Review: 'Ishq Vishk Rebound' gives you the best 'us bro us' moments woven into a breezy & lazy love story

Ishq Vishk has always been one of those comfort films you put on a dull mood day to brighten up the day. Well, it was an innocent love story set in the '90s, and now, after almost two decades, we are here with its successor 'Ishq Vishk Rebound' dealing with more 'Gen-Z' kind of love, breakups and, of course 'rebounds'. Swiping in with this new-age story are a bunch of stunning new=age actors- Rohit Saraf, Niala Grewal and the newcomers Pashmina Roshan and Jibran Khan. So let's see what this bunch of newbies have in store for us and how this 'Ishq Vishk' take over our hearts. 

Plot and Progression

Firstly, if you are a millennial or a boomer, 'Ishq Vishk Rebound' is a short guide for 'how love works these days' for you, and if you are a Gen Z, it's 1 hour 45 minutes of relatable saga, making you go 'us bro us' almost ten times or more.

The film's premise is as simple yet complicated as today's generation. Three best friends, Raghav(Rohit Saraf), Sania(Pashmina Roshan), and Sahir(Jibraan Khan), have been inseparable since childhood. The latter two are dating, and Raghav third-wheels them all through his teen years. 

Finally, Raghav finds love in Riya( Naila Grewal), and everything seems all good until the cliched troupe of breakup patch-up begins and Sania-Sahir breaks up, also leading to Raghav and Riya breaking up. What ensues next is the typical GenZ funda of figuring out whom you love, the phase of moving on and finding your rebound. Director Nipun Dharmadhikari beautifully encapsulates the chaos of love, friendships and drama, which is relatable and fresh.

Screenplay

But the screenplay of the film is bothersome. While there are no pacing issues regarding being dragged or lengthy, it's quite the opposite: things feel rushed and disjointed at points. The characters have been given layers, but their arc, especially with Riya, remains unclosed. 

Packaging

Rohit and Naila's love story starts and ends in the blink of an eye, leaving you with questions and doubts. The film's second half is rather immersive, with the emotional aspect turning in and introducing other factors like dysfunctional families, self-finding, and nurturing bonds.

Performances

Talking about the performances, Rohit Saraf, as always, is the cute, charming chocolate boy who instantly grabs your attention. This time, he can be seen breaking the fourth wall, which I admit does not always land, but in some sequences, it's masterfully done. Kudos to Nipun for trying this and the narration format for the story-telling. Pashmina Roshan has a good screen presence and gives an earnest performance as her debut, but of course, leaving room for a lot more exploration and depth. 

Jibraan Khan stands out for me as the ultimate cutie, totally in his element and keeping it natural. His innocence, humour, and 'lover-boy' aura just fall right into place, and he indeed has a long, long way to go. 

Well, Naila Grewal's role almost feels like a cameo, and that's the saddest part because you yearn to see more of her. She is raw and meaty, and I really wish there was more to her character. 

The film also had some note-worthy cameos like Kusha Kapila, Sheeba Chaddha, Supriya Pilgaonkar and others, elevating the plot and staying true to their roles. 

Music

The film's music definitely deserves a shout-out. As we already know, all the songs have been trending since their release and make up for the shoddy treatment of the screenplay. Rochak Kohli made sure to keep the originality by reusing the old songs, and this really worked well. 

The Verdict

Overall, Ishq Vishk Rebound is a breezy, feel-good rom-com that you can easily add to your list of uplifting movies. Featuring a fresh cast of rising stars and accompanied by a great soundtrack, it offers a relatable and enjoyable experience.

Rating

***( 3/5) stars