What happens when a love story unfolds between two strangers who can’t see each other… literally? Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan takes that delicate premise and turns it into a 90-minute poetic ride inspired by Ruskin Bond’s The Eyes Have It. Starring the ever-consistent Vikrant Massey and debutante Shanaya Kapoor, this film steps away from over-the-top drama and dares to be soft, still, and soulful. But let’s not pretend the name Kapoor isn’t part of the ticket pull. The question is, does Shanaya serve anything beyond her lineage?
Release Date & Credits
- Release Date: July 11, 2025
- Platform: Theatrical release
- Director: Santosh Singh
- Producers: Mansi Bagla (also writer), Varun Bagla, Zee Studios, Mini Films, Open Window Films
- Cast: Vikrant Massey, Shanaya Kapoor
- Music: Vishal Mishra
What’s Good?
Vishal Mishra’s Score: Baby, it’s a VIBE.
The real romance in this film is between the script and Vishal’s background score. It’s lush, moody, and knows when to whisper. Even when the dialogue stumbles, the music steps up with a soft hand on your back like “I gotchu.”
Visual Aesthetic: Minimalist, but Make It Cinematic
Muted tones, dimly lit train compartments, long pauses… this one’s shot like a modern-day ghazal. It’s not cluttered. It breathes. You’re not watching the film, you’re gliding through it.
Vikrant Massey: As Reliable As Your Therapist
Massey stays true to his signature style: soulful eyes, subdued sorrow, and those soft, knowing smiles. He delivers restraint like a king, making silence feel more expressive than monologues.
What’s Meh?
Shanaya’s Debut: Soft Landed, But No Sonic Boom
Look, she ain’t no flop… but she’s no firecracker either. Shanaya moves through the film with grace and polish, but girl, where’s the rawness? The risk? Her performance feels like it’s still in a box labelled “Fragile: Handle with Care.”
Chemistry: Like Lighting Damp Firewood
You’d think blind love would be hot. Instead, their chemistry is polite. Vikrant’s trying; Shanaya’s trying. But together? It’s giving… mutual respect. Not romance. Not that spark-slap tension we crave.
Thin Plot: Long on Aesthetic, Short on Meat
Ruskin Bond’s story is 4 pages long, and this film tries to stretch it into 90 minutes. Girl, that’s a skincare routine, not a story arc. At times, you feel like you’re waiting for something that never fully arrives.
Star Kid Showdown: Shanaya vs. Suhana vs. Khushi
Okay, let’s not pretend we’re not all watching these girls like it’s Project Runway: Bollywood Edition. Suhana Khan (The Archies) made a sleek entry on Netflix, but struggled to deliver emotional depth in her scenes. Trying, yes. Gripping? Not yet. Khushi Kapoor showed a touch of vulnerability and sweetness, but her performance felt more passive & robotic. More of a critical robotic, not a cute one.
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Shanaya Kapoor, in comparison?
She appears to be the most composed of the three. Less gimmick, more grounded. She doesn’t overdo the emotions, which works for this role, but also keeps her in the “potential” zone rather than the “breakthrough” one. Verdict? Shanaya leads in subtlety, but is still waiting for that main-character aura to kick in.
Worth Watching?
If you’re in the mood for a soft, quiet detour from loud Bollywood melodrama. Then yes, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan could feel like a warm hug from an old song. But if you’re looking for gripping emotional breakdowns, crackling chemistry, or a debut that’ll shake the industry? Girl… keep it moving. This film is like a feather drifting in slow motion; gentle, graceful, and pretty to watch… but not strong enough to stir the air. Excitement meter – 78%
Written By MANSI SINGH