Anand L Rai’s latest film, “Tere Ishq Mein,” starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, arrives with a heavy emotional premise but ultimately turns into an uncomfortable exploration of male entitlement disguised as tragic romance. The film plays like an apology for “misunderstood men” in the name of unrequited love.
‘Tere Ishq Mein’ Review: Summary
“Tere Ishq Mein” is a dark, emotionally heavy film where obsession is painted as love and the woman at the center becomes a vessel for punishment, guilt, and blame. Dhanush delivers intensity, Kriti Sanon shines with raw horror — but the narrative consistently tilts in favour of the angry male protagonist.
‘Tere Ishq Mein’: Plot Built on Pain, Punishment & Psychological Manipulation
Mukti’s Horror Begins Early
Mukti’s stalker storms into her engagement celebration, throws Molotov cocktails, threatens death — hers and his — and when he is finally taken away, her fiancé Jassi’s first reaction is: “Shouldn’t you apologize to him?”
‘Tere Ishq Mein’: Shankar’s Character — Angry, Troubled, Yet Victimised
A Pilot on Probation
Dhanush’s character Shankar, an air force pilot, is grounded for repeatedly disobeying orders. With war looming, he gets one last chance — a psychiatrist’s approval.That psychiatrist is Mukti, pregnant and unwell, yet determined to evaluate him.
Flashbacks Begin
The narrative jumps into the past the moment she begins his assessment.
‘Tere Ishq Mein’: Mukti’s Thesis & the Start of a Toxic ‘Courtship’
Mukti presents her 2,200-page thesis proposing that close counselling can treat violent tendencies.Right on cue, Shankar bursts into her seminar chasing a rival. Mukti stops him — and he instantly falls for her.
A Dangerous Deal
Mukti offers Shankar a strange arrangement:
He can hang around her, She will mould him into a peaceful man. In return, she will study him for her PhDThis sets up a courtship meant to appear edgy and romantic but feels disturbing and reckless.
Early Humiliation
One shocking moment arrives when Mukti promises Shankar “fun” if he avoids a random fight — she then takes him to a hotel room and removes her shirt.This is framed as part of her “process,” but it only deepens the exploitation underlying their dynamic.
‘Tere Ishq Mein’: A Film That Punishes Mukti Relentlessly
The film consistently suggests that:
Shankar is innocent, Mukti is confusing, elitist, or manipulative, She smokes, drinks, and speaks French — markers the film uses to paint her as “morally grey.”
At one point, he accuses her of imposing her views on others.It reflects the chilling truth: Men fear being laughed at; women fear being killed.
‘Tere Ishq Mein’: Crossing Into Male Self-Pity Territory
A Repulsive Curse, In one horrific scene, Shankar pours a clear liquid on Mukti — not acid, though she fears it — and curses: “She should have a son so she understands that those who die for love are someone’s sons too.”
A Priest Reinforces His Delusions, A brief appearance by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub adds fuel: “Love is death, not mukti,” he says, encouraging Shankar to burn so fiercely that “Mukti will beg at your feet.”
By the time they meet again in Leh, Shankar’s obsession has rotted into pure hatred.
‘Tere Ishq Mein’: Anand L Rai’s Signature Psychology, But With a Mean-Spirited Core
Rai is known for twisted emotional stories like ‘Raanjhanaa’ and ‘Atrangi Re’. Here too, the film explores trauma, mental instability, and heartbreak — but not in a balanced way.
Shankar is portrayed as:A patriotic success, Loved by his men,Battling internal demons
Mukti, meanwhile, is: A failure, Overcome by guilt,Endangering her unborn child, Emotionally destroyed,The imbalance is glaring, and intentional.
The film clearly targets an audience that enjoys seeing the woman “humiliated into understanding” the man’s pain.
‘Tere Ishq Mein’: Performances That Outshine the Writing
Dhanush as Shankar: He delivers intensity and emotional grit, but the script constantly shields his character from accountability.
Kriti Sanon as Mukti: Her horrified expressions become the most truthful moment in the film — almost as if she, too, sees how unfairly the narrative treats her character.