Tere Ishk Mein Movie Review (2025): A Turbulent Saga of Obsession and Melody
Review of Aanand L. Rai’s spiritual successor to Raanjhanaa, starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon.
Tere Ishk Mein arrived in theaters on November 28, 2025, carrying the weight of massive expectations. Marking the third collaboration between director Aanand L. Rai and National Award-winning actor Dhanush, the film was touted as a spiritual successor to their 2013 cult classic, Raanjhanaa. With A.R. Rahman returning to compose the score and Kriti Sanon joining the cast, the film promises a high-voltage drama about love, rage, and redemption.
While the film delivers on performance and musical grandeur, it navigates a polarized narrative path that oscillates between intense emotional highs and questionable archaic tropes. This comprehensive review analyzes the plot, performances, direction, and technical aspects of Tere Ishk Mein.
Movie Details
| Category | Details |
| Title | Tere Ishk Mein |
| Release Date | November 28, 2025 |
| Director | Aanand L. Rai |
| Cast | Dhanush, Kriti Sanon, Prakash Raj, Priyanshu Painyuli, Vineet Kumar Singh |
| Music | A.R. Rahman |
| Cinematography | Tushar Kanti Ray |
| Runtime | 2 Hours 49 Minutes |
| Genre | Romantic Drama / Tragedy |
| Language | Hindi, Tamil |
Plot Synopsis
The narrative introduces us to Shankar (Dhanush), a volatile yet brilliant young man. By day, he is a dedicated Air Force pilot (Flight Lieutenant), but his spirit is marred by a history of unchecked aggression and deep-seated emotional trauma stemming from his mother’s death. His father (Prakash Raj) is a supportive but helpless figure who watches his son wrestle with inner demons.
Because of his disciplinary issues and violent outbursts, Shankar is grounded and required to undergo psychological evaluation before he can fly again during an ongoing conflict. Enter Mukti (Kriti Sanon), a composed and ambitious psychologist assigned to clear him for duty.
The story oscillates between the present-day evaluation and flashbacks to their shared past. We learn that Shankar and Mukti share a complicated history that began in their college days. Shankar, the “Raanjhanaa-esque” rebel, fell obsessively in love with Mukti. However, Mukti viewed him initially as a fascinating case study for her thesis on controlling human violence, explicitly drawing a line between professional interest and romance.
As the timeline unfolds, the film reveals a tragic entanglement. Shankar’s love morphs into self-destruction, while Mukti struggles with her own manipulative tendencies and eventual spiraling into alcohol addiction. The narrative crescendo hits when Shankar learns of Mukti’s marriage to another man, triggering a chain of events involving petrol bombs, shattered egos, and a desperate quest for closure in the holy city of Varanasi.
Cinematic Analysis
Direction and Themes
Aanand L. Rai returns to his favorite playground: the semi-urban, emotionally raw landscapes of North India. He attempts to recreate the infectious energy of Raanjhanaa, but the tone here is decidedly darker. Rai explores the theme that “love is a form of violence,” pushing his characters to their breaking points.
However, the direction struggles to balance the modern setting with the script’s somewhat dated sensibilities. The film romanticizes toxic behavior, framing Shankar’s stalking and aggression as passionate devotion. While Rai excels at capturing the texture of small-town emotions and the grandeur of Varanasi, the narrative messaging feels conflicted for a 2025 release.
Performances
Dhanush is the undisputed soul of the movie. As Shankar, he delivers a performance of blistering intensity. Whether he is portraying the vulnerable, love-struck student or the hardened, rage-filled pilot, his body language and eyes convey volumes. He humanizes a character that is written to be largely unlikable, making the audience root for him despite his flaws.
Kriti Sanon delivers one of the most challenging performances of her career. As Mukti, she steps out of her comfort zone to play a character who is not just a damsel but a flawed, sometimes unlikable, professional battling her own decline. While she shines in the emotional breakdown scenes in the second half, her character arc suffers from inconsistent writing—fluctuating between a brilliant academic and a helpless victim of circumstance.
Supporting Cast: Prakash Raj adds gravitas as the father, bringing warmth to the screen that balances the film’s aggression. Priyanshu Painyuli, playing Shankar’s best friend, provides necessary comic relief and emotional grounding.
Screenplay and Pacing
Written by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, the screenplay is the film’s weakest link. At nearly three hours, the movie feels overlong. The first half engages with its energetic setup and college nostalgia, but the second half drags under the weight of heavy melodrama.
The script relies heavily on coincidences—such as Mukti being the specific psychologist assigned to Shankar years later. Furthermore, the dialogue, while poetic in places (thanks to lyricist Irshad Kamil), often descends into sermonizing about the nature of love, which slows down the narrative momentum.
Music and Visuals
A.R. Rahman’s soundtrack is a major highlight, serving as a narrative force rather than just background filler. Tracks like the title song “Tere Ishk Mein” and the Sufi-infused “Deewana Deewana” are instant classics that elevate the emotional stakes. The background score is thundering, matching the protagonist’s chaotic mind.
Cinematographer Tushar Kanti Ray captures the duality of the film brilliantly. The warm, golden hues of Varanasi contrast sharply with the cold, sterile interiors of the Air Force base and the psychological evaluation rooms. The visuals effectively mirror the protagonist’s transition from a fiery lover to a cold, disciplined soldier.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
-
Dhanush’s Powerhouse Acting: A raw, visceral performance that anchors the film.
-
A.R. Rahman’s Music: A haunting score that lingers long after the credits roll.
-
Visual Aesthetics: Beautifully shot sequences in Varanasi and Delhi that create a distinct atmosphere.
-
Emotional Climax: The final act, despite narrative flaws, delivers a solid emotional punch.
Weaknesses
-
Toxic Tropes: The film glorifies obsessive love and stalking, which feels regressive.
-
Runtime: At 169 minutes, the film requires significant trimming, particularly in the second half.
-
Convoluted Logic: Character motivations, especially Mukti’s professional decisions, often defy logic to serve the drama.
-
Inconsistent Tone: Swings wildly between a realistic psychological drama and a masala entertainer.
Box Office Performance
Tere Ishk Mein opened strongly at the box office, minting approximately ₹16 Crore on its first day, driven largely by the “Raanjhanaa nostalgia” and Dhanush’s star power. It saw steady growth over its opening weekend, crossing the ₹60 Crore mark within four days. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film has resonated with mass audiences in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, cementing it as a commercial success in a year dominated by romantic dramas.
Final Verdict
Tere Ishk Mein is a film of extremes. It is visually stunning and musically enriching, powered by a Dhanush performance that demands to be seen. However, it is shackled by a script that confuses toxicity with intensity and obsession with love.
For fans of Aanand L. Rai’s brand of tragic romance and A.R. Rahman’s music, this is a must-watch theatrical experience. For those seeking a nuanced, modern take on relationships, the film may feel like a frustrating journey back in time. It is a flawed gem that burns bright but occasionally scorches the viewer with its problematic narrative.
Rating: 3/5 Stars