Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan

Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySantosh Singh
Written byMansi Bagla[1]
Based onThe Eyes Have It by Ruskin Bond
Produced byMansi Bagla
Varun Bagla
Vipin Agnihotri
StarringVikrant Massey
Shanaya Kapoor
CinematographyTanveer Mir
Edited byUnnikrishnan P.P.
Music bySongs:
Vishal Mishra
Score:
Joel Joe Crasto
Production
companies
Zee Studios
Mini Films
Open Window Films
Distributed byZee Studios
Release date
  • 11 July 2025 (2025-07-11)
Running time
138 minutes[2]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Box officeest. ₹2.55 crore[3]

Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan (lit. transl. Eyes' Impudence) is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film written by Mansi Bagla[4][5] and directed by Santosh Singh. It is produced by Mansi Bagla, Varun Bagla and Vipin Agnihotri under Zee Studios and Mini Films. Adapted from Ruskin Bond's short story The Eyes Have It, the film stars Vikrant Massey as a visually impaired musician and marks the acting debut of Shanaya Kapoor as a theater artist. Principal photography concluded in early 2025 after filming in Mussoorie and Mumbai, and was released on 11 July 2025 in the theatres.[6][7]The film became a box-office bomb.

Plot

A visually impaired musician (Vikrant Massey) and a theater artist (Shanaya Kapoor) meet during a train journey through the Himalayas. As they converse without revealing their visual impairments, they form an emotional bond through voice and touch. The story explores their evolving relationship and personal transformations as they navigate societal perceptions, with their connection deepening despite physical limitations.[8][9] The narrative examines themes of perception, human connection, and love beyond physical sight.

Cast

Production

Development

Producer Mansi Bagla conceived the project as an adaptation of Ruskin Bond's short story, with Vikrant Massey attached after his performance in 12th Fail (2023).[12] The film's ₹20 crore budget was financed through significant personal sacrifices by the producers, including selling jewelry and property.[13][14]

Shanaya Kapoor was cast after an extensive audition process where initial choices Tara Sutaria and Pratibha Ranta faced scheduling conflicts.[15] Kapoor underwent four months of workshops and trained with an acting coach to prepare for her role, including performing scenes blindfolded.[16]

Filming

Principal photography took place in Mussoorie (honoring Bond's original Himalayan setting) and Mumbai between late 2024 and early 2025.[17] Cinematographer Tanveer Mir employed close-focus techniques to translate sensory experiences visually, while Kapoor performed key scenes blindfolded to authentically portray blindness.[16][18] Vikrant Massey researched with visually impaired individuals to prepare for his role.[19]

Soundtrack

Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan
Soundtrack album by
Vishal Mishra
Released17 July 2025
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length21:44
LanguageHindi
LabelZee Music Company
External audio
audio icon Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan - Full Album on YouTube

The music was composed by Vishal Mishra with lyrics by Mishra and Kaushal Kishore. The first single "Nazara" released on 11 June 2025,[20] followed by the title track "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan" performed by Jubin Nautiyal on 21 June.[21] The final single "Alvida" released on 5 July.[22] The soundtrack emphasizes tactile and auditory experiences to align with the film's themes.[23]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Alvida"Vishal MishraVishal Mishra4:18
2."Nazara"Vishal MishraVishal Mishra4:11
3."Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan" (Title Track)Vishal Mishra, Kaushal KishoreJubin Nautiyal3:54
4."Yuhi Safar"Vishal MishraJubin Nautiyal3:42
5."Kya Karun"Vishal MishraVishal Mishra3:38
6."Alvida" (Asees Version)Vishal MishraAsees Kaur2:01
Total length:21:44

Release

The film was announced on 30 April 2025 with a motion poster confirming its 11 July release date.[24] Its teaser (5 June) was praised for "visually poetic romance," while the full trailer (1 July) highlighted the lead pair's chemistry.[25] The film premiered at a special industry screening attended by Sanjay Kapoor and other celebrities.[26] It released alongside Maalik and Superman on 11 July.

Reception

Box office

The film earned only 32 lakh on its opening day, outperformed by its competitor Maalik, but which also put a poor performance with 3 crore.[27]

Critical response

The film received mostly negative reviews. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 20% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.4/10.[28]

Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times rated it 2/5 and called it a half-baked love story that fails to sustain its promising premise, and while praising it for its pleasant music and scenic locations, he criticized the movie for its lack of depth, emotional resonance, and dramatic tension, with Vikrant Massey's portrayal of a visually-challenged singer being described as decent but underwhelming.[29] Anurag Singh Bohra of India Today rated it 2.5/5 and criticized the film's clichéd storytelling, predictable plot, and lack of emotional depth.[30] Shilajit Mitra of The Hindu criticized its over-reliance on sight-related metaphors, melodramatic second half, and stretched narrative while he also noted that the film's modest charm was weighed down by clichéd writing, heavy-handed symbolism, and lack of emotional subtlety, making it fall short of its potential.[31]

References

  1. ^ "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan teaser: Shanaya Kapoor, Vikrant Massey promise a tender romance". The Indian Express. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  4. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (13 June 2025). "EXCLUSIVE: Producer and writer Mansi Bagla on conceiving the story of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan: "I've tried to merge vintage romance with the spirit and complexities of Gen Z relationships"". Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Exclusive: Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Writer Mansi Bagla Reveals How Karan Johar & YRF Inspired Her | Filmfare.com". www.filmfare.com. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor's 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan' to hit cinemas July 11". UNI. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Vikrant Massey to play blind musician in Ruskin Bond adaptation". Bollywood Hungama. 28 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  8. ^ "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan: विक्रांत मैसी के साथ शनाया कपूर की फिल्म का टीजर हुआ रिलीज" (in Hindi). NDTV India. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan: Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor starrer will be released in theaters on 11 July 2025". First Bihar. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Shanaya Kapoor's debut confirmed opposite Vikrant Massey". Hindustan Times. 30 April 2025. Archived from the original on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  11. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (2 July 2025). "Zain Durrani recalls sending "audition via YouTube" to get Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan role: "I didn't hear back immediately" : Bollywood News". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Teaser: Shanaya Kapoor's Bollywood debut is a visually poetic romance with Vikrant Massey". ETV Bharat. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  13. ^ "For Shanaya Kapoor's debut film, the producer sacrificed his house and jewelry" (in Hindi). Patrika. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Producer Mansi Bagla sold home and jewellery for Shanaya Kapoor's debut film". Aaj Tak (in Hindi). 5 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Did You Know Shanaya Kapoor Wasn't The First Choice For Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan?". News18. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Actress Shanaya Kapoor Said: 'It Was Not Easy To Perform Blindfolded'". Mayapuri. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan will be released in theaters on 11 July 2025". Jagruk Times. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  18. ^ "विक्रांत मैसी-शनाया कपूर की 'आंखों की गुस्ताखियां' की प्रोड्यूसर मानसी बागला ने खोले कई राज" (in Hindi). Dainik Bhaskar. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Why Vikrant Massey works in less projects". ABP News. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Nazara Song: विक्रांत मैसी और शनाया कपूर की इनोसेंट लव केमिस्ट्री देख फैंस हुए दीवाने". Aaj Tak (in Hindi). 11 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Title Track Released" (in Hindi). Punjab Kesari. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Title Track Out: विक्रांत मैसी-शनाया कपूर के डांस वीडियो ने मचाई धूम" (in Hindi). Times Now Hindi. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  23. ^ "Bollywood Movie Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Title Track Released" (in Hindi). Aaj Tak. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  24. ^ "Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor's film gets release date". Cinema Express. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Trailer Out: विक्रांत मैसी और शनाया कपूर के बीच लव एंगल देखिए" (in Hindi). Amar Ujala. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  26. ^ "Sanjay Kapoor at Trailer Launch Event" (in Hindi). Navodaya Times. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  27. ^ Sharma, Riya (11 July 2025). "Maalik box office collection day 1: Rajkummar Rao film fails to beat Bhool Chuk Maaf's opening day haul, earns ₹3 crore". Hindustan Times. HT Media. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  28. ^ "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  29. ^ Suri, Rishabh (11 July 2025). "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan review: Shanaya Kapoor's debut with Vikrant Massey is love story that can't see beyond its flaws". Hindustan Times. HT Media. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  30. ^ Bohra, Anurag Singh (11 July 2025). "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan review: Shanaya makes promising debut in predictable plot". India Today. Living Media. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  31. ^ Mitra, Shilajit (11 July 2025). "'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan' movie review: The eyes don't have it". The Hindu. Kasturi & Sons. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
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