‘Tere Ishq Mein’ Review & Box Office: Dhanush and Kriti Sanon Deliver an Intense Romantic Drama
The long wait for director Aanand L. Rai's latest romantic saga, 'Tere Ishq Mein', finally ended today, November 28, 2025. Starring the magnetic pairing of National Award winner Dhanush and the versatile Kriti Sanon, this intense drama has been positioned as a 'spiritual successor' to Rai's iconic film, Raanjhanaa. With its powerful performances, rustic Banaras backdrop, and a soulful soundtrack by A. R. Rahman, the film is already dominating early box office reports and trending across social media platforms. The reunion of Rai, Dhanush, Rahman, and writer Himanshu Sharma (the creative core behind Raanjhanaa) has ensured that 'Tere Ishq Mein' carries immense expectation, which it appears to be meeting with its raw and emotionally turbulent narrative.
What is 'Tere Ishq Mein' About? Plot and Theme
'Tere Ishq Mein' is far from a typical Bollywood romance. It dives deep into the complex themes of obsessive love, unbridled passion, and the destructive nature of heartbreak. The story centres on Shankar (Dhanush), introduced as an intense young man who later reveals himself to be Flight Lieutenant Shankar, whose disciplined professional life stands in stark contrast to his inner emotional turmoil. His world revolves around Mukti (Kriti Sanon), his college sweetheart and the object of his intense devotion. Mukti is portrayed as a woman grappling with her own aspirations and the weight of societal and family expectations.
The narrative takes a dark and unflinching turn when Mukti decides to marry someone else, shattering Shankar's world. His love quickly transforms into a storm of possessiveness, rage, and a singular focus on revenge, leading to a complex and turbulent journey of emotional collapse, desperation, and eventual transformation.
The Significance of Banaras
Crucially, the film is set against the backdrop of Banaras (Varanasi). This spiritual, chaotic, and ancient city is more than just a location; it becomes a character in itself. The sacred ghats, the winding streets, and the juxtaposition of devotion and raw human emotion provide a gritty, authentic background that enhances the film's intense, raw emotional core. This setting powerfully mirrors Shankar's own journey—a search for purification and meaning amid overwhelming internal chaos.
Dhanush and Kriti Sanon's Performance
Dhanush's portrayal of Shankar, an angry young man grappling with profound heartbreak, is being hailed by critics as one of the year's most powerful performances. His intensity and ability to convey deeply flawed yet passionate characters is undeniably reminiscent of his unforgettable role as Kundan in Raanjhanaa. Kriti Sanon also shines as Mukti, delivering a nuanced performance of a woman caught between her own choices and the powerful, destructive orbit of Shankar's love. Their chemistry is volatile and authentic, providing the necessary emotional anchor for this dark romantic drama.
The Dream Team: Director, Cast, and Music
'Tere Ishq Mein' reunites the powerhouse team that gave us some of the most memorable Hindi films, ensuring a project built on proven cinematic synergy.
Director: Aanand L. Rai (known for Raanjhanaa, Tanu Weds Manu, Atrangi Re). Rai's signature style of blending high-stakes emotional drama with authentic, small-town settings and flawed protagonists is immediately visible. He describes the film as exploring the same emotional space as Raanjhanaa, focusing on the complexities and layers of a turbulent love story, rather than a straightforward, clean romance. The script, penned by his long-time collaborator Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, has been praised for its boldness in tackling challenging themes.
Lead & Supporting Cast: Dhanush (as Shankar) and Kriti Sanon (as Mukti) lead the film. However, the depth of the drama is amplified by a strong ensemble. The supporting cast includes veteran actor Prakash Raj as Shankar's father, Sushil Dahiya as an Inspector, and notable actors like Priyanshu Painyuli and Vineet Kumar Singh in pivotal roles, all adding significant weight to the narrative's dramatic turns.
Music: The legendary A. R. Rahman has composed the music, with soul-stirring lyrics by Irshad Kamil. This combination guarantees a classic, emotional soundtrack. The music becomes a character in itself, echoing the film’s central themes of longing and despair. Tracks like "Aawaara Angaara" (already a social media sensation) and the recently released "Usey Kehna" have struck a chord with the audience, carrying the film's emotional intensity forward. The musical score is widely considered a major highlight, perfectly aligning with the complex emotions explored on screen.
Early Box Office & Audience Reaction: A Decent Start
Released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, 'Tere Ishq Mein' has seen a promising start. The film secured a decent opening at the box office, with strong advance bookings confirming the high anticipation, especially given the success of the film's teaser and promotional videos that hinted at a dark, intense story.
With a lengthy runtime of approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes and a U/A 16+ certificate, the film signals its intention to deliver a mature, detailed cinematic experience. Industry analysts predict an opening day collection in the double-digit crore range, a significant number for a non-holiday release. Early reports suggest the film has already surpassed the Day 1 collection of Dhanush's Hindi debut, Raanjhanaa, solidifying its position as one of the biggest Hindi openers for the star. The initial public and critic response has been largely positive, heavily praising the emotional chemistry between the leads and Rai’s unflinching direction of a turbulent love story, cementing its status as a must-watch intense romance of 2025.
Where to Watch: Theatrical and OTT Release
'Tere Ishq Mein' is currently running in theaters globally, having been released on November 28, 2025.
For viewers looking ahead, the film's digital rights have been secured by a major streaming giant. 'Tere Ishq Mein' will be available to stream exclusively on Netflix after its mandatory exclusive theatrical run is complete. The OTT release date is officially anticipated to be within the standard four-week window for major releases, placing its digital debut between late December 2025 and late January 2026. The exact date will depend on the film's overall sustained box office success, but fans can expect to re-watch the intense tale on their screens soon.
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