A story rooted in simplicity, emotion, and the unexpected connection between two souls – Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan premieres on September 5 on ZEE5 Global, the world’s largest South Asian platform, streaming across 190+ countries.
Directed by Santosh Singh, the film is based on Ruskin Bond’s much-loved short story The Eyes Have It, starring Vikrant Massey and debutant Shanaya Kapoor in the lead. Produced by Mansi and Varun Bagla under Mini Films, in association with Zee Studios and Open Window Films – this is a narrative about two people who meet as strangers and leave something behind in each other’s lives. The film features widely acclaimed music by Vishal Mishra, a score by Joel Crasto, and visuals by cinematographer Tanveer Mir.
What makes the film distinctive is the way music is built into its fabric. With songs by Vishal Mishra including Alvida, Nazara, Yuhi Safar, Kya Karun, and the title track sung by Jubin Nautiyal, and a score by Joel Crasto, the soundtrack carries the story’s emotions forward rather than decorating it. The music gives voice to what the characters often leave unsaid, letting the romance unfold with honesty and restraint.
Vikrant Massey plays Jahaan, a visually impaired musician who’s used to people making assumptions about him, his ability, his world, and his limitations. On a train journey, he meets Saba, a theatre actor who’s rehearsing a role and chooses to keep her eyes closed through the ride. What unfolds is a fleeting, heartfelt connection, full of hesitation, curiosity, and the comfort of not being judged. And in that moment, neither character is performing, they’re just being themselves.
Watch the trailer here.
There’s something refreshingly straightforward about how the film handles its emotions. It doesn’t try to create drama or push you to feel a certain way. Instead, it lets moments breathe and trusts the audience to sit with them. That restraint shows up in the performances too. Vikrant Massey is typically solid, giving Jahaan a depth that never feels heavy-handed. He plays Jahaan as a man who’s observant, aware, and quietly in control of his space. And Shanaya Kapoor, in her first role,wins hearts with a performance that doesn’t overreach. She keeps it real, and more importantly, human.
In interviews, Shanaya has spoken about how the story resonated with her, especially the idea of how often we form quick opinions based on appearances.That sense of reflection, of questioning how we see others, and how we want to be seen, runs through the film. Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan may be a love story, but it’s also a story about perspective, about how we look at others, and how we hope they look at us. It focuses on something smaller and more honest: the feeling of being understood by someone, even if just for a moment.
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan streams exclusively on ZEE5 Global starting September 5th.
