Today marks a special day for romance lovers as Tere Ishk Mein finally releases in theaters across India. Directed by the master of emotional storytelling, Aanand L. Rai, this film promises to take audiences on an intense romantic journey through the narrow lanes of Benaras, much like his earlier masterpiece Raanjhanaa.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Story and Plot: A Tale of Passionate Love
Set against the spiritual backdrop of Varanasi, Tere Ishk Mein tells the story of Shankar (Dhanush) and Mukti (Kriti Sanon), two souls whose love transcends the ordinary. The film explores themes of surrender, transformation, and the profound pain and healing that comes with an all-consuming romance.
The narrative unfolds in the world of Raanjhanaa, creating a spiritually connected universe that fans of Rai’s earlier work will immediately recognize. The story doesn’t just celebrate love—it dissects it, showing both its beautiful and destructive sides with equal intensity.
Performances: Dhanush and Kriti Shine Bright
Dhanush delivers yet another powerhouse performance as Shankar. The National Award-winning actor brings raw vulnerability and intensity to his character, making you feel every emotion he experiences. His portrayal of a man consumed by love is both heartbreaking and mesmerizing. This performance alone justifies his reported fee of ₹25 crore.
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Kriti Sanon as Mukti surprises everyone with her emotional depth. She holds her own against Dhanush, delivering one of her finest performances to date. The chemistry between the lead pair is palpable, making their love story believable and deeply moving.
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Prakash Raj, playing Shankar’s father, brings his trademark gravitas to the film. His scenes add emotional weight to the narrative. The supporting cast including Maahir Mohiuddin as Rana, Sushil Dahiya as the Inspector, and Redin Kingsley as Muthu provide solid support, enriching the film’s emotional fabric.
Direction and Screenplay: Aanand L. Rai’s Magic
Aanand L. Rai proves once again why he’s considered one of Bollywood’s finest directors when it comes to romantic dramas. His signature style—blending intense emotions with earthy humor and cultural authenticity—is evident throughout the 167-minute runtime.
The screenplay by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav is tightly woven. Despite being nearly 3 hours long, the film never feels dragging. Every scene serves a purpose, building toward a climax that early reviewers have described as one of 2025’s most impactful endings.
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The dialogues are poetic yet natural, perfectly capturing the essence of passionate love without becoming overly melodramatic. The Benaras setting is utilized beautifully, with the ghats, temples, and narrow alleys becoming characters in themselves.
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Music and Background Score: A.R. Rahman’s Brilliance
A.R. Rahman’s music is the soul of Tere Ishk Mein. The soundtrack, with lyrics by Irshad Kamil, features an impressive lineup of songs that enhance the storytelling beautifully.
The title track “Tere Ishk Mein” sung by Arijit Singh is already a chartbuster. Darshan Raval’s “Jigar Thanda” captures the intensity of young love, while Shilpa Rao’s “Tere Zikr Mein” is hauntingly beautiful. Songs like “Awaara Angaara” by Faheem Abdullah and “Ladki Jaisi” by Sukhwinder Singh add different flavors to the narrative.
But it’s Rahman’s background score that truly elevates the film. The music doesn’t just accompany scenes—it amplifies emotions, making several moments genuinely goosebump-inducing. The sound design by Resul Pookutty deserves special mention for its immersive quality, especially in the Dolby Atmos format.
Technical Aspects: Visual and Production Excellence
The production design by Sandeep Ravade and Nitin Zihani Choudhary deserves applause for authentically recreating Benaras. Every frame feels genuine, transporting viewers to the spiritual city without feeling like a travelogue.
The action sequences choreographed by Sunil Rodrigues are intense and well-executed. They don’t feel forced into the narrative but emerge organically from the story’s emotional conflicts.
Shot in 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the film has a cinematic grandeur that demands to be experienced on the big screen. The color palette—warm oranges and deep blues—mirrors the film’s emotional temperature perfectly.
What Works
- Powerful Performances: Both lead actors are in top form
- Emotional Depth: The film doesn’t shy away from exploring complex emotions
- A.R. Rahman’s Music: Every song is memorable
- Authentic Setting: Benaras comes alive on screen
- Strong Climax: The ending leaves a lasting impact
- Direction: Aanand L. Rai’s vision is clear and compelling
What Doesn’t Work
- Runtime: At 167 minutes, some viewers might find it lengthy
- Slow Pace: The first half takes time to establish the characters
- Predictable Elements: If you’ve seen Raanjhanaa, some plot points feel familiar
- Limited Commercial Appeal: It’s more of an artistic romantic drama than a mass entertainer
Box Office Predictions
With advance bookings crossing ₹5 crore and over 1.3 lakh tickets already sold before release, Tere Ishk Mein is poised for a strong opening. Trade analysts predict the film will comfortably cross ₹10 crore on day 1 and has the potential to enter the ₹100 crore club if word-of-mouth remains positive.
Made on an estimated budget of ₹50 crore (including marketing costs), the film needs sustained box office performance to be declared a commercial success. The Dhanush-Kriti Sanon pairing and Aanand L. Rai’s brand name should help draw audiences across demographics.
Final Verdict
Tere Ishk Mein is not your typical Bollywood romance. It’s intense, emotional, and demands your complete attention. This is a film that celebrates love in its purest and most painful form, reminding us why cinema is such a powerful medium for storytelling.
If you loved Raanjhanaa, you’ll find yourself at home in this world. If you appreciate performances that touch your soul and music that stays with you long after you leave the theater, book your tickets now.
Aanand L. Rai has crafted a beautiful, heartbreaking love story that proves romance in Indian cinema can still be profound, authentic, and deeply moving. Dhanush and Kriti Sanon’s performances alone make this a must-watch.
Our Rating: 4/5 Stars
Who Should Watch: Romance lovers, fans of intense emotional dramas, Dhanush and Kriti Sanon fans, those who appreciated Raanjhanaa
Who Can Skip: Those looking for light-hearted entertainment or fast-paced commercial masala films
Tere Ishk Mein releases today, November 28, 2025, in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu versions across theaters nationwide. Experience this emotional roller coaster on the big screen—it’s worth every minute of your time.