Tere Ishk Mein Movie Review: A Dark, Haunting, Musically Charged Love Story That Cuts Deep

Tere Ishk Mein arrives as one of the most emotionally charged romantic dramas of recent years—intense, atmospheric, self-destructive, and aching with longing. Reuniting Dhanush and Aanand L Rai after the cult impact of Raanjhanaa, the film positions itself not as a sequel but as a spiritual successor, carrying forward the raw, bruised heart of its predecessor while crafting a completely new tragedy anchored in obsession, regret, and emotional ruin. The haunting melody of Arijit Singh’s voice in the title track, the familiar ghats of Banaras, and the intense, pained gaze of Dhanush—from its very first promotional material, Tere Ishk Mein promised a return to a specific brand of raw, unvarnished romance that Hindi cinema has been craving.

Director Aanand L. Rai, reuniting with Dhanush after the monumental Raanjhanaa, doesn’t just deliver a sequel in name. Instead, he offers a spiritual successor that dives even deeper into the dark, chaotic, and often destructive side of love. Released on 28 November 2025 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the film is powered by a major musical backbone from A.R. Rahman, strong performances across the board, and a narrative that refuses to follow the rules of safe commercial romance. It wants to hurt you. It wants to linger. And it succeeds more often than not.

Tere Ishk Mein Movie Review: A Love Story That Burns Rather Than Glows

At its core, Tere Ishk Mein is the story of Shankar (Dhanush), a young man from Banaras whose life is defined by a single, all-consuming relationship with his college classmate, Mukti (Kriti Sanon). The film masterfully weaves between two timelines: the past, filled with the golden-hued, dreamy beginnings of their romance on the college campuses and ghats of Banaras, and the present, where Shankar is a disciplined Flight Lieutenant in the Indian Air Force, yet emotionally scarred and simmering with unresolved rage.

This is not your typical boy-meets-girl tale. From the start, their love is fraught with tension. Shankar is fiercely impulsive, hot-headed, and possessive, yet profoundly sincere in his devotion. Mukti is drawn to his passion but is equally terrified of his temper. She becomes both his anchor and his critic, trying to mold him into a safer version of himself. The turning point arrives when Mukti, in an act of self-preservation, chooses a more stable life, leaving Shankar. For him, this isn’t just a breakup; it’s an apocalypse.

The narrative then unfolds as a gripping chain reaction of heartbreak, guilt, and the threat of violence—famously teased in the trailer with Shankar’s warning that he could “burn all of Delhi.” The film poses a difficult question: Can love this intense ever truly end, or does it simply mutate into a lifelong wound?

Himashu Sharma, who wrote the story of Raanjhanaa, has also got the support of Neeraj Yadav this time. To keep them close to the world of Raanjhanaa, both of them have kept one-sided love, the feeling of love after everything is over, the passion to perish in love, everything. Just in many places it is not there, so that is logical. The completion of an incomplete love story on the battlefield feels good on paper, but it takes care of the logic to film it. Especially when the Indian Air Force and Navy are being mentioned in it. Shankar’s journey of first practicing law, then leaving him and appearing for the UPSC exam, then flying Tejas in the Air Force, is also not digested. It is also strange that Mukti, who counsels others, is not able to control herself. Despite all this, naming it Cinematic Liberty, Aanand L Rai’s direction, the acting of the film’s actors, and the story of obsessive love will make you feel like watching it. This time, not only the boy but also the girl is among those who are alone in love.

Performances: The Beating, Bruised Heart of the Film

Dhanush as Shankar: Dhanush is nothing short of phenomenal. He embodies Shankar with a terrifying authenticity that is both compelling and unsettling. In the college flashbacks, he captures the gawky charm, the insecure jealousy, and the raw vulnerability of a young man in love for the first time. In the present-day sequences, his transformation is palpable. His body language is heavier, his eyes hold a universe of pain, and his quiet moments speak volumes. The much-talked-about rooftop confrontation scene is a masterclass in acting, but it’s his quieter moments with Prakash Raj (who plays his father) that truly break your heart. He remains the undisputed soul of the film.

Kriti Sanon as Mukti: This is arguably Kriti Sanon’s most challenging and career-best performance. Mukti is not a one-dimensional “love interest”; she is a complex woman torn between profound love and primal fear. Kriti portrays this conflict with remarkable nuance. Her eyes convey a heartbreaking mixture of adoration and dread, especially in scenes where she confronts Shankar about his destructive tendencies. She holds her own against the force of nature that is Dhanush, making Mukti a character with agency, flaws, and her own tragic arc.

Supporting Cast & Music: Prakash Raj is perfectly cast as Shankar’s weary, loving father, adding a crucial emotional layer to the story. The film also features effective cameos and supporting roles from Priyanshu Painyuli, Vineet Kumar Singh, and a particularly clever, scene-stealing appearance by Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub beautifully bridges the film’s world with Raanjhanaa.

A special mention must be made for A.R. Rahman, whose music and background score act as a central character. The soundtrack—from the soulful “Tere Ishk Mein” to the fiery “Angaara“—is woven seamlessly into the narrative, elevating every emotional beat and binding the story’s two timelines together.

Tere Ishk Mein Movie Review and Analysis: Strengths, Flaws, and Thematic Depth

What Works Brilliantly:

• Emotional Honesty: The film refuses to sanitize its characters. Shankar is often toxic, and Mukti is not a passive victim. Their love is portrayed as a powerful, damaging force, and the film never shies away from this uncomfortable truth.
• Visual Storytelling: The cinematography is stunning. Banaras feels alive, romantic, and almost a character in itself, while Delhi’s winter fog mirrors the cold, bleak reality of Shankar’s present. The visual shift from warm, open frames to tight, restless compositions mirrors the characters’ psychological states perfectly.
• The “Spiritual Successor” Vibe: For fans of Raanjhanaa, the film delivers on its promise. It shares the same emotional DNA—the small-town setting, the flawed protagonist, the exploration of love’s darker side—without rehashing the same plot.

Where It Stumbles:

The film’s ambition is also its slight undoing. With a runtime of nearly 2 hours and 47 minutes, the narrative sometimes feels overloaded. The film tackles numerous themes—generational trauma, masculine fragility, societal pressure—and not every subplot lands with the intended impact. The final act, while emotionally powerful, feels slightly rushed, with key revelations arriving a little too quickly, which slightly softens the climactic punch.

Tere Ishk Mein: Final Verdict – Is It Worth Your Ticket?

Tere Ishk Mein is not an easy, comfortable watch. It is a demanding, emotionally draining, and often turbulent experience. It will polarize audiences; some will find the characters too flawed and the journey too painful. However, for those seeking a bold, big-screen romance that isn’t afraid to explore the jagged edges of love, this film is a triumph. Powered by career-defining performances from Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, and elevated by A.R. Rahman’s soul-stirring music, it’s a film that lingers long after the credits roll.

Final Verdict: Tere Ishk Mein is a fierce, flawed, and unforgettable cinematic journey. It stumbles in its ambition but soars on the strength of its raw emotion and powerhouse performances. If you have the stomach for a love story that burns as fiercely as it loves, this is an unmissable theatrical experience.

Cast: Dhanush, Kriti Sanon, Prakash Raj, Priyanshu Painyuli, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub

Director: Aanand L Rai

Filmyhype.com Ratings: 3.5/5 (three and a half stars)