Vikrant Massey and debutante Shanaya Kapoor’s film, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, hit the theatres today, July 11, 2025, and early reviews are already in. Directed by Santosh Singh and based on Ruskin Bond’s classic short story, The Eyes Have It, the film promises a different experience from usual love stories. But now, the burning question lingers: could Shanya’s big Bollywood debut come through? Well, critics and netizens so far have remained largely divided on the matter. Here’s what they have to say.
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan: A love story with layers
The plot of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is not your usual love story – it has layers. Set against the backdrop of performing arts, the story follows the journey of a passionate theatre artist (Shanaya Kapoor) and a blind musician (Vikrant Massey), whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Early reviews are describing the film as a delicate blend of humour, emotion and poetic realism.
Renowned critic and actor Kuldeep Ghadvi was one of the first to review Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, and he was largely impressed by its layered arcs. He called the film a ‘complete value-for-money experience’ with its emotional moments blended with humour. A part of his review can be read as:
“The film blends humour with deeply moving emotional moments. It’s a heartwarming story that gently unfolds and grows on you. From its dialogues to its emotional arcs, this 2-hour 20-minute film truly justifies every second of your time — it’s a complete value-for-money cinematic experience.”
Shanaya Kapoor’s big screen debut: A hit or miss?
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is the first-ever cinematic venture for Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor. While the trailer indicated the film was off to a promising start, early reviews are largely divided. Kuldeep Ghadvi left a positive reaction to Shanaya’s acting prowess, even calling it ‘one of the best debut performances in recent years’, and paired with Massey’s powerful acting, the chemistry just works. Ghadvi wrote on Instagram:
“This is Shanaya Kapoor’s debut, and what a debut it is! dialogue delivery, expressions, and overall screen presence are absolutely impressive — easily one of the best debut performances in recent years… Vikrant Massey once again proves he’s a powerhouse of talent. His portrayal is so natural, heartfelt, and real — he lives the character. Together, their chemistry brings the story alive.”
However, not everyone seems to have agreed with Ghadvi’s positive review. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), some early viewers have already shared their experiences with Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, and they are more on the negative side. One online critic, allegedly a Censor Board member overseas, called ‘Nepo Kid’ Shanaya’s performance her worst. Giving it a 1-star rating out of 5, the user tweeted:
“First Review #AankhonKiGustaakhiyan from Censor Board! Welcome to movies, Nepo Kid #ShanayaKapoor. Worst performance by her. A Boring Romantic flick all the way. Why producers waste money on stupid scripts. Skip it! #VikrantMassey, u look horrible. 1/5”
Regarding the direction, Santosh Singh has been lauded for bringing a quiet elegance on screen, with some early reviews stating his direction captures the essence of Ruskin Bond’s timeless love story.
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan will clash with Rajkummar Rao’s Maalik
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan will face stiff competition at the box office, released on the same day as the much-hyped Rajkummar Rao and Manushi Chillar starrer, Maalik. On the other hand, James Gunn’s latest DC movie, Superman, is also slated for its Indian release on July 11, 2025. Industry analysts predict a lukewarm opening with box office estimates hovering around Rs. 50 to 80 lakh on Day 1, but the romantic drama may struggle to draw crowds.
What are your thoughts on Shanaya Kapoor and Vikrant Massey’s romantic drama? Let us know!
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