🎬 Film Overview
- Title: Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan
- Genre: Romantic drama, emotional slice-of-life adaptation
- Release Date: 11 July 2025 Wikipedia+15Wikipedia+15The Times of India+15
- Runtime: Approximately 2 hrs 20 mins The Times of India
👥 Cast & Crew
- Director: Santosh Singh
- Writer: Mansi Bagla (story adapted from Ruskin Bond’s short story The Eyes Have It) Reddit+12Wikipedia+12HerZindagi+12
- Producers: Mansi Bagla, Varun Bagla, Vipin Agnihotri under Zee Studios and Mini Films Wikipedia+14Wikipedia+14HerZindagi+14
- Music: Songs by Vishal Mishra; score by Joel Joe Crasto
- Cinematography: Tanveer Mir; Editing by Unnikrishnan P.P. The Times of India+2Wikipedia+2FilmiBeat+2
Cast
- Vikrant Massey as Jahaan – a visually impaired musician
- Shanaya Kapoor (debut) as Saba Shergill – a theatre artist who blindfolds herself in method acting
- Zain Khan Durrani in a supporting role, portrayed as Saba’s boyfriend in later timelines Reddit+7Wikipedia+7The Times of India+7India Today+14India Today+14The Times of India+14HerZindagi+5Cinehoppers+5The Times of India+5
✅ Plot Synopsis
Adapted from Ruskin Bond’s The Eyes Have It, the film follows:
- Saba, who blindfolds herself to prepare for a role, meets Jahaan on a train to Mussoorie, believing he’s sighted.
- Jahaan, hiding his own impairment, connects deeply with her. As their bond grows, Saba eventually removes the blindfold—only to discover Jahaan’s secret.
- Years later, fate brings Jahaan back into Saba’s life when she’s dating someone else and working in theatre, adding emotional complexity and closure to unresolved feelings NDTV India+8ABP Live+8Reddit+8The Times of India.
📝 Reception & Reviews
Critical Ratings
- Timed at 3.0 / 5 by The Times of India – praised for cinematography and lead chemistry but criticized for predictability and occasional repetitive pacing The Times of India
- 3/5 from ABP Live – described as a gentle, restrained love story that is flawed yet quietly effective ABP Live
- 2.5/5 by India Today – acknowledged as a promising debut for Shanaya with a clichéd screenplay and forced humour India Today+1India Today+1
- 2/5 in a Pak-based review on Cinehoppers – criticized for lacking depth and emotional heft, labeled a “misfire” Cinehoppers
Audience & Social Sentiment
- Mixed reactions on social media – some viewers called it “boring” and criticized Shanaya and Vikrant’s performances, while others praised the chemistry and Vikrant’s acting for being heartfelt Reddit+1The Times of India+1.
- First look reviews from Times of India celebrated Shanaya’s debut as “impressive” and Vikrant’s performance as “heartfelt and real” MensXP+13India Today+13The Times of India+13
- Celeb reaction: Ananya Panday publicly lauded Shanaya’s debut, expressing regret at missing the premiere and congratulating her friend The Times of India
🎥 Visual & Musical Highlights
- Cinematography by Tanveer Mir captures scenic Mussoorie and European locales with soft romantic flair The Times of India+3FilmiBeat+3The Times of India+3
- Vishal Mishra’s music enhances the emotional layers of the narrative while keeping the tone light and heartfelt The Times of India+2FilmiBeat+2Wikipedia+2
🧾 Summary Table
| Aspect | Notes |
|---|---|
| Theme & Premise | Exploration of love, perception and emotional intimacy beyond sight |
| Strengths | Strong lead performances, beautiful visuals, gentle emotional core |
| Weaknesses | Formulaic screenplay, predictable plot twists, pacing inconsistencies |
| Ideal Audience | Viewers who enjoy feel‑good, quiet romances rooted in character chemistry |
📺 Streaming & Future Availability
- Expected OTT Platform: ZEE5 has acquired digital rights, with a probable release online by end of August 2025, approximately 4–8 weeks post theatrical run FilmiBeatABP Live+2India Today+2The Times of India+2HerZindagi
🎯 Final Thoughts
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan isn’t a gripping drama—but it offers a soft, heartfelt story carried by Vikrant Massey’s sincerity and Shanaya Kapoor’s promising debut. It excels when it stays grounded in quiet emotion and intimacy, though the writing could have been more daring. For those who appreciate introspective romances wrapped in scenic beauty, this film could be a soothing watch.
Would you like to see the trailer, check out its box office numbers, or explore more behind‑the‑scenes trivia?
Further reading