"I've done it too, I am not proud of it" - Shanaya Kapoor calls herself out in a brutally honest confession

As the monsoon showers romance across the country, debutante Shanaya Kapoor and versatile actor Vikrant Massey are all set to sweep audiences off their feet with Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, a soulful musical drama based on Ruskin Bond's poignant short story The Eyes Have It. In a heartfelt conversation with India Forums, the duo opened up about the film's deeper themes, the power of seeing beyond sight, and their own reflections on love, judgement, and vulnerability.

Q: The film seems to carry a powerful message about 'seeing beyond sight.' Do you think, in real life too, people often miss out on meaningful connections because they focus too much on appearances?

Shanaya Kapoor: Absolutely. In fact, we were just talking about this earlier. When I first read the script, that was the first thing that struck me, it made me reflect a lot on myself. Coming from a generation that's grown up surrounded by social media, there's so much visual noise. We're constantly bombarded with opinions, appearances, and judgments online. And before even getting to know someone, we form preconceived notions. I've done it too, and I'm not proud of that. It's something I want to actively work on. Because, like Vikrant said, when we judge people based on appearance, we're often stopping meaningful relationships from even forming.

She adds: When I read the script, beyond being a beautiful and unique love story, it truly had something deeper to offer. Not every film does that. Some you just watch and enjoy and that's great but this one made me think about love, about what it means to really see someone. Love that's unconditional, that looks beyond the physical it's rare and pure.

Vikrant Massey: She said it so beautifully. And you're right the answer really lies in your question. The film speaks to something much deeper: celebrating life beyond what we can physically see. There's a dialogue in the film I love "Zindagi jeene ke liye dekhna zaroori nahi hai, mehsoos karna zaroori hai." (To live life, you don't need to see it you need to feel it.) That's exactly what our characters are trying to do. In the film, she's visually challenged, and I play someone who's blind.

Watch the full interview here...

He continues: As an actor, I thought this would be an interesting challenge. But the day I attended the workshop and wore lenses that took away 80–85% of my vision, I was scared. Suddenly, it hit me how much we take for granted. The ability to see, to move freely, to experience the world, it's so valuable, and we often forget that. This role made me cherish that sense so much more. It made me start seeing life differently, appreciating it more deeply.

On the theme of judgment and validation, Vikrant adds: What Shanaya said about social media is sadly so true. We seek validation, but at the same time, we create barriers within ourselves. We stop potential relationships and genuine connections because we assume this person will be like that, or they don't seem like my kind. But that's not how it should be. We need to look deeper, feel more, and judge less.

Directed by Santosh Singh and produced by Mansi Bagla and Varun Bagla under Zee Studios, Mini Films, and Open Window Films, the film marks a significant milestone for Shanaya, daughter of Sanjay and Maheep Kapoor, who steps into the world of cinema with a role that's both challenging and deeply moving. She plays Saba, a visually impaired theatre artist, opposite Vikrant, who essays the role of a blind musician. With music composed by Vishal Mishra, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan promises a stirring blend of emotion and melody.

Through Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, they invite audiences to not just watch a love story, but feel it. Releasing in theatres on July 11, this lyrical tale of invisible bonds and visible heartbreak is the kind of monsoon cinema that lingers long after the credits roll.