Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan director on Vikrant Massey's return to love stories: 'Only I see him as a romantic hero'
Vikrant Massey reunites with Santosh Singh for Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, a romantic drama co-starring debutante Shannaya Kapoor, marking his return to love stories after intense roles.
Vikrant Massey and Santosh Singh on the sets of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan
Last Updated: 09.58 AM, May 09, 2025
Santosh Singh's Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a welcome return to Vikrant Massey's romantic roots after a string of dramatic and violent parts. The film is scheduled for release on July 11, 2025. In this film, Massey and Singh are back together after their 2018 hit web series Broken... But Beautiful brought them together.
Vikrant Massey's evolving career
Since then, the actor has gone through a lot while starring in critically praised films like 12th Fail (2023) and his next dark thriller, Sector 36 (2024). One thing the actor hasn't altered, according to Singh, is his natural talent for lending love roles an air of vulnerability and compassion.
In an interview with Mid Day, the filmmaker stated that Broken... But Beautiful was his first collaboration and that he is returning with another love story. Massey once confided in him that, contrary to popular belief, the majority of directors cast him in dramatic films like 12th Fail or negative parts like Sector 36. However, Singh is the only one who treats him like a romantic hero.
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan storyline
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a film about a young theatre actor (Shannaya Kapoor), who makes her highly anticipated Bollywood debut, and a passionate musician (Massey) whom Singh trusts because of his romantic charm.
Casting the female lead presented its own set of challenges. Date conflicts stopped Tara Sutaria and Laapataa Ladies breakout star Pratibha Ranta from joining the cast. Kapoor had to go through a series of tests before she was cast.
Shanaya Kapoor's preparation for the role
Finding the heroine was its adventure in the film. Singh recalled that ahead of scheduling conflicts, they had Sutaria and Ranta considered for the part. The filmmaker reminisces about the tests that Kapoor took and how well she did. She worked with an acting coach in addition to the four months of workshops they did with her. She was already well-versed in the screenplay before filming began.
With its tender plot, profound emotions, and new pairing, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan seems to revive the heartbreaking romance that Massey initially brought in Broken… But Beautiful—but with a different leading lady and an expanded emotional palette influenced by the actor’s maturation as a performer.