‘Tere Ishq Mein’ is a love story where the deeper the love, the more painful it is. Anand L. Rai once again brings to the screen emotional relationships, stormy love, and inner conflicts in his signature style.
However, the film falls short in many places compared to the magic, flow, and music of his previous films, especially ‘Raanjhanaa’.
The Story Line Of The Tere Ishq Mein
The story begins with Shankar Gurukkal (Dhanush), an angry, unruly, and the most dangerous student leader in the college. On the other side is Mukti Beniwal (Kriti Sanon), a sensible and thoughtful research student who believes that violence is not human nature, but a circumstance that can be changed.
After an incident, their paths cross, and Mukti decides to prove her thesis by changing Shankar. Gradually, Shankar truly changes, his anger subsides, his sensitivity grows, and he begins to fall deeply in love with Mukti. However, the truth is revealed: this change was part of Mukti’s education, not her heartbeat. This revelation shatters Shankar’s world.
After seven years, fate brings them face to face again, but this time, it’s not love, but pain, betrayal, and unhealed wounds. The second half is full of emotions, but some scenes feel unconvincing, and the length weakens the story’s momentum.
The film’s strongest point is its acting. Dhanush portrays Shankar’s anger, his brokenness, and Prem’s restlessness with remarkable effectiveness. Many of his scenes are memorable. Kriti Sanon portrays Mukti’s fragile yet strong character with ease. Her acting is controlled and, in places, truly beautiful. Prakash Raj, Priyanshu Painuly, and other actors also make an impact in their roles. However, the writing for some supporting characters is a bit weak.
The film’s direction and technical aspects
The first half of the film is very strong. Many scenes are impactful and create an emotional pull. Mukti’s portrayal of Shankar as her “subject,” the confrontation just before the interval, and the bar scene leave a special impact.
The story disintegrates a bit in the second half, and some events seem overly cinematic. The direction loses its grip here. The camerawork is good, and the production design is realistic. The film’s editing could have been tighter. Perhaps this is why the 169-minute duration feels quite long.
How is the film’s music?
In this regard, the movie is not as good as “Raanjhanaa.” Although the music of A.R. Rahman is lovely, it is not very memorable.
Songs like “Jigar Thanda” and “Chinnavare” leave an impact, but the impact of “Tum Tak,” “Banarasiyya,” or “Raanjhanaa Hua” from “Raanjhanaa” is lacking. The biggest disappointment is that the film’s title track, “Tere Ishq Mein,” which was heavily featured in promotions, wasn’t used properly in the film. This will certainly bother audiences. The placement of some songs slows down the story’s pace.
Film’s Final Verdict
“Tere Ishq Mein” is a deep, emotional, and turbulent love story. Strong performances, some memorable scenes, and excellent technical work make it impactful, but the film’s length, weak second half, and mediocre music prevent it from reaching the level of “Raanjhanaa.” The film is made with heart, but the passionate magic, musical surge, and heartache that audiences expect are not fully realised this time.
