The much-anticipated reboot of the beloved 2003 film “Ishq Vishk,” titled “Ishq Vishk Rebound,” is set to grace the silver screen soon. Producer Ramesh Taurani, who is behind the revival of the Nipun Dharmadhikari-directed project, sees this as an opportunity to rekindle the magic of romance in Bollywood. Speaking to the press, Taurani emphasized the current dearth of romantic narratives in the mainstream cinema landscape.
“Action, drama, and army-themed films have dominated the screens lately,” Taurani remarked. “A poignant young love story complemented by melodious music seems to be missing, and ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’ aims to fill that void.”
The original “Ishq Vishk,” released two decades ago, was a popular college romantic comedy that launched the Bollywood career of Shahid Kapoor. Taurani believes the substantial gap between the original and its reboot was necessary to ensure the project’s success. He stated, “It’s a ground rule at my studio—no reboots until the script convinces everyone. This film tackles modern romantic challenges, exploring the fragility of love, rapid break-ups, and behaviors influenced by social media.”
One of the intriguing points Taurani touched upon was the casting process for the new film. Aside from the common theme of young love, Taurani hopes to emulate the success of the original film’s cast by introducing new faces: Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Jibraan Khan, and Naila Grewal.
“We specifically wanted newcomers for these roles. While Rohit Saraf has already experienced some fame, this film will mark his debut as a mainstream hero,” Taurani explained. “We conducted five rounds of auditions to find our cast. Interestingly, Pashmina Roshan was one of the 15 girls shortlisted, and we were initially unaware of her family background. Only during the contract process did we discover she belongs to the Roshan family—the daughter of Rajesh Roshan and cousin of Hrithik Roshan. Neither Rajesh nor Hrithik ever approached me to consider her for the role. Her selection was purely on merit.”
Taurani further elaborated on the strict merit-based selection process, highlighting how lineage does not guarantee success in the film industry. “Merit matters more than anything, whether you’re an outsider or a so-called ‘nepo kid’. From the ’80s until now, we’ve seen many actors with influential backgrounds not succeed as expected,” he noted.
. “With the original ‘Ishq Vishk’, we introduced Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, and Shenaz Treasury. Shahid is a superstar today, and Shenaz received numerous offers post the film. We aspire to replicate this success with these new talents.”
Adding more excitement to his announcements, Taurani mentioned ongoing efforts to create a sequel to another significant film from the late ’90s—Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta’s “Soldier.” “We’re in the midst of finalizing the script for this sequel. Good writing is a cornerstone of our filmmaking approach. I’ve always believed in approaching actors with well-crafted scripts, never with requests to replicate or rip off existing work,” Taurani asserted.
As the industry looks forward to “Ishq Vishk Rebound,” it is poised to be more than just a revival. It is an effort to bring back the classic charm of a college romance while addressing contemporary issues of modern love. With a blend of nostalgia and new perspectives, fans of the original film and new audiences alike have high expectations.
The cast members, too, bring their own unique flair, promising to carry forward the legacy of the original film. Rohit Saraf, who has already won hearts with his previous performances, is set to break into the mainstream spotlight. Pashmina Roshan, despite her influential lineage, enters the industry on her own merit, determined to make a mark.
The choice of Jibraan Khan and Naila Grewal signifies Taurani’s commitment to bringing fresh talent to the forefront, much like how Shahid Kapoor emerged as a household name with the original “Ishq Vishk.”
Taurani’s passion for maintaining a high standard of content is palpable, as he continues to steer the ship with a clear vision for the future of his projects. “Good storytelling is timeless,” he said. “Whether it’s a love story from 2003 or 2023, the fundamental emotions remain the same—we just need to adapt them to reflect the lives and times of today’s youth.”
As the release date for “Ishq Vishk Rebound” approaches, the excitement and expectations are palpable. In an era dominated by action and drama, this film promises to be a breath of fresh air, reminding audiences of the simple yet profound emotions experienced during the youth’s years of love and self-discovery.
In summary, Taurani’s clear emphasis on merit, alongside his dedication to a good script and introducing new talent, reflects a broader trend in Bollywood—one that seeks to blend the past’s charm while innovating for the future. Whether “Ishq Vishk Rebound” can capture the hearts of a new generation as its predecessor did remains to be seen, but the groundwork laid by Taurani suggests it has every chance of succeeding.
