If you grew up in the 90s, the mention of Ishq instantly brings back memories of packed theaters, booming soundtracks, and that unmistakable Bollywood masala energy. Released in 1997 and directed by Indra Kumar, the film was more than just a movie, it was an event. With a stellar cast of Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Juhi Chawla, and Kajol, audiences couldn’t wait to see these four come together on the big screen.
The charm of Ishq lay in its pure, unapologetic entertainment. The story itself was melodramatic and, at times, over-the-top, but that was exactly the point. Aamir Khan brought his signature romantic hero energy, while Ajay Devgn added intensity and action-ready bravado. Juhi Chawla and Kajol sparkled with youthful exuberance, creating a chemistry that felt effortless and magnetic. Seeing Juhi and Kajol together was a novelty that fans couldn’t stop talking about, and their playful banter, combined with the heroes’ charm, made the film irresistible.
Music played a huge role in the movie’s success. Anu Malik’s soundtrack dominated every radio station and TV channel. Songs like “Ishq Hua” and “Neend Churai Meri” became anthems for an entire generation, played endlessly at college hangouts, family gatherings, and even street corners. In an era before streaming, music alone could make a film unforgettable, and Ishq had songs that embedded themselves into pop culture almost instantly.
Box-office numbers reflected the craze. The film earned around ₹24.9 crore in India and grossed about ₹45.6 crore worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing film of 1997 after Dil To Pagal Hai and Border. For a film with an estimated budget of ₹11 crore, it was a massive hit, a testament to the magic of star power, music, and pure masala filmmaking.
Critics, predictably, had their reservations. Many found the story excessive and the drama bordering on absurd. But audiences didn’t care, they were there for the thrill, the laughs, the tears, and the spectacle. Grand family confrontations, comic interludes with Johnny Lever, romantic duets, and the melodramatic villains all came together to create a film that was chaotic, emotional, and entirely entertaining. Those scenes, larger than life and packed with energy, are still fondly remembered today.
Behind the scenes, there were fascinating stories. Ishq is one of the rare films where Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn shared leading roles. Originally, the filmmakers considered casting Karisma Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit alongside the heroes, but ultimately Juhi and Kajol got the parts, creating an on-screen chemistry that became iconic. Even Aamir Khan reportedly chose the film partly for its commercial promise, a pragmatic choice in a career that would later be defined by selective, often unconventional scripts.
Decades later, Ishq remains a nostalgic time capsule of 90s Bollywood. It captures an era when movies were loud, colorful, and unapologetically entertaining. It reminds us of a time when audiences didn’t just watch a film, they celebrated it, discussed it, sang along to it, and made it a part of their everyday lives. For fans of Bollywood masala, Ishq isn’t just a movie, it’s an experience, a memory, and a testament to the magic of that unforgettable cinematic decade.
