Presented by Zee Studios and Mini Films, and produced by Mansi Bagla, Varun Bagla, and Open Window Films, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is directed by Santosh Singh and written and created by Mansi Bagla, with music composed by Vishal Mishra. Starring Vikrant Massey, Shanaya Kapoor, and Zain Khan Durrani, this romantic musical makes for a perfect monsoon watch in cinemas now.
The film does a wonderful job of bringing the heartfelt story of Ruskin Bond’s ‘The Eyes Have It’ to life, bringing a fresh, entertaining, and pure tale to the big screens.
We’ve got a fresh take for anyone who’s seen—or plans to see—the film, but before we get into that, one thing we can say for sure is that anyone who watches this film will leave with more appreciation for love and life, and for the two actors who brilliantly portray their beautiful roles.
The Film Is Not A Typical Love Story
Let’s be honest for a second; it’s no secret that most modern films chase commercial success, stick to unnecessary amounts of action, and rely on shock value, and even when it comes to romance flicks, they stick to repetitive and safe themes.
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is unlike any of these and has arrived as a bold and beautiful exception that brings a fresh lens to the world of modern cinema and romance films.
The film explores two strangers who meet on a train journey through the Himalayas and slowly begin to develop a deep and complex romance, which blooms and wavers throughout the rest of the film. Their journey, of course, has its ups and downs, which are depicted very well.
Vikrant Massey Delivers A Strong Performance Again
An impressive performance is pretty much guaranteed when Vikrant Massey is a part of the project, no matter what it’s about. He’s proven time and again that he’s one of the industry’s best and most versatile performers, and this newest role is no exception.
In Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, Vikrant plays the role of Jahaan, who’s a visually impaired musician, which is not an easy role to play at all. He had to spend time learning all the sensibilities and perception abilities of visually impaired people.
To deliver an honest and authentic performance, Vikrant wore special lenses, which helped simulate visual impairment and allowed him to fully embody Jahaan’s perspective.
There’s a beautiful dialogue in the film where Jahaan mentions that while the world captures memories through photographs, he captures memories through music. Not only did this give us a fresh perspective on how different people find beauty in life in different ways, but it also made the moment so much more romantic.
And this isn’t the only case where you’ll be moved or impressed by a dialogue, as the film is full of beautifully written dialogues and heartfelt conversations.
Shanaya Kapoor Takes On A Difficult Challenge—But Also Delivers A Bold Statement
The debutante Shanaya Kapoor makes her debut by starring opposite Massey as a theater artist named Saba, who puts on a blindfold and gives up her sense of sight to experience the world in the same way that Jahaan does.
While Vikrant Massey’s role is difficult as is, Shanaya Kapoor takes on an even bigger challenge of acting while blindfolded, while keeping in mind that her character isn’t actually blind.
In recent interviews, she shared how it was incredibly challenging, but to deliver the best performance she can, she worked hard and trained extensively.
As far as debut performances go, we must say that while there’s room for improvement and growth, Shanaya Kapoor was a natural and did an exceptional job in a challenging role. We’re sure that her acting and charm will only get better as she takes on more roles.
The chemistry between the two was palpable.
Shanaya Kapoor and Vikrant Massey had chemistry right from the first frame the two were in, and it was the kind that comes off as effortless.
Of course, this is partially due to the dedication and time that the two put in while preparing for the role, which even included watching a German film on a similar topic.
And it is because of these efforts that the two are able to do absolute justice to the film’s strong story, with their performances leaving us with plenty of food for thought, especially about how there’s so much more to love than meets the eye.
Our Verdict? Every Aspect Of The Film Is Brilliantly Executed
Whether it’s the cinematography, the dialogues, the acting, the music, or the choreographies—everything is executed to near-perfection and blends together to fulfil the heart and soul of the film—from start to finish.
The sets and locations are exceptional too, with the story taking audiences throughout the Himalayas but also through international locations.
The two characters who are the very core of the film—a musician and a theater actor—go hand-in-hand in a way that’s flawless. The musical and dance performances throughout the film are guaranteed to put you in awe, with beautiful lyrics, stunning costumes, and lovely choreography.
The story in itself is full of heart and soul, making this a must-watch experience that left us wanting more of such stories in Indian cinema.
With all these factors in mind, ‘Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan’ gets a solid 3.5-star rating from us.