Shanaya Kapoor makes her much-anticipated debut in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. Is she Bollywood’s next big thing—or just media buzz? Find out in our in-depth review.
In a film world that feeds off heritage, glitz, and stories, Shanaya Kapoor’s Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan has become one of the most publicized new entrants in Bollywood a long time. Obviously, she has heritage—dad is actor Sanjay Kapoor. There also is buzz about her in the media prior to each of her moves; so is the question, is Shanaya Kapoor Bollywood’s real-next big thing or is it just an instance where hype trumps any substance?
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan – What’s all the Buzz about?
Directed by Rajeev Malhotra, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a romantic drama composed in a poetic backdrop of yearning, betrayal, and redemption. In the film we follow Zoya, played by Shanaya Kapoor, a small-town girl grappling with love, social norms, and identity. She stars opposite Vihaan (first time actor Armaan Malhotra), a reclusive artist in the elite art world of Bombay.
From the release of the first trailer to the music launch, the film has been brilliantly marketed as a launch pad not just for Shanaya, but for a new generation of youthful talent wanting to shake up Bollywood’s era of narrative-driven cinema.
Shanaya Kapoor: Shouldering a Surname
Shanaya is not just any debutante; she is the product of Bollywood royalty, with her father Sanjay Kapoor; and uncles Anil and Boney Kapoor all having grown up being household names in Bollywood. There was a lot of pressure, however Shanaya’s entry was developed methodically over the years with a conscious approach and presence in awards shows, red carpets and even an assistant directing position with the movie Gunjan Saxena.
Her Initiative: Sage or Simpleton?
Let’s address the elephant in the room — can she act?
In Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, Shanaya plays a part with emotional layers and intricacies. transportation of Zoya, a young woman torn between tradition and passion for the arts and love, she pulls off a surprisingly mature performance.
Strengths
Emotive Eyes: Shanaya’s biggest asset is her expressive eyes. She is able to show pain, vulnerability, and desire without overtly going too far — particularly in the climax scenes.
Screen Presence: It’s rare to see a new talent come in and own the screen like Shanaya does. She is naturally stylish with her stature and presence, and it becomes especially evident in her dancing skills. One number, “Tere Naam Ki Mehfil,” is actually a standout moment in the movie.
Areas of Improvement
Dialogue: There are times when her diction appears a little rehearsed. She lacks spontaneity, particularly in some of the emotionally charged confrontational scenes.
Depth of Characterization : Are the critics correct that although Shanaya looks the part, and is visually very appealing, she fails at times to convey the character’s conflicted inner thought process. Zoya’s internal dialogue is at times not wholly believable, and this results in some scenes being dull.
Box Office Buzz & Audience Reaction
The film enjoyed a tepid but rising start. according to Box Office India :
Day 1 Collection: ₹5.4 crores
Weekend: ₹18-20 crores.
Occupancy: Very strong in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune.
Twitter & Reddit Reactions :
Fans seem divided on social media :
“Shanaya is great in emotional scenes. She is the next big thing! ” – @CinephileRavi
“Nepotism factory strikes again, would’ve loved to see a newcomer from a theatre background get this opportunity.” – @BollywoodNoir
Strengths of the Film: Direction, Music & Visuals
Director Rajeev Malhotra deserves credit for creating a visually poetic film , The film is slow in places, giving the characters space to breathe and grow, and his nostalgic romanticism may not resonate with masala-action fans.
Cinematography:
The film was shot in Kashmir and Prague and it absolutely looks like a painting. The combination of natural light + handheld extreme close-ups creates an artistic element.
Music Album:
Amit Trivedi’s music album is great, with a very soul-stirring album (with standouts such as):
“Tere Naam Ki Mehfil”, a classic qawwali fusion
“Gustaakhiyan”, a moody ballad about forbidden love
“Phir Se Tum”, a contemporary dance track that feels like retro
Marketing Strategy: Hype or Organic Buzz?
Some state Shanaya’s public interest transcends to PR magnetism – the entirety of her Instagram aesthetic and red-carpet silhouettes seem to be built to build hype. But on the other hand, it may not be a major issue. In today’s digital world, talent itself needs packaging as well.
Key promotions that stuck:
Collaboration with Nykaa & Tira pre-release
Dance reels on “Tere Naam Ki Mehfil” are becoming viral reels on Instagram
Interviews with Vogue India, Filmfare, Pinkvilla etc
Is She the Real Thing or Only Conveniently Packaged?
Our opinion is that Shanaya Kapoor fits the bill – but she’s still leaving work undone.
What differentiates her from the rest of the debuts, is that she’s willing to fill an emotionally heavy role instead of one that is safe and plain. She is not yet a fully-fledged star, but Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a respectable entry into an already messy industry.
FAQs
1. What is Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan about?
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a romantic drama following the story of Zoya, the small-town girl and Vihaan, the elite artist, and their romantic path. The two, both fighting societal barriers (differences of class), the inner conflict of their bond transcending short-term notions of identity and desire, and separated out of social expectations and willpower to act courageously in matters of love.
2. Is Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Shanaya Kapoor’s first film?
Yes, this is Shanaya Kapoor’s official debut as the lead actress in a Bollywood film. She has previously worked as an assistant director and studied dance and acting, but Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is her first starring role.
3. How was the evaluation of Shanaya Kapoor’s performance?
The evaluation was mixed to positive. Critics praised her screen presence and expressive eyes, but mentioned that she needs to work on her dialogue delivery and emoting when conveying feeling.
4. Is Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan worth seeing?
If you enjoy poetic romantic drama, are a fan of visuals, and/or soulful music in regards to expressing a character and allowing character development to progress I would say yes, it is definitely worth watching. Especially if you are curious about Shahina Kapoor’s official debut.
5. Who directed Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan?
Rajeev Malhotra directed Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan and is known for his emotional story telling and visuals.
6. Is it on OTT?
Currently Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is released in theatres. There are reports that it will be available on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video after the theatrical release.