Shanaya Kapoor’s debut film, “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan,” has encountered challenges at the box office since its release on Friday. Co-starring Vikrant Massey, the romantic drama managed to earn ₹1.2 crore over its opening weekend, which raises questions about its overall appeal to audiences.
The film’s performance during its initial days indicates a sluggish start. According to Sacnilk, “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan” grossed ₹0.30 crore on its first day, followed by a slight increase to ₹0.49 crore on Saturday. The total earnings of ₹1.2 crore reflect a modest trend, with approximately ₹0.41 crore added on Sunday, marking the end of the opening weekend.
Occupancy levels for the film have not been particularly strong, though Sunday did show some improvement, with an overall occupancy rate of 17.11%, compared to 15.25% on Saturday. Breaking down the occupancy reveals that morning shows only managed 7.40%, while afternoon shows saw growth at 20.09%. Evening screenings rallied slightly with 23.14% occupancy, but night shows reportedly had 0%, likely due to limited or canceled screenings.
Critics have expressed mixed views about “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan.” A review from HT noted how the film struggles to maintain engagement due to its drawn-out narrative. The adaptation of Ruskin Bond’s short story, “The Eyes Have It,” attempts to capture a romance between a visually impaired musician and a theatre artist. However, the review highlighted issues such as implausible plot points and a lack of depth, emphasizing that the film does offer scenic backdrops and pleasant music, but little more.
Directed by Santosh Singh and produced by Mansi Bagla and Varun Bagla, the film’s narrative seeks to blend romance with the unique challenges faced by its characters. As it continues to screen in theatres, the film’s performance will be keenly observed to gauge its staying power in a competitive market.