Vikrant Massey, who recently won the hearts of the audiences with his stellar performance in the Vidhu Vinod Chopra film “12th Fail”, is now preparing for “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan”. According to a report by the Peeping Moon, the story of “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan” will be based on the popular short story titled “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond. As per the speculations, Vikrant Massey will be reportedly playing the role of a blind musician. While the film is scheduled to go on floors by August 2024, here is a little review of the short story as penned by Ruskin Bond.

“The Eyes Have It” is a simple story that unfolds on a train journey. The journey is no ordinary journey. It explores a deeper exploration of perception, communication, and the nature of connection.

The narrator is a blind man whose eyes are sensitive only to light and darkness. He finds a young woman, his co-passenger, with whom he will be sharing the compartment. They start having a conversation and the conversation starts typically — discussing destinations, moving scenery, etc. However, the narrator’s blindness becomes a subtle undercurrent thereby forcing him to rely on sounds and his intuition to understand his travel companion.

Ruskin’s masterful use of sensory details brings the scene to life. The rhythm of the sound from the girl’s slippers, the shrieking of the train’s whistle, and the girl’s laughter paint a beautiful picture even for the sighted readers. Yes, the narrator’s frustration for sighted readers. The narrator’s inability to see her face can be well-perceived, yet he prefers to focus on appreciating her voice and personality.

The turning point arises when another fellow passenger reveals that the girl is actually blind. This unexpected twist challenges the assumptions and forces the narrator to confront his own limitations. Did his blindness prevent him from truly connecting with her? While the ending seems to be ambiguous, the story does leave us with a lingering sense of introspection.

“The Eyes Have It” is a testament to the power of human connection that transcends beyond physical sight. It reminds us that true understanding can come from listening, empathy, and appreciating the world beyond the limitations of our physical sight.

(Note: India accounts for around 20% of the global blind population. Project Eyeway is an initiative by Score Foundation that acts as a one-stop knowledge resource for those people who are living their lives with blindness. Eyeway operates a national toll-free Helpdesk — 1800 53 20469.)