November 28, 2025 – Aanand L Rai’s Tere Ishq Mein starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon had all the ingredients to be a powerful romantic drama. Stunning Ladakh visuals, AR Rahman music, and two actors at the top of their game. Yet, what we get is a confusing, exhausting, and deeply problematic film that glorifies toxic obsession under the guise of “intense love.”

The Story: A Psychology Student Trying to “Fix” a Violent Man

Dhanush plays Shankar – an angry, rebellious Air Force officer with childhood trauma and zero control over his temper. Kriti Sanon is Mukti – a psychology student who believes violence is like “appendicitis” and can be cured with love, empathy, and therapy.

Yes, you read that right.

Instead of running away when she sees him beating people up, Mukti decides: “Perfect case study for my thesis!” She starts “treating” him, falls in love, and then… things go exactly where you fear they will. Obsession. Stalking. Emotional manipulation. Self-destruction.

By the time the film ends (after a painful 3 hours), you’re not heartbroken – you’re just angry and exhausted.

Performances: The Only Saving Grace

• Dhanush – As always, he’s brilliant. His pain, rage, and vulnerability feel real even when the script doesn’t.
• Kriti Sanon – Gives one of her best performances. Her silent scenes and emotional breakdown moments are powerful.
• Prakash Raj – Steals every scene he’s in. You’ll feel genuine pain when he’s hurt.
• Zeeshan Ayyub – Brings Raanjhanaa nostalgia with his “Pandit” energy.

If only the writing matched their talent.

Major Problems That Ruin the Film

• ✔ Glorifies toxic masculinity and obsessive “love”
• ✔ Mukti – an educated psychologist – makes decisions no real woman with a brain would
• ✔ Logic goes for a toss: A 27-year-old giving Air Force exams? Earning a PhD in 3 years?
• ✔ Overstuffed with random subplots (including a forced 12th Fail-inspired UPSC track)
• ✔ 3-hour runtime that feels endless
• ✔ Even AR Rahman’s music (except the title track) fails to impress

Final Verdict: Watch It Only for Dhanush & Kriti

Tere Ishq Mein will probably do well in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities – it has loud drama, emotional scenes, and a hero who “loves too much.” But for anyone who values healthy relationships, logic, or progressive storytelling, this film is a hard pass.

Dhanush and Kriti deserved a much better script. Instead, they’re stuck carrying a film that romanticizes danger and calls it passion.

If you loved Raanjhanaa and didn’t mind Kabir Singh or Animal – you might enjoy this. Everyone else? Save your money and mental peace.

Rating: 2.5/5 – Great acting trapped in a deeply flawed, triggering story.

Skip it in theatres. Wait for OTT… if you really must.