🎬 What is Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan?
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a 2025 Hindi‑language romantic drama from India, directed by Santosh Singh and written-producer Mansi Bagla. Adapted from Ruskin Bond’s beloved short story The Eyes Have It, it explores the connection between two people who fall in love without seeing each other’s faces. Release date: 11 July 2025 .
⭐ Star Cast & Crew
| Role | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jahaan | Vikrant Massey | Plays a visually impaired musician. Known for emotionally rich performances . |
| Saba Shergill | Shanaya Kapoor | Makes her Bollywood debut as a theatre artist experimenting with method acting . |
| Abhinav | Zain Khan Durrani | Saba’s co-star in the second half . |
| Director | Santosh Singh | Previously known for “Broken But Beautiful” . |
| Screenplay/Writer/Producer | Mansi Bagla | Inspired by Ruskin Bond, blends vintage romance with Gen‑Z relatability . |
🎥 Trailer Highlights
The official trailer, dropped 1 July, shows Vikrant and Shanaya sharing tender moments on a train journey, building chemistry without visual cues—a truly fresh take on romantic storytelling (Wikipedia). Look out for Shanaya’s blindfolded sequences and Vikrant’s heartfelt dialogue delivery.
📺 OTT Release (USA, Canada, UK, India)
- Theatrical premiere: 11 July 2025 across India, including cities in the USA, Canada, and UK where Bollywood films are screened.
- Digital streaming: Zee5 holds post-theatrical rights, expected 4–8 weeks after release (The Times of India, mint).
- Target audiences: Indian diaspora in USA, Canada, UK, and India can enjoy a feel-good romance steeped in nostalgia.
💬 Early Reviews & Critic Response
India Today
Shanaya Kapoor impresses in her debut, but the predictable plot undercuts emotional depth. Clichés and forced humour hamper the narrative. (India Today)
Times of India
A heartwarming one-time watch rated 3.0/5. Lavish cinematography and Vikrant’s nuanced performance stand out, though the post-interval storyline falls into familiar tropes. (The Times of India)
Filmfare
Praised for its “whisper-like screenplay” and strong leads, but falters in the second half’s melodrama. 3.0/5, described as “dreamy romance that derails swiftly.” (Filmfare)
Koimoi
Notes “sincerely charming chemistry” between Massey and Kapoor. Critiques include stretched scenes and suspension‑of‑belief moments. (Koimoi)
Mixed Social Buzz
Some social media users applaud its “fresh warmth of love” and stunning cinematography, while others feel the pacing falters post-interval (mint).
✅ Pros & Cons
✅ Highlights
- Lead chemistry: Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor create believable tenderness and charm (Koimoi).
- Cinematography: Tanveer Mir captures Mussoorie and European locales in evocative detail (Wikipedia).
- Music: Vishal Mishra’s soundtrack, including “Nazara”, the title track by Jubin Nautiyal, and “Alvida”, perfectly complement the emotional tone (Wikipedia).
- Representation: Treats blindness with dignity—no pity, only empathy .
⚠️ Challenges
- Predictable narrative: Second half resorts to formulaic romance and reunions, losing freshness .
- Pacing issues: Overlong scenes test patience; dialogue occasionally heavy-handed .
- Box office: Opening day disappointing—₹32–50 lakh in India (Wikipedia).
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📝 In‑Depth Plot Breakdown
Saba Shergill (Shanaya Kapoor), a method actress from Delhi, blindfolds herself for practice on a train to Mussoorie. She meets Jahaan (Vikrant Massey), a blind musician on a journey to compose. They form an emotional bond through conversations, laughter, and shared sensitivity. Jahaan deceives Saba about his blindness, fearing pity will overshadow their connection.
The film’s first half is poetic and intimate, thriving on sensory interaction rather than sight. However, the second half jumps ahead by a few years: Saba dates her benevolent director, Abhinav (Zain Khan Durrani), while Jahaan resurfaces as Kabir, the music composer for her play. The climax circles back to emotional authenticity but leans into melodramatic tropes, pulling away from the subtlety of the first half.
🎭 Performances & Technical Craft
Vikrant Massey
Delivers a grounded, soulful portrayal of a man navigating love and dignity. His nuanced use of body language and vocal modulation score high marks (Wikipedia, mint).
Shanaya Kapoor
A confident debut. Commands the screen, handles emotional layers well, and blends innocence with depth in her blindfolded sequences .
Zain Khan Durrani
Supports the main leads as the empathetic Abhinav, though his screen time is limited .
Visuals & Music
Tanveer Mir’s lens captures Himalayan and European beauty. Vishal Mishra’s music enhances the emotional subtext (“Nazara”, “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan”, and “Alvida”) .
🎯 Audience Reception & Box Office
- Opening Day India: Underwhelming—₹32–50 lakh, considered a flop by trade analysts .
- Critic consensus: Mixed—3/5 average. Praise for performances, visuals, and concept; criticism for narrative predictability.
- Social feedback: Mixed across platforms. Highlighted as a “feel-good, visually beautiful” film with “lighthearted humour” but lacking in excitement (Qatar Cinemas).
🎯 Final Verdict
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a charming, sensory-driven romance with strong performances and cinematography—a heartfelt one-time watch. Audiences seeking fresh love stories with emotional nuance will appreciate its sincerity. However, conventional storytelling and pacing issues may test its broader appeal.
📌 Ideal for: fans of Vikrant Massey, those who enjoy sensory-romantic narratives, viewers in India, USA, Canada, UK interested in meaningful Bollywood offerings.
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Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan,Vikrant Massey,Shanaya Kapoor,Santosh Singh,Ruskin Bond adaptation,Zee5,Bollywood,Romantic Drama,Mussoorie,Trailer,Review,OTT Release - Meta Description:
Explore the cast, trailer, OTT release details, and comprehensive review of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan—a sensory romantic drama starring Vikrant Massey and debutante Shanaya Kapoor. Streaming soon on Zee5 across India, USA, Canada & UK.
🔚 Conclusion
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan delivers atmospheric romance, captivating leads, and soulful melodies, despite structural flaws. Whether you’re in India, the USA, Canada, or the UK, this film offers a fresh take on love—felt not seen. Catch it in theatres now; stream it on Zee5 soon!