Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan has finally premiered in theaters, and actor Zain Durrani is fully embracing the experience of his first theatrical release in several years. He plays a significant role in the film, which features Shanaya Kapoor and Vikrant Massey. In an interview with News18 Showsha, Zain shares his mix of nervousness and excitement, discusses collaborating with newcomer Shanaya and Vikrant, and explains why being featured on a poster has never been a priority for him.

“You know, release days are just like that,” Zain confides, admitting he is still coming to terms with the sensation of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan being in cinemas. “I didn’t know how I’d feel until yesterday. This morning, I thought: let’s just see. It’s been a while since the last theatrical release – the last one was during Covid. Then I had Mukhbir, which was an OTT release. So this feels refreshing, a different kind of pressure. But it feels good. Everything coming in so far… I’m happy.”

The congratulatory calls and messages have begun to come in, although he recognizes that audiences often take time to respond genuinely. “Sort of, yes. Instagram messages, tags, people calling, but mostly messaging. And it feels good. There’s so much content out there now that people only text you if they’re really moved. So let’s see, fingers crossed,” he remarks.

When questioned about his expectations for the film’s box office performance, particularly since it is competing with Rajkummar Rao’s Maalik, Zain expresses skepticism about anyone’s ability to accurately predict numbers.

“Even the biggest players can’t really track or comment on the box office,” he reflects. “What I can say is whoever goes and watches will feel we’ve made this with a lot of love, and that translates. Clashes are inevitable, but I think these are very different genres, so I’m hoping audiences have the appetite for both. We need people to come back to theatres – that’s more important than anything. And I feel fairly confident our film has good reasons to pull people in.”

One of the most discussed elements of Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan is Shanaya Kapoor’s debut. Zain has high praise for his co-star, describing her as “pleasantly surprising.” “I believe she performed exceptionally well. I’ve been sharing with others how talented and committed she is. There’s no doubt about it – the industry is fierce, and only genuine talent endures. I believe she possesses that. I’ve also been extending my congratulations to her parents [Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor] because she has infused her upbringing into her craft. That’s as crucial as anything else,” he expresses warmly.

For Zain, it ultimately boils down to the fundamentals – scripts. “Scripts hold significant importance for me,” he states. “Upon reading this one, I recognized that my role was essential to the storyline. Regardless of when he enters the plot, the character alters the dynamics. Therefore, there was no reason to feel insecure.” He even makes comparisons to classics: “Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs appears on screen for roughly 20 minutes. Shah Rukh Khan in Deewana enters during the latter half and transforms everything. It’s about what you contribute to the role, not the duration of your presence.”

As the day progresses, Zain remains composed yet optimistic, grounded in what genuinely matters to him as an actor. “At the end of the day,” he remarks, adding, “What resonates with people is not a poster or a headline – it’s that scene, that performance. And that’s the legacy you leave behind.”

Zain Durrani has participated in films such as Akshay Kumar’s Bell Bottom and Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Shikara.