‘Tere Ishk Mein’ Review: The Heart is Raw, But the Execution is Messy.

Aanand L. Rai and Dhanush are back together, and if you’ve been waiting for another epic, self-destructive love story in the vein of Raanjhanaa, you’ll find moments of pure emotional intensity in Tere Ishk Mein. However, be warned: this is a chaotic, turbulent watch that is carried almost entirely on the shoulders of its leading man, despite the script trying to juggle far too many elements in its nearly three-hour runtime.

Tere Ishk Mein Review: Dhanush is Fire in Rai's Messy Epic

The Phenomenon of Dhanush

The moment Dhanush (Shankar) explodes onto the screen as the hot-headed, violent Delhi college activist, you remember why this actor and this director are a formidable combination. Dhanush doesn’t just play Shankar; he unleashes him. His character, driven by childhood trauma and a deep, inarticulate rage, is the magnetic center of the film. The first half, set in the vibrant chaos of college life and Banaras, is electric primarily because of his raw, vulnerable performance. Every time he is on screen, whether raging at a rival or gazing with obsessive devotion at Mukti, he commands your attention. His performance in the second half, post-transformation into a stoic Air Force pilot, is equally brilliant, capturing the pain beneath the rigid uniform. He truly makes you root for the impossible.

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A Brilliant Premise Undermined

The central conflict-Mukti (Kriti Sanon), a psychology student, using Shankar as a case study to prove that love can cure violence—is a fascinating premise. Kriti Sanon delivers a very strong performance, particularly in the later, emotionally weighted scenes. She looks stunning, and her emotional volatility provides a necessary counterpoint to Dhanush’s fire.

However, Mukti’s character arc is where the script begins to crumble. While the relationship starts with a compelling intensity, her decisions feel wildly inconsistent and, at times, bafflingly self-centered, making it difficult to connect with her motive for the ultimate betrayal and separation. The film aims to portray a toxic, complicated love, but Mukti’s actions sometimes veer into the illogical, especially for a supposed academic.

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The Chaotic Second Half

The movie’s primary weakness is its pacing and structure, particularly after the interval. The narrative loses its intimate focus and tries to incorporate too many dramatic layers—a messy UPSC angle, a sudden jump to the Indian Air Force, and an overly convoluted revenge plot. It felt like the film was struggling to decide if it wanted to be a psychological drama, a social commentary on class, or an action-romance. The story gets needlessly complicated, diluting the pure emotional agony that the first half had established so well.

On the technical side, A.R. Rahman’s background score is phenomenal, amplifying every surge of emotion and heartbreak. The cinematography is beautiful, capturing both the vibrant energy of North India and the stark, lonely beauty of the Leh-Ladakh segments.

Final Verdict

Tere Ishk Mein is a film you should see for Dhanush. He is the heart, soul, and explosion of this movie, delivering a performance that deserves all the accolades. But the film is undeniably flawed. It’s an uneven, lengthy emotional ride—a spectacular first half gives way to a messy, melodramatic second half that tries to do too much. It’s a polarizing film, just like the love it depicts. If you can embrace the toxicity and the flaws, you'll find an intense, unforgettable dramatic experience.