Ishq is a simple film meant for children, the young-at-heart, and people wanting to see great actors at work. It proves that the story need not be new or novel, to make a movie really good. Ignore the cliches because you will love the performances of Aamir, Juhi, Kajol and Ajay. I feel that this foursome has as much, if not more, talent than the overhyped stars of yesteryears. Anyone willing to repeat this team in another movie? Just give them interesting characters; the story is optional.
The story is a melange of the poor guy/rich girl, poor girl/rich guy theme. Poverty-hating fathers play barriers, trying to rearrange the situational dynamics to rich girl/rich guy, poor girl/poor guy. Kajol and Ajay (self-titled characters) are the quiet, intense, brooding lovers, while Raja and Madhoo (Aamir and Juhi) are the ’I will kill you before I love you’ confrontational type. The characters are well defined, and take full advantage of each actor’s talents. If Aamir and Juhi excel at comedy in the first half, then Kajol and Ajay - I never knew he was so talented - steal most post-interval dramatics. Of course, both pairs also have an innate chemistry, and the team is co-operative, rather than competitive.
The song and dance sequences are above average. (Only ’’Humko Tumse Pyar Hai’’ is the best and entertaining and the actress who was there in this song just fantastic. Ajay and Aamir must have enjoyed a lot doing that particular song .)