'Tere Ishk Mein' review: Dhanush is spectacular in inconsistent drama
What's the story
Aanand L Rai's Tere Ishk Mein, a spiritual successor to his 2013 hit Raanjhanaa, once again explores the themes of love, loss, longing, and destruction. Starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon in the lead roles, the film benefits heavily from the former's enrapturing performance. However, after a gripping first half, it loses all steam post-intermission, eventually ending as an uneven, inconsistent drama.
Plot
Focuses on Shankar's obsessive love for Mukti
Quite bloated at 169 minutes, Tere Ishk Mein follows an obsessive lover, Shankar (Dhanush), who falls for Mukti (Sanon). While Mukti is content to be friends with him, his "love" for her consumes him, and rejection sends him down a destructive path. Years later, he becomes an IAF officer, they meet, and Mukti seeks forgiveness. Is a happily-ever-after on the cards?
#1
What works: Dhanush is a scene-stealer throughout the movie
Shankar is a Tamilian living in Delhi, and Rai's blue-eyed boy, Dhanush, fits the role perfectly. From his gait to his mannerisms to his diction, Dhanush sells his character well: he's believable and realistic as an aggressive, violent loafer with a bleak future. An effortless scene-stealer, Dhanush captures every frame with confidence and delivers an electrifying performance.
#2
The first half is solid and engaging
The film hits one right note after another in the first half and soars terrifically. Mukti and Shankar's love-hate relationship, her efforts to "fix" him and his toxic masculinity, and their first few interactions establish the groundwork well. Like Raanjhanaa, Tere Ishk Mein, too, is unapologetically marinated in themes of rage, revenge, passion, and redemption.
#3
More on the above aspect
Tere Ishk Mein features several scenes that seem plucked from daily life. The movie has a bigger scope than Raanjhanaa, and Rai's filmmaking seems evolved in many scenes. Moreover, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub's cameo, a nod to his famous Raanjhanaa role, struggles to land but might appeal to the movie's loyal fans.
#4
What doesn't work: The music fails to impress
Unlike Raanjhanaa, Tere Ishk Mein doesn't boast a sensational soundtrack, even though AR Rahman composed for both movies. Only the title track, sung by Arijit Singh in his signature passionate style and penned by Irshad Kamil, stays with you. Separately, a sub-plot that showcases India's war with Pakistan comes out of left field and feels like an awkward, jarring addition to the film.
#5
Rai ignores nearly everyone except Mukti and Shankar
TIM also suffers because it has weak, instantly forgettable supporting characters. Only Prakash Raj, who essays Shankar's father, and Tota Roy Chowdhury, who plays Mukti's father, get some scope to perform. The overall weak characterization instantly bothers you: despite the lengthy runtime, it feels like we barely know Mukti and Shankar. Excessive cinematic liberties and convenient instances also bog the movie down.
Verdict
Watch on OTT only for Dhanush; 3/5 stars
With a tighter narrative, a realistic storyline, and better fleshed-out characters, Tere Ishk Mein could have been a much better film. Alas, it wastes its potential and falls prey to the second-half curse. On the other hand, Dhanush's fiery, passionate performance sets the screen ablaze, and the movie can be watched on OTT once to savor his work. 3/5 stars.