I’ve always had a soft spot for love stories that play with silence and subtlety. Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan tries to be exactly that — a film that explores love beyond sight, inspired by Ruskin Bond’s short story The Eyes Have It. When I walked into the theatre on its July release weekend, I expected a quiet, poetic romance. What I got was a film full of charm in moments, frustrating in others, but still worth talking about — especially since it’s now streaming on OTT.
Unsure about watching it, or hungry for the lowdown on Shanaya Kapoor’s much-talked debut? I share my full take with all the facts you will want to know, friends, dear readers.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
| Release Date | 11 July 2025 (Theatrical) |
| Runtime | 138 minutes |
| Genre | Romantic Drama |
| Language | Hindi |
| Director | Santosh Singh |
| Writer/Producer | Mansi Bagla |
| Music | Vishal Mishra |
| Score | Joel Joe Crasto |
| Cinematography | Tanveer Mir |
| Studio | Mini Films & Karan Johar-backed distribution |
| Based On | Ruskin Bond’s The Eyes Have It |
| OTT Platform | ZEE5 (5 September 2025 onwards) |
The Story (Spoiler-Light)
The film roots its pulse in a tight train coach. Vikrant Massey plays a blind singer and player who meets a young stage artist, Shanaya Kapoor, during a ride across the misty Himalayas. They talk, they connect, they fall in love, and they shape it with spoken lines and gentle hands, not eyes. Bond writes about how we see the world and asks what rings true, and what grows from wish and fear.
The film takes that thought and builds the story with calm talks, long silences, and a tight pull between two people who guard their real faces. Cinema needs more than a short tale, so the plot adds strands: the musician’s work fights, the artist’s tangled family past, and a band of side players. Some strands click, and some parts sag.
But when the film sticks to its train journey, to two people fumbling towards intimacy in the dark — that’s when it shines.
Cast & Crew
Vikrant Massey: As I hoped, Vikrant holds the story. He fits the role with ease and blends open hurt with calm strength. He keeps a hush in some scenes, and a small head tilt tells all.
Shanaya Kapoor: This is her big debut, and let’s be honest — the spotlight was firmly on her. She delivers better than many expected. There’s a rawness to her performance, sometimes uneven, but often sincere. When she listens rather than speaks, she feels natural.
Zain Khan Durrani: Plays a rival figure, adding friction to the romance.
Javed Khan King: A mentor-like role, providing wisdom at key moments.
Behind the scenes, Santosh Singh directs with an eye for visual poetry, though he sometimes slips into melodrama. Mansi Bagla’s writing tries to stretch a short story into a two-hour film, and while the effort is ambitious, not every subplot holds weight.
The Music
Romances live and die on their music, and here Vishal Mishra delivers a soundtrack that stays with you.
“Nazara”: A breezy opener, almost like a love letter to train journeys.
Title Track: A soulful ballad, with Mishra’s signature touch of aching nostalgia.
“Alvida”: The breakup song — it’s not subtle, but it does hit hard with its swelling chorus.
Joel Joe Crasto’s background score weaves through the silences, trying to give weight to pauses. Sometimes it works beautifully, other times it feels like it’s over-explaining emotions.
Filming & Locations
The camera absolutely loves Mussoorie. Tanveer Mir frames rolling hills, mist-wet mornings, and thin train tracks with an artist’s eye. On the big screen, I kept thinking, this could pass for a tourism ad, and I would not complain. The crew shot some indoor scenes in Mumbai, but the Himalayan views make the film unforgettable for me. Honestly, half my notes just say “I want to book a train ticket now.”
Box Office & OTT
Theatrically, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan struggled. Released in July 2025 against bigger commercial titles, it couldn’t pull in strong numbers despite all the debut buzz. Word of mouth was mixed, and critics didn’t exactly rave.
But here is the silver lining: ZEE5 will host its OTT debut in September 2025, and that gives the film a second life. Romantic dramas draw bigger love in living rooms than theatres, and this one fits home on streaming at home screens, where viewers sink into quiet beats without popcorn-crunching neighbors next-door.
Critical Reception
Here’s the honest picture: reviews were all over the place.
Hindustan Times: Gave it 2 stars, calling it beautiful in parts but let down by a weak script.
India Today: Settled at 2.5 stars, praising Shanaya’s effort but criticizing the flat climax.
Times of India: More generous at 3 stars, saying it was “a heartfelt attempt that misses emotional depth but works as a gentle debut vehicle.”
Rotten Tomatoes: Collects global reviews, showing a critical split — some charmed by its sincerity, others frustrated by its clichés.
Audience chatter has been kinder. BookMyShow users rated it around 7.5/10, with comments like “worth a lazy Sunday” and “music makes it watchable.”
Strengths & Weaknesses
What works:
Vikrant Massey’s grounded performance.
Shanaya Kapoor’s surprisingly natural debut.
The train sequences — atmospheric, romantic, intimate.
Vishal Mishra’s soundtrack.
Cinematography that makes Mussoorie look like a dream.
What doesn’t quite land:
A stretched runtime — some scenes drag.
Supporting subplots that feel half-baked.
The climax, which many found predictable.
Dialogue that occasionally lapses into cliché.
Where to Watch
You can stream Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan on ZEE5 with subtitles in rich HD at home. If you missed the big screen, choose snug path and experience the film with ease.
FAQs
What theme drives Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan?
It shares a Hindi love tale where a blind musician and a stage artist meet on a long train ride and fall in love.
Who stars in the film?
Vikrant Massey leads alongside debutante Shanaya Kapoor.
When did it release?
Theatrical release was on 11 July 2025.
Is it based on a book?
Yes, it’s adapted from Ruskin Bond’s short story The Eyes Have It.
Where can I watch this film?
You can stream it on ZEE5.
How did people receive it?
Critics gave 2 to 3 stars, but OTT viewers showed extra love.
Closing Notes
When I picture Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, I push past clumsy subplots and that predictable finish. Breathe. I remember Vikrant and Shanaya sitting in a train carriage, talking about dreams. I remember the sound of rain outside, the way the camera lingered on hands almost touching, the strains of “Nazara” playing softly in the background.
It’s not a flawless film — far from it. But it’s an attempt to bring a slice of Ruskin Bond’s tenderness to the screen, to remind us that sometimes love is less about what we see and more about what we feel. And for that reason alone, I think it deserves a watch. Maybe not as a Friday-night blockbuster pick, but as a Sunday-afternoon film you stumble upon and end up staying with.
Bio of Author: Gayatri Tiwari is an experienced digital strategist and entertainment writer, bringing 20+ years of content expertise to one of India’s largest OTT platforms. She blends industry insight with a passion for cinema to deliver engaging, trustworthy perspectives on movies, TV shows and web series.
