characters jitne shiddat se unko solve karne ki koshish kar rahe hai, peeche nahi hatt rhe…’, much like is the case for this movie as well! So there’s that!

What doesn’t work for ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’

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When it’s a movie like this, with a cast that’s so young and fresh, you expect to feel an instant connection. However, that doesn’t happen here, and in fact, it takes a lot of time to build a rapport through the screen, but by the time there’s something, the movie comes to a close.

Even with all the funny moments and bits, you feel like something is missing, and that’s an issue that even the second half of the movie fails to get past. Not all performances live up to our expectations and disappointingly, neither does the writing.

All’s well that ends well?

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You know that the movie will have a happy ending, but what is that happy ending, is what the question arises! So much like the movie ends on a happy note, you do walk out of the theatres with a smile and some joyous sequences, so in the end, it works out, and yet, not quite! Even with the bunch of songs, you don’t feel irked by them, also probably because they’re quite good, so that’s another thing that works massively in the film’s favour!

However, I am impressed by how things begin to look up in the second half, given how the first half turned out to be a complete miss. While I’ve heard it on multiple occasions that you shouldn’t be dissecting a movie like that, it holds true for this one, that there’s quite a difference, but for better!

Our verdict

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There’s visible noise about Ishq Vishk Rebound and honestly, it is understandable, because look at the cast. However, there’s a lot better that one would expect when there’s a reputation that precedes a movie. It is, the performances that try to save the day along with some great songs, but barring that, there’s not a lot to watch here, and believe you me, I am probably as disappointed as you are (since you did read this till here)!

I am not saying don’t watch it though, but maybe lower your expectations a little! And yet, who knows, you might like it?

Lead and social image credits: Tips Official