Shanaya Kapoor's Bollywood debut, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, is set to premiere on ZEE5 on September 5, 2025. This romantic drama, which also stars Vikrant Massey, had a theatrical release on July 11, 2025, but failed to make a mark at the box office. Now, it's getting a second chance on the OTT platform.

Directed by Santosh Singh and written by Mansi Bagla, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is inspired by Ruskin Bond's short story The Eyes Have It. The film tells the story of Saba (Shanaya Kapoor), a passionate theatre artist, and Jahaan (Vikrant Massey), a visually impaired musician. Their paths cross during a train journey to Mussoorie, where Saba is preparing for a method-acting experiment by blindfolding herself. The two form a connection through their conversations, without initially revealing their visual impairments.

The film explores themes of perception, connection, and love beyond physical sight, with the characters relying on voice, touch, and emotions to build their relationship. Mansi Bagla, who also produced the film with Varun Bagla and Vipin Agnihotri, envisioned it as a blend of vintage romance and Gen Z sensibilities.

Shanaya Kapoor's performance as Saba, a theatre artist, marks her official entry into Bollywood. Critics have offered mixed reviews on her debut, with some praising her vulnerability and confidence. Others noted that while she was relaxed and confident for the most part, her crying scenes were not up to par. Vikrant Massey's portrayal of Jahaan, a visually impaired musician seeking creative inspiration in the hills, has been generally well-received.

The film's music, composed by Vishal Mishra, has been described as soothing and a highlight of the movie. The soundtrack includes songs like "Nazara", "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan", and "Alvida", emphasizing tactile and auditory experiences to align with the film's themes.

Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan was filmed in Mussoorie and Mumbai, with principal photography wrapping up in early 2025. The film's teaser was praised for its "visually poetic romance", and the trailer highlighted the chemistry between the lead pair.

Despite the initial hype and anticipation surrounding Shanaya Kapoor's debut, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan didn't fare well in theaters. Some critics found the storyline clumsy and the script weak, lacking emotional depth. Others pointed out that the film strayed too far from its source material, Ruskin Bond's short story, and that the narrative felt stretched and unconvincing.

The OTT premiere on ZEE5 offers a fresh opportunity for audiences to connect with the film's nuanced storytelling and strong performances. It also reflects the growing trend of films finding their audience after their theatrical release, especially in the romance genre.

In addition to Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, Shanaya Kapoor has several other projects in the pipeline, including the multilingual film Vrushabha, opposite Mohanlal, and Tu Yaa Main, a psychological thriller co-starring Adarsh Gourav.