The pairing of Dhanush and Kriti Sanon is truly a unique casting choice. But is it enough to sustain a very long film? The first half shows how Shankar (Dhanush), an angry young man from the slums of Delhi, falls in love with Mukti (Kriti Sanon), a girl from South Delhi, whose father is an IAS officer. My only request to the filmmakers is to stop normalizing harassment and glorifying violence. At first sight, it appears to be a love story woven with emotions and thrills. But as the second half loses its rhythm, it becomes clear that strong casting and cinematic freedom only work when the story and direction are strong.
The film opens with Indian Air Force fighter jets flying in the sky and Dhanush, a dashing Indian Air Force pilot, facing disciplinary problems. He is one of the best officers, but his behavior is very difficult. He needs counseling because he refuses to follow orders from his superiors. But he knows his job well. Kriti Sanon, who plays Mukti, a psychiatrist, is willing to go to the war zone to counsel him. She is pregnant and has other health problems, including heavy drinking, but after reading Shankar’s (Dhanush) case, she insists that she will take the case and go to the war zone. It’s really weird, and these kinds of cinematic liberties shouldn’t be taken.
Performance in Tere Ishq: Dhanush shines, Kriti bows
Dhanush is the strongest pillar of the film. His performance has the same signature intensity for which he is loved: raw anger, passion, vulnerability. He elevates the film to the best of his ability, often single-handedly keeping it alive.
However, Kriti Sanon struggles to connect the emotional core of the film. Despite her efforts, weak writing and excessive cinematic liberties undermine her performance. She never feels fully immersed in the role of a conflicted psychiatrist. There are moments where she connects, but there are others where she seems lost in the film’s awkward drama.
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Prakash Raj playing the role of Shankar’s father has done well, but fails to bring emotional depth to the role. His character pales in comparison to the loud, dramatic tone of the film.
Mohammad Zeeshan Ayub’s cameo, though looks good on paper, doesn’t make much of an impact on the story.
Tere Ishq Mein: Direction and Cinematic Freedom
Anand L Roy, known for portraying the simplicity and hardships of life, surprisingly misses the mark here. His direction seems too confident, which gives the film too much cinematic freedom and ultimately undermines its pace and realism.
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The first half hints at an emotional romantic drama, but the film soon turns into a chaotic mix of romance, action, thriller and melodrama. None of these elements are allowed to breathe properly or land on the ground.
Roy’s usual emotional depth is missing. Instead, Tere Ishq Mein feels much more forceful and uneven, constantly surprising the audience – but not in a good way. Anger and love between Shankar and Mukti never become a real thing.
Tere Ishq Mein Music: A.R. Even Rahman could not save it
AR Rahman’s name certainly raises expectations, but the music disappoints. Except for the title track ‘Tere Ishq Main’, none of the songs or the background score leaves much of an impact. The music weakens the story instead of elevating it.
Tere Ishq Mein: See or Miss?
Despite good casting and strong performances, ‘Tere Ishq Mein’ is weak because its foundation – story and direction – is weak. The film lacks depth, nuance and emotional connection. Too much drama and unrealistic story choices destroy whatever potential the film had.
If you are a fan of Dhanush, you might find some moments to enjoy. But if you are looking for a tight, emotionally strong film, Tere Ishq Mein will probably disappoint.