Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan

<p>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. The narrative examines themes of perception, human connection, and love beyond physical sight. Producer Mansi Bagla conceived the project as an adaptation of Ruskin Bond’s short story, with Vikrant Massey attached after his performance in (2023). The film’s 20 crore budget was financed through significant personal sacrifices by the producers, including selling jewelry and property. Shanaya Kapoor was cast after an extensive audition process where initial choices and faced scheduling conflicts. Kapoor underwent four months of workshops and trained with an acting coach to prepare for her role, including performing scenes blindfolded. Principal photography took place in (honoring Bond’s original Himalayan setting) and between late 2024 and early 2025. Cinematographer Tanveer Mir employed close-focus techniques to translate sensory experiences visually, while Kapoor performed key scenes blindfolded to authentically portray blindness. Vikrant Massey researched with visually impaired individuals to prepare for his role. The music was composed by with lyrics by Mishra and Kaushal Kishore. The first single “Nazara” released on 11 June 2025, followed by the title track “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan” performed by on 21 June. The final single “Alvida” released on 5 July. The soundtrack emphasizes tactile and auditory experiences to align with the film’s themes. The film was announced on 30 April 2025 with a motion poster confirming its 11 July release date. Its teaser (5 June) was praised for “visually poetic romance,” while the full trailer (1 July) highlighted the lead pair’s chemistry. The film premiered at a special industry screening attended by and other celebrities. It released alongside and on 11 July. The film earned only 32 lakh on its opening day, outperformed by its competitor , but which also put a poor performance with 3 crore. The film received mostly negative reviews. On the website , 20% of 10 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.4/10. Rishabh Suri of 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. Anurag Singh Bohra of rated it 2.5/5 and criticized the film’s clichéd storytelling, predictable plot, and lack of emotional depth. Shilajit Mitra of 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.</p>