Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan : Beautiful to Look At, But Hard to Feel
Release Date : 11 Jul 2025
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a film that wants to make you pause, breathe in the hills of Mussoorie, and lose yourself in a slow-burn love story. It’s quiet, poetic, and full of longing glances. But while it sets up a beautiful canvas, the colours begin to fade halfway through.
Cast: Vikrant Massey, Shanaya Kapoor, Zain Khan Durrani
Director: Santosh Singh
Based on: The Eyes Have It by Ruskin Bond
Rating: ★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Jahaan (Vikrant Massey), a blind musician searching for inspiration, boards a train to the mountains. On the journey, he meets Saba (Shanaya Kapoor), a passionate theatre actor doing her own soul-searching. What begins as a casual conversation soon becomes something deeper — a connection that touches both their hearts.
Their meeting changes the way they see love, life, and themselves. But like most old-school romances, it comes with its own share of misunderstandings, missed chances, and silent heartbreaks.
Vikrant Massey once again proves why he’s one of Bollywood’s most dependable actors. As Jahaan, he brings honesty, grace, and depth to a character who can’t see the world but feels it more than most. His performance is layered and moving — even when the script isn’t doing him any favours.
For a debut, Shanaya Kapoor shows potential. While she stumbles in high-energy scenes, she shines in the quieter moments. Her performance isn’t perfect, but there’s something real in the way she holds back tears or looks out the window in silence. She has screen presence, and with better roles, she could grow fast.
Vishal Mishra’s music is soft and stirring. The background score flows gently, like a river beneath the story. Tanveer Mir’s cinematography makes Mussoorie look magical — misty hills, warm sunsets, and train rides full of nostalgia.
The first hour holds promise — the story moves slowly but has charm. Sadly, after the interval, the film starts losing direction. The emotional depth vanishes, and what could’ve been a tender exploration of love becomes predictable and stretched.
The connection between Jahaan and Saba starts off believable, but somewhere, the spark fades. A few forced comic scenes feel out of place in an otherwise gentle film. The dialogue also gets repetitive, pulling the story away from its emotional core.
Zain Khan Durrani adds colour as Abhinav, but like other side characters, his role feels underused. We wish the film gave more time to developing relationships, instead of relying on clichés.
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a film with its heart in the right place but not enough strength in its storytelling. It’s poetic but not powerful, charming but not unforgettable. Vikrant Massey carries the film on his shoulders, and Shanaya Kapoor shows she has potential.
This film is like reading a handwritten letter — soft and nostalgic, but a little too long and a little too familiar.
Worth a watch for the performances and visuals, but don’t expect a love story that stays with you for long.