Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Movie Review: This romantic drama, directed by Santosh Singh, is based on Ruskin Bond’s short story The Eyes Have It. The film stars Vikrant Massey and introduces Shanaya Kapoor in her debut role.
With scenic visuals and a soulful soundtrack, the film tries to offer a poetic love story. But despite its charm, it struggles to hold attention. Let’s explore what works and what doesn’t.
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5 stars)
Genre: Romance
Release Date, Director, and Cast
- Cast: Vikrant Massey, Shanaya Kapoor, Zain Khan Durrani
- Director: Santosh Singh
- Release Date: 11 July 2025
- Language: Hindi
Plot Summary
The story follows Jahaan (Vikrant Massey), a blind musician who sees the world through poetry and sound. On a train journey, he meets Saba (Shanaya Kapoor), a theatre artist. She hides a secret- she is also visually impaired.
Their short encounter becomes something more. They connect over shared emotions and dreams. But before they can express their feelings, they part ways.
The rest of the film shows their separate journeys. It asks a simple question: Will love bring them back together?
Performances
- Vikrant Massey shines as Jahaan. His performance feels natural and moving. He avoids overacting and keeps it real.
- Shanaya Kapoor makes a promising debut. She delivers emotions well and brings freshness to the screen.
- Zain Khan Durrani and the supporting cast are fine, but their roles are too short to leave a strong impact. makes a promising debut. She delivers emotions well and brings freshness to the screen.
Music & Visuals
- Vishal Mishra’s music stands out. Songs like Nazara and Alvida add depth to the romance.
- Cinematography by Tanveer Mir is beautiful. The film captures Mussoorie and Dehradun with care and elegance.
Box Office Collection of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan had a slow start at the box office, collecting just ₹0.35 crore on Day 1. Day 2 showed minor growth with ₹0.50 crore, followed by ₹0.41 crore on Day 3. The opening weekend total stood at around ₹1.20 crore.
The film saw a sharp drop on weekdays. Day 4 earned ₹0.30 crore, and Day 5 slipped to ₹0.14 crore. With just ₹0.09 crore on Day 6, the total six-day collection reached approximately ₹1.68 crore.
Made on an estimated ₹25 crore budget, the film has recovered only a small fraction of its cost. Despite Vikrant Massey’s strong performance and Shanaya Kapoor’s debut, the movie struggled to draw crowds.
Facing stiff competition from Superman and Maalik, the film lacked momentum. Mixed reviews and weak word-of-mouth further hurt its reach, especially among younger audiences.
In short, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is underperforming and appears headed toward box office failure unless a major turnaround happens.
Why the Film Isn’t Working
Despite good music and acting, the film falls short in several areas:
1. Weak Script: The story feels stretched. It could have been tighter and more engaging.
2. Flat Emotions: While the setup is emotional, the film never builds real drama. The feelings stay on one level throughout.
3. Outdated Storytelling: The film tries to be timeless, but it feels old-fashioned. Today’s viewers want fresh ideas and bold scripts.
4. Unfunny Comedy: Forced humor breaks the emotional tone. It feels misplaced.
5. Wrong Expectations: The trailer suggests a light romance, but the film is slow and serious. This mismatch may disappoint viewers.
Final Verdict
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a visually charming and musically rich romantic drama that tries to capture the magic of old-school love stories. Vikrant Massey delivers a heartfelt performance, and Shanaya Kapoor impresses in her debut with grace and sincerity. However, the film falters in its storytelling. The plot feels stretched and predictable, lacking the emotional highs that audiences expect from a love story. While the aesthetics and soundtrack create a soothing atmosphere, the narrative never fully grips you. For fans of slow, poetic romances, this might be a decent one-time watch. But for most viewers, it may feel like a missed opportunity that doesn’t quite live up to its potential.
FAQs
Q: What is Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan about?
A: Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a romantic drama about two visually impaired individuals, Jahaan and Saba, who connect during a train journey. The story explores love, fate, and missed opportunities.
Q: Who are the lead actors in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan?
A: The film stars Vikrant Massey as Jahaan and Shanaya Kapoor as Saba. This marks Shanaya’s debut in Bollywood.
Q: Is Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan based on a book?
A: Yes, the movie is inspired by Ruskin Bond’s short story The Eyes Have It, which is known for its emotional and symbolic narrative.
Q: Why is Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan not working at the box office?
A: Despite strong performances and visuals, the film suffers from predictable storytelling, slow pacing, and a lack of emotional depth, which have affected audience interest.
Q: Where can I watch Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan?
A: The movie was released in theatres in July 2025. OTT release details are yet to be officially announced.
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