'Shanaya Kapoor needs to...': Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan actor Zain Durrani reacts to trolling and hate against actress
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan , a romantic drama directed by Santosh Singh and bankrolled by Mansi Bangla and Varun Bagla hit the silver-screens on July 11, 2025. Apart from the lead cast Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor, one name who garnered attention with his stellar performance is Zain Khan Durrani. He portrayed a key role in Massey-Kapoor starrer, stepping into the world of romcoms once again. In an exclusive interview with india.com , Zain shared whether he ever felt paranoid about being overshadowed by the lead pair. Moreover, he also addressed the online trolling his co-star Shanaya Kapoor faced before stepping into Bollywood, and how the backlash affects an actors' mindset. Was Zain Durrani worried about being overshadowed by Vikrant and Shanaya?
Sharing his experience of working with Shanaya Kapoor and Vikrant Massey in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, Zain said, 'It was great, both of them are very warm and easy to work with. It's been truly a pleasant experience.' When asked if he ever felt intimidated about being overshadowed by the lead duo, he confidently expressed, 'Not at all, nobody can overshadow your performance unless you aren't performing well. Time and again, we have seen the smallest roles are been done so well and can live in people's memories, while some longest ones just vanish. It's just about whether you can connect with the audience in whatever screen-time you get, and I was genuinely happy playing the second lead in a good story.'
He further added, 'You can't approach a role or a project that you do with any of those ideas in your head. Otherwise you are just coming with a baggage that will not allow you to express yourself. And, honestly there is no reason for me to feel that either. The role I was given had enough potential to prove myself.' Zain Durrani defends Shanaya Kapoor against trolls
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan marks Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor's, debut film. Even before stepping into the spotlight, the aspiring actress had already experienced the pressures of public scrutiny following her first commercial and later with her debut music video alongside Guru Randhawa.
Zain addressed how early criticism directed towards star kids can be biased. 'From an outsider's perspective, I can say that a lot of criticism is unfairly drawn.' Zain added, 'And not just as actors- as human beings too, we need to be kinder to each other. We are very quick to judge, we are very quick to draw to the conclusions, sitting behind our screens, typing things we'd never say to anyone in person.'
Zain hopes no one around him undergoes such negativity, 'As actors, we are even more sensitive. Over time, we do develop a thick skin, we grow and learn. I just don't wish this kind of negativity on any friend or colleague of mine,' The actor said.
He believes that Shanaya will have ample opportunities ahead to establish herself in the industry. 'And I am sure that there is plenty of opportunities Shanaya will have to prove, although she doesn't need to, as she is fantastic and talented, but I am sure people will see the kind of potential, the kind of talent she has over a period of time.' Zain shared.
Apart from Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, Zain Khan Durrani is best known for his performances in Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz, Bell Bottom, Mukhbir.
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