Tere Ishk Mein brings back the explosive Dhanush–Aanand L Rai duo in a dark, emotionally charged story of love, rage, and obsession. Starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, the film blends raw emotions with gripping drama — but also stumbles in parts. Here’s a complete, spoiler-free review of this highly-anticipated romantic tragedy.
Story – An Angry Man, a Bold Thesis & a Love That Breaks Boundaries
The film follows Shankar Gurukkal (Dhanush), a rebellious college leader feared for his violent streak, and Mukti Behniwal (Kriti Sanon), a PhD student researching whether aggressive men can be transformed into peaceful human beings.
When Shankar disrupts Mukti’s thesis presentation, she takes him on as her subject to prove her theory.
What begins as a psychological experiment soon turns into an intense, consuming love story, altering Shankar’s life — until one harsh truth breaks him completely.
A dramatic 7-year time jump reshapes the narrative, setting the stage for a turbulent second half.
Writing – Strong Dialogue, Impactful Drama, but Confusing Turns
The story by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav taps into the current trend of emotionally wounded heroes.
The screenplay is engaging in several moments — especially during Shankar’s transformation — but becomes muddled later, particularly in the present-day sequences.
The dialogues, however, remain sharp, emotional, and often laced with well-timed humour, adding weight to crucial scenes.
Direction – Aanand L Rai Nails the Drama, Struggles With the Finale
Aanand L Rai opens the film with a high-impact moment and smoothly transitions into an intriguing flashback.
He excels in crafting dramatic highlights, including:
- Mukti convincing Shankar to be her subject
- The bar-sequence chaos
- The intense intermission twist
- Prakash Raj’s powerful sequences as Shankar’s father
These scenes showcase Rai’s strength in emotional storytelling.
However, the second half suffers from convenient plotting, too many cinematic liberties, and a stretched climax that weakens the overall impact.
What Works & What Doesn’t – A Quick Breakdown
What Works
- Dhanush’s fiery, layered performance
- Strong emotional beats
- Stand-out dramatic scenes
- Engaging first half
- Memorable dialogues
What Falls Short
- Confusing narrative turns in the second half
- Convenient screenplay choices
- Over-dramatic, overstretched finale
- Logical gaps (security, character choices, high-altitude arc)
Despite these issues, the film remains watchable due to its emotional heft and Dhanush’s compelling portrayal.
Jay-Ho Catch-Up
Tere Ishk Mein is an intense, dramatic love saga powered by strong performances and impactful scenes, though the second half weakens its momentum. If you enjoy emotionally charged romantic tragedies with a raw edge, this one will resonate — flaws and all.
