Shehnaaz Gill on long-distance love: 'Doubt increases, but so does value'
Synopsis
Shehnaaz Gill isn't just promoting a film — she's laying bare the contradiction at the heart of long-distance love: the more the distance, the more the value, and the more the doubt. With Ishqnama releasing on 24 July, set against the India-Pakistan border of the 1980s, her candour feels like a preview of the emotional stakes the film promises to deliver.
Key Takeaways
Shehnaaz Gill says distance increases both the value of love and the doubt it breeds, in remarks ahead of Ishqnama 's release.
Ishqnama is a period romance set between 1981 and 1988 along the India-Pakistan border , based on real-life soulmates Nimma and Nasima .
The film is adapted from the book Hind Pak Bordernama , directed by Arvvindr S.
Khaira , with music by B Praak and lyrics by Jaani .
Cast includes Jai Randhhawa , Shehnaaz Gill , and Saurabh Sachdeva .
Worldwide release across India , Canada , and the UK on 24 July .
Actress Shehnaaz Gill has opened up about the emotional push-and-pull of long-distance relationships, sharing candid thoughts ahead of the release of her upcoming Punjabi film Ishqnama, set to hit screens worldwide on 24 July. The film, a period romance rooted in a true story, gives Gill's reflections a personal and thematic resonance.
What Shehnaaz Said About Distance and Love
Speaking about whether separation strengthens or erodes love, Gill offered a nuanced take. 'When there is distance, then the value of love increases. Yes, the value increases. But you don't know what the person is doing behind. So yes, the doubt increases. The importance of the person increases. But if love is close then there is no need for space,' she said.
The observation captures a tension that resonates widely — distance amplifying both longing and insecurity in equal measure. Gill's framing is notably unsentimental, acknowledging the anxiety that physical separation breeds alongside the idealism.
About the Film: Ishqnama
Ishqnama is a period romantic drama set between 1981 and 1988, tracing the love story of real-life soulmates Nimma and Nasima along the India-Pakistan border. Adapted from the book Hind Pak Bordernama, the film explores love, sacrifice, and the psychological cost of forced separation — themes that lend weight to Gill's off-screen reflections.
The film is directed by Arvvindr S. Khaira and produced by Sourabh Rana and Ravneet Kaur Chahal. The cast includes Jai Randhhawa, Shehnaaz Gill, and Saurabh Sachdeva, with music composed by B Praak and lyrics by Jaani — a pairing that has delivered emotionally charged soundtracks before.
On Modern Love vs Timeless Love
Asked whether a love as profound as Nimma and Nasima's could survive in today's era of dating apps and swipe culture, Gill was philosophical. 'I think there are different type of love. No matter what kind of love. There should be love. Whether it's today's or yesterday's. That doesn't matter. But there should be love,' she said.
The response sidesteps nostalgia for a more grounded universalism — love defined not by its era or medium, but by its presence.
Release and Reach
Ishqnama is slated for a worldwide release across India, Canada, and the UK on 24 July. The film's cross-border setting and true-story foundation position it as more than a conventional Punjabi romantic drama — it arrives at a time when India-Pakistan narratives carry layered political and emotional weight for diaspora audiences as well.
Point of View
Which is a more honest take than the usual 'distance makes the heart grow fonder' script. For a film built around forced separation across the India-Pakistan border, that emotional honesty is the right pitch. Whether Ishqnama can translate that into box-office traction for Punjabi cinema in a crowded July release window is the real question.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ishqnama about?
Ishqnama is a Punjabi period romantic drama set between 1981 and 1988 along the India-Pakistan border, chronicling the true love story of Nimma and Nasima. It is adapted from the book Hind Pak Bordernama and explores love, sacrifice, and forced separation.
When does Ishqnama release?
Ishqnama is set for a worldwide release on 24 July, across India, Canada, and the UK.
Who directed and produced Ishqnama?
The film is directed by Arvvindr S. Khaira and produced by Sourabh Rana and Ravneet Kaur Chahal. Music is by B Praak, with lyrics by Jaani.
What did Shehnaaz Gill say about long-distance love?
Shehnaaz Gill said that distance increases both the value of love and the doubt that accompanies it. She noted that when someone is far away, their importance grows, but so does uncertainty about what they may be doing.
Who else stars in Ishqnama alongside Shehnaaz Gill?
The film stars Jai Randhhawa, Shehnaaz Gill, and Saurabh Sachdeva, along with an ensemble cast.
