T-Series Films and Colour Yellow Media Entertainment LLP’s Tere Ishk Mein (UA) is an intense and violent love story. For her psychology studies, Mukti (Kriti Sanon) has submitted a thesis on how an extremely violent person can be changed over a new leaf by counselling and, if need be, medication. To prove her point, she takes the example of a student, Shankar (Dhanush), from her own college. Shankar has terrible anger management issues. He is violent to the point of scaring away people. Mukti takes him into confidence and succeeds in reforming him. While interacting with him, Mukti realises why Shankar is so violent. She sees a huge potential in him and is keen to convert his negative sentiments into positive energy so that he can do something worthwhile in life. Since Shankar hails from a lower middle-class family, he seems to be leading a directionless life, always getting into problems with law. Mukti realises that he can improve hsi standard and do something woerhwhile in life if given a direction.
While being reformed, Shankar develops a great fondness for Mukti and starts loving her crazily. His love for her is so overpowering that this is something she hadn’t bargained for. But Mukti is not the one to give up merely because Shankar loves her. She feels, he will get over his love for her when he succeeds in life. Therefore, even now, Mukti wants Shankar to rise in life. In fact, she thinks, she owes it to him to make him realise his true potential and to channelise his energy into the right direction. Shankar does rise, but even after that, he is unable to get over his mad love for Mukti. Meanwhile, Mukti has found a friend whom she desires to marry. Shankar becomes violent again when he sees that Mukti is all set to marry Jassi (Paramvir Cheema), a senior navy officer. What happens thereafter? Does Shankar succeed in marrying Mukti? Or does Mukti marry Jassi? If Mukti marries Shankar, do they live happily ever after? If Mukti gets married to Jassi, does she live happily ever after with him? And what happens to Shankar? Does he return to his violent ways? Does he get a purpose in life? Do the paths of Shankar and Mukti ever cross again? Do they meet afterwards?
Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav have written a love story with many layers. It is a complex and, in a way, a twisted love story which keeps the viewers engaged and involved. There are plenty of turns and twists in the story because of which the audience keep guessing what’s next in store for them. The duo’s screenplay is difficult but it has been so well written by Sharma and Yadav that it succeeds in entertaining the viewers and often keeping them at the edge of their seats. There are some excellent scenes in the screenplay. The scene in which Shankar threatens Mukti’s friend, Abeer (Viren Barman), shocks the viewers. The scene in which Shankar reaches the haldi ceremoy of Mukti is chilling. The scene showing Shankar’s father (Prakash Raj) grovelling in front of Mukti’s father (Pushparag (Tota) Roy Choudhury) shakes the audience. The scene in which Shankar’s father literally kills himself in frustration, the scene in which Shankar sets the tents at the marriage celebrations of Mukti on fire, the scene between Shankar and Mukti in the pre-climax, the entire climax sequence… they are all extraordinary. The best part of the drama is that the audience are unable to decide who is right and who is wrong between Shankar and Mukti, because both have their reasons for doing what they are doing. Dialogues, written by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, are excellent and serve to heighten the impact of the drama.
Dhanush delivers an extraordinary performance as Shankar. In the scenes of violence, he is like a beast possessed. In the soft scenes, he is very endearing. His dances are a visual treat. Kriti Sanon is first-rate as Mukti. She has performed a very difficult role with the ease of a seasoned actor. Prakash Raj is phenomenal as Shankar’s lower middle-class father. Priyanshu Painyuli leaves a fantastic mark as Shankar’s bosom pal, Ved. Pushparag (Tota) Roy Choudhury lends immense dignity to the character of Mukti’s father. Paramvir Cheema is nice as Jassi. Vineet Kumar Singh makes his presence well felt as Shankar’s boss in the airforce. Chittaranjan Tripathy and Jaya Bhattacharya lend decent support as Mukti’s mentor-professors. In a brief special appearance, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub makes a superb impact as the pandit. Ashish Verma is nice as the stammering friend of Shankar. Viren Barman has his moments as Abeer. Others lend adequate support.
Aanand L. Rai’s direction is mature. He has narrated the complex story with such finesse that he deserves praise for a job well done. A.R. Rahman’s music is very melodious. The title track is a chartbuster. The other songs are also very tuneful. Irshad Kamil’s lyrics are wonderful. One (Tamil) song has been written by Dhanush. A.R. Rahman’s background music is splendid and increases the impact of the dramatic and melodramatic scenes. Tushar Kanti Ray’s cinematography is superb. Sunil Rodrigues does an excellent job of the action and stunt choreography. The action scenes are violent to the point of being chilling — which is what was needed. Nitin Zhani Choudhary’s production designing is of a high order. Editing (by Hemal Kothari and Prakash Chandra Sahoo) is super-sharp.
On the whole, Tere Ishk Mein is a definite box-office winner. It may even prove to be a hit.
Released on 28-11-’25 at Inox (daily 11 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru AA Films. Publicity & opening: excellent. …….Also released all over. Opening was superb everywhere.
