Vikrant Massey, riding high on the success of "12th Fail" and "Sabarmati Express," has encountered a setback with the underwhelming opening of "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan." Released on July 11, 2025, this romantic drama grossed only ₹32-35 lakh on its first day, falling short of expectations for a film with a ₹54 crore budget. The film’s disappointing performance, with Hindi occupancy rates ranging from 7.65% to 7.97%, marks a significant blow for Massey, who had been enjoying the spotlight after delivering back-to-back impactful performances.
"12th Fail" (2023) opened with ₹1.11 crore and became a critical and commercial success, praised for its inspiring narrative. Similarly, "Sabarmati Express" (2024), which depicted the 2002 Godhra train burning, had a decent theatrical run, receiving steady praise and respectable box office numbers due to its emotional depth and Massey’s compelling portrayal.
In contrast, "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan" has struggled to connect with audiences. Despite Massey’s heartfelt performance as a visually impaired musician, critics have pointed out issues such as a weak screenplay, uneven pacing, and a lackluster narrative as significant drawbacks. The performance of debutant Shanaya Kapoor, while promising, has been overshadowed by the film's shortcomings. Additionally, the movie faced tough competition from Rajkummar Rao’s "Maalik," which earned ₹3.48 crore, and Hollywood's "Superman," which dominated the box office.
This stumble in the romantic drama genre, a departure from Massey’s usual intense and realistic roles, highlights the risks of diversifying too far from his strengths. Negative word-of-mouth could further harm the film’s prospects. However, Massey’s proven track record suggests resilience. His upcoming project, "White," in which he portrays Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, may help him bounce back. For now, "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan" serves as a rare misstep in an otherwise stellar career.
No comments:
Post a Comment