7 Reasons Why Gurnam Bhullar’s Ishqan De Lekhe Might Be Too Intense For Younger Kids!
Ishqan De Lekhe Movie CBFC Rating Parental Guide and Content Warnings for Families Audience
Today is Saturday, March 7, 2026, and if you are walking through the Sector 17 market in Chandigarh or the busy streets of Ludhiana, you can feel the Ishqan De Lekhe fever in the air. Yesterday, on Friday, March 6, the much-awaited Punjabi romantic drama finally hit the big screens across India and overseas. It is not just another movie; it is a massive cultural moment because it marks the high-profile Punjabi film debut of Bigg Boss star Isha Malviya alongside the “chocolate boy” of Pollywood, Gurnam Bhullar.
Within the first 24 hours, the film has already seen over 6,500 tickets booked on major platforms, proving that the audience is hungry for a soulful love story. However, as families plan their weekend outings, a big question is popping up on social media: is this a film you can safely watch with your children, or does it hide a darker, more mature side beneath its beautiful songs?
The Punjabi film industry is currently undergoing a massive shift where filmmakers are moving away from loud comedies and experimenting with deep, emotional narratives.
Ishqan De Lekhe, directed by Manvir Brar, is the perfect example of this evolution. It tells the story of Samar, a charismatic college leader, and his intense relationship with a reserved girl named Jasneet. While the trailer promised a sweet romance, the actual film is being described by early viewers as a “soulful journey” filled with sacrifice and destiny. This change in tone has caught some parents off guard, especially those who were expecting a lighthearted musical like Gurnam’s previous hits. The buzz is real, and the stakes are high because the film is being distributed PAN India by Panorama Studios, reaching audiences far beyond the traditional Punjab belt.
Is our audience actually ready to handle a tragic romance during a family outing? There is a growing observation that while Indian families love “love stories,” they are often unprepared for the psychological weight that modern dramas carry.

Many people assume that a Punjabi movie with a popular singer is automatically a “kid-friendly” zone, but Ishqan De Lekhe challenges that assumption with its UA 13+ certificate. The real question is: are we as parents looking at the age ratings, or are we just following the hype of our favorite stars? The current mood suggests that while the youth are loving the emotional depth, parents with younger children are feeling a bit hesitant about the film’s “heartbreaking” themes.
The UA 13+ Rating and Content Warnings for Ishqan De Lekhe
If you are planning to head to the theater today, you need to understand what that UA 13+ rating actually means for your family. This is not a “U” rated film like a cartoon or a generic comedy. It means that the Central Board of Film Certification suggests parental guidance for children under the age of 13 because of the mature themes involved.
The Emotional Weight and “Heartbreak”
Unlike many romantic movies that end with a happy dance, this film explores the pain of separation and family expectations. According to BookMyShow, the movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 23 minutes, which can be quite long for younger kids to sit through, especially during the slower, more emotional second half. The story deals with “personal choices” being pulled in opposite directions, which might be a bit too heavy or confusing for a child under 10.
College Politics and Intensity
The film starts with Gurnam Bhullar playing a “charismatic college leader”. This setting naturally involves scenes of college rivalry and high-intensity confrontations. While there is no reports of extreme “A-rated” violence, the aggression of college politics can sometimes be loud and intimidating for toddlers.
Romantic Intensity and Social Pressure
The chemistry between Gurnam and Isha is being called promising and fresh, but it is also very intense. The film dives into how social pressure and family rules can crush a relationship. These are adult concepts that require a certain level of maturity to understand. As per the audience reviews on Punjabi Teshan, the film is being praised for its “awesome story,” but many emphasize that it is a serious drama rather than a fun-filled romp.
Why the “Parental Guide” Matters This Weekend
The narrative timeline of this release shows that the film was strategically positioned to capture the young adult demographic. Panorama Studios secured the rights in early 2026 specifically because they saw the “pan-India” appeal of Isha Malviya after her reality TV success. This means the film is designed to look sleek, modern, and emotionally resonant. However, for a family in a city like Delhi or Amritsar, the “family-friendliness” of a movie is often judged by how “safe” the jokes are. In Ishqan De Lekhe, the humor is secondary to the heartache.
The film has already secured a strong 8.3/10 rating from over a hundred verified voters, showing that those who did watch it were satisfied with the quality. But a high rating does not always mean it is for everyone. Trade experts are already comparing the film’s emotional impact to classics like Qismat, which also had a UA rating but left audiences in tears. If your kids are sensitive to sad endings or intense emotional scenes, you might want to consider a different option like Viyaah Kartaare Da or Bambukat 2, which are also showing in many theaters right now.
Looking forward, the success of Ishqan De Lekhe will likely prove that Punjabi cinema can thrive on serious, high-quality storytelling. The film is expected to have a strong first week, especially in overseas markets like the UK and Canada, where the Punjabi diaspora is already booking shows in Cineworld and other major chains. As the weekend progresses, the “word of mouth” will likely shift from the songs to the performances of Rana Ranbir and the rest of the supporting cast.
Listen, I love Gurnam Bhullar, and Isha Malviya has absolutely killed it in her first movie.
Their chemistry is fire. But let’s be real—this is not a movie for a five-year-old. It is a mature, emotional, and somewhat “heavy” love story that will make you think about your own life. If you have teenagers, take them!
It is a great way to show them high-quality Punjabi cinema. But if you have toddlers who just want to see a hero dancing, you might end up with a very cranky child by the second hour. It is a solid 4/5 for the story, but use your brain before taking the whole paltan to the theater!
Original Source: The UA 13+ rating and official plot synopsis were first confirmed by BookMyShow and Panorama Studios.
Question For You: Do you think Punjabi movies are getting too serious lately, or do you prefer these emotional “tear-jerkers” over the old comedies? Let me know in the comments!
