Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Review: Vikrant Massey & Shanaya Kapoor’s Sincere Charm Makes You Overlook the Flaws

“Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan” attempts to spin a unique love story, moving from Mussoorie to a somewhat ambiguous European setting. The film follows Jahaan (Vikrant Massey), an aspiring blind musician, and Saba (Shanaya Kapoor), a method actress, whose lives intertwine after a fateful train journey. However, despite its intriguing premise adapted from Ruskin Bond’s “The Eyes Have It,” the script frequently sacrifices logic for predictable melodrama.

The film’s most glaring flaw is its self-imposed illogic. A prime example sees Saba, despite her “method acting” commitment to being blind, failing to remove her blindfold even during intimate moments, walks with Jahaan’s white stick, or crucial exchanges of life stories. This fundamental inconsistency undermines the narrative’s credibility from the outset.

The second half further stretches to absurd lengths, becoming convoluted and excessively long, akin to the most clichéd Hindi cinema love sagas. A sharper script, one that genuinely explored love beyond physical and superficial perceptions, could have added much-needed emotional depth. It’s difficult to believe Bond’s original tale lacked a more profound message. While the dialogues are generally well-written, with Jahaan’s comment on “specially-abled” being a notable exception, they can’t salvage the flawed core.

Star Performances

Despite the script’s shortcomings, the lead actors deliver commendable performances. Vikrant Massey, a naturally gifted actor, scores as Jahaan/Kabir, though his eyes don’t always convincingly convey visual impairment when he removes his dark glasses. Shanaya Kapoor makes a confident debut, sparkling in her bright moments, portraying passion when required, and delivering expressions and dialogues with precision. Both actors elevate the film beyond what the script deserved, lifting it from being merely ordinary to something more watchable.

Within the limitations of the writing, Santosh Singh capably directs and extracts strong work from cinematographer Tanveer Mir. The music, however, is a weakness; despite a well-written “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan,” the overall soundtrack falls flat. Joel Crasto’s background score is merely passable.

The Last Word

“Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan” positions itself as a love story with a difference, offering a twist on standard romances involving challenged individuals. If you enjoy typical, mushy romantic narratives where destiny and circumstances are the sole villains, you might find something to savor in this romantic recipe.