After years of being just around the corner from a debut, Shanaya Kapoor is finally here. The trailer of her debut film Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan dropped this week, and all eyes are on her. Not just because she’s the newest Kapoor on the block, but because the trailer genuinely sparked intrigue and a few emotions along the way. Will Shanaya Kapoor’s performance in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan position her as the next promising star?

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Is the industry already loving Shanaya Kapoor?

No Bollywood trailer launch is complete without a few misty eyes, but this one hit differently. Sanjay Kapoor, Shanaya’s dad, took the mic and couldn’t hold back his feelings. “Main pichle 30 saal se kaam kar raha hoon, but itna nervous nahi raha. Aaj main bahot nervous hoon,” he admitted, blinking back tears. For a father who’s seen the highs and lows of the industry, this moment was personal.

Now, Vikrant Massey, Shanaya’s co-star in the film, isn’t one to hand out compliments easily, which is what made his praise for Shanaya stand out. At the launch, he said that working with her taught him things even two decades in the industry hadn’t. “Par jitna maine unse seekha hai in 4-5 mahino mein, utna shayad hi maine apne 21 saal ke lambe career mein seekha hoga!”

And this surprised the internet because of the usual cynicism around star kids. While Karan Johar wasn’t physically present at the launch, he posted on Instagram praising Shanaya for lighting up all the frames she was in. And why not? Karan Johar was producing her original debut film Bedhadak before it was shelved.

Speaking about her delayed debut, Shanaya said, “If it has had its ups and downs… I think it was all meant to happen for me to be here today.”

What’s the internet saying?

Shanaya Kapoor has indeed brought a fresh wave of talent to the screen, and I’m excited to see her shine in #AankhonKiGustaakhiyan.

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrkAgent) July 2, 2025

As usual, the internet is abuzz with reactions, and in a word, they are mixed but fascinating. Many were quick to point out her chemistry with Vikrant Massey in the trailer. “Shanaya Kapoor has indeed brought a fresh wave of talent to the screen,” one user wrote. Others even went as far as saying she might be the nepo kid worth rooting for, like Alia Bhatt.

Shanaya Kapoor looks like foreigner. She barely looks like Indian and unable to speak Hindi

— Sridhar (@VermontSridhar) July 2, 2025

But like always, some users dragged her comments about struggling, mocking the idea that a Kapoor could ever know real hardship. “Shanaya Kapoor looks like foreigner. She barely looks like Indian and unable to speak Hindi,” one snarky comment read. But love her or doubt her, Shanaya Kapoor has officially arrived. Based on Ruskin Bond’s short story, The Eyes Have It, Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor’s Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is set to release in theatres on July 11, 2025.

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