Shanaya Kapoor’s much anticipated debut, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, arrived in theatres on July 11 with expectations riding high. Billed as a classic romantic drama, the film was meant to launch the young star into the limelight. But the Day 1 numbers paint a disappointing picture. According to data from Sacnilk.com, the film managed to collect only Rs 35 lakh across India, registering an overall occupancy of just 9.92 percent. For a debut vehicle supported by an experienced co lead like Vikrant Massey, this performance is far from ideal.
The reception is especially lackluster when compared to Massey’s own recent film, The Sabarmati Report, which opened at Rs 1.25 crore and went on to perform well with strong word of mouth. In contrast, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan struggled even to draw audiences into theatres. With metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi showing minimal turnout, and smaller cities not contributing significantly either, the film's visibility is already at risk.
Directed by Santosh Singh and produced by Mansi and Varun Bagla, the film revolves around themes of love, emotional growth, and the fragility of relationships. The story was co written by lyricist and screenwriter Niranjan Iyengar alongside Mansi Bagla, while the soundtrack was composed by Vishal Mishra. Presented by Zee Studios and Mini Films, the film had the production values and marketing push one expects from a major debut. But it appears those factors alone are no longer enough.
What makes this underperformance more notable is Shanaya Kapoor’s public profile. As the daughter of actor Sanjay Kapoor and part of the extended Kapoor film family, she has long been seen as one of Bollywood’s next gen stars. Her social media presence, magazine covers, and brand endorsements built anticipation for her debut. Yet, the opening day response suggests audiences are expecting more than just glamour and lineage. They want a story that connects, characters that stay, and performances that move them. And Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan seems to be falling short on those fronts.
The film does have the weekend to pick up pace, and romantic dramas have historically found success through strong word of mouth. But with heavy competition in the form of Maalik, Superman, and F1, and a crowded content slate across streaming platforms, it may be difficult for this soft opener to turn things around.
For Shanaya Kapoor, this might be a valuable first step filled with lessons rather than laurels. The film industry is no stranger to second chances, but the pressure is definitely on. If Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan does not find its audience soon, it may quietly exit theatres without making the impact it aimed for.
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