Tere Ishk Mein Review: Is Dhanush’s "Raanjhanaa 2.0" a Vibe or a Toxic Mess?

Okay, stop everything you are doing and listen up! The OG "sad boi" of Bollywood is back, and the internet is screaming. I just walked out of the theater after watching Dhanush and Kriti Sanon in Tere Ishq Mein, and honestly? My brain is buzzing.

Everyone has been calling this the spiritual successor to Raanjhanaa (2013), and let me spill the tea they aren't wrong. The entire creative gang Director Anand L. Rai, the writer, the music team, and our main man Dhanush is back together. It’s basically Raanjhanaa’s cousin who went to therapy but quit halfway through. If you’ve been missing that intense, borderline obsessive love story energy, this one is for you. But is it a masterpiece? Let’s dive in.

1. It’s Giving Raanjhanaa, But Make It Gen-Z

First things first: The director confirmed this is a "spiritual successor," not a direct sequel. So, no, Kundan isn't rising from the dead. The setup, characters, and plot are different, but the soul? It’s identical.

They haven't just copy-pasted the old movie, but some themes are living rent-free in this script. It’s updated for today’s generation, but the core emotion remains the same: reckless, self-destructive love.

2. The "I Can Fix Him" Syndrome is Real

I won’t spoil the plot because the trailer (thankfully) kept it vague, but here is the one-line summary: The entire movie happens because Kriti Sanon’s character, Mukti, looks at a walking red flag and thinks, "Oh, toxic boy? I can fix him." Bestie, if she hadn’t made that decision, the movie would be over in 10 minutes. Dhanush isn’t playing the sweet, innocent lover here. He’s angry, he’s a bully, and he’s chaotic. But then he meets Mukti, and his life takes a massive U-turn. The dynamic is wild—one person is obsessed to the point of burning down Delhi, and the other (Mukti) is just trying to get her work done, oblivious to the fire she's playing with. It’s not a romance; it’s a "Rage Story." If you are looking for a healthy relationship, go to therapy, not this movie.

3. Dhanush A.K.A The Acting God

Can we talk about Dhanush? The man is a legend. His body language, the facial expressions, the way he smirks while spinning a rope in slow motion—it’s pure Main Character Energy. I’ve seen him in many roles, but this angry avatar hits different.

Yes, the Hindi accent is back (similar to Raanjhanaa), and while it might feel weird for the first 5 minutes, it fits the character perfectly. And Kriti Sanon? Massive improvement from what we usually see in these types of roles (sorry Sonam, but Kriti took the W here). She holds her ground well.

4. Aesthetics vs. The Glitchy Matrix

Here is what I loved: The sets. They showed a lower-middle-class setting, and for once, it didn’t look like a shiny Bollywood set. It felt authentic, like a real mohalla. However, the VFX? A bit "meh." There are scenes (like inside a fighter jet) where you can clearly tell it’s CGI. A little camera shake would have made it more realistic, but hey, we move.

5. The Music & The "Vibe"

The music is decent a couple of tracks will definitely make it to your heartbreak playlist. But I have a minor gripe with the editing. There are moments where the scene is emotional, the dialogue is hitting hard, and then the music drops... and it just doesn't slap the way it should. It felt like a bad transition reel on Instagram.

Quick Look (TL;DR)

• Movie: Tere Ishq Mein

• Director: Anand L. Rai

• Lead Cast: Dhanush, Kriti Sanon

• Vibe: Spiritual Successor to Raanjhanaa, Toxic Love, High Drama.

• Verdict: Great 1st half, shaky but safe landing in the 2nd half.

• Watch If: You liked Raanjhanaa or enjoy intense, acting-heavy dramas.

Fans Also Asked

Is Tere Ishq Mein a sequel to Raanjhanaa? No, it is not a direct sequel. It is a "spiritual successor," meaning it shares the same creative team (Director Anand L. Rai and Dhanush) and thematic vibe, but the story and characters are completely new.

What is the story of Tere Ishq Mein? It follows an aggressive, angry young man (Dhanush) whose life spirals after falling for a girl named Mukti (Kriti Sanon). It explores themes of obsession, one-sided expectations, and the "I can fix him" trope.

How is Kriti Sanon’s performance in the movie? Kriti Sanon delivers a strong performance as Mukti. The insider consensus is that her casting was a solid decision, marking a significant improvement over similar roles in the past (like Sonam Kapoor in Raanjhanaa).

Is the movie worth watching in theaters? If you enjoy intense dramas and Dhanush’s acting, yes. The set design is authentic and the performances are top-tier, though the VFX and some musical transitions are a bit average.