By Ayesha Khan 
Mumbai, November 29: The first wave of reactions to Tere Ishk Mein has been loud, conflicted, and unusually emotional. The film has barely completed its first cycle of shows, yet audiences are already split in a way that feels sharper than most Friday releases. Some viewers stepped out praising its intensity. Others stepped out because they felt the second half pushed them too far.
Critics See Promise Early On, Turbulence Later
The morning reviews made the divide clear. According to Deccan Herald, the film opens on steady feet, helped by the natural chemistry between Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, before it drifts into disarray as the story moves ahead. Their 2 out of 5 rating reflects the frustration of watching a strong start fall away.
GreatAndhra called the film “a lengthy emotional ride,” landing at 2.5, while Bollywood Hungama gave 3 stars, crediting the cast for holding together a narrative that starts losing focus after the interval.
Across the board, critics seem to agree on the same pattern. The initial stretch works. The emotions feel honest. Then the film slows down, pulls in too many threads, and gradually loses the clarity it builds early on.
Social Media Has Split Into Two Camps
By early afternoon, online reactions had turned into a tug-of-war. Several posts highlighted by The Economic Times praised the film’s intensity and the performances, calling it an “epic love story” and, in a few cases, a “bona fide blockbuster.”
But criticism arrived just as fast. Free Press Journal pointed to viewers calling the second half “cringe” and “toxic,” with some saying they stepped out mid-way because the drama felt stretched and chaotic.
The tone online isn’t measured. It is emotional, impatient, and in parts even defensive. That usually means a film is striking nerves, even if not always in the way its makers intended.
Box Office Opens Strong, Regardless Of The Noise
Despite the split, the money tells a clearer story. According to The Times of India, the film opened at around ₹16 to 16.5 crore, one of the highest openings for a romantic drama this year. Only Saiyaara has done better in this bracket.
TOI’s live blog noted that roughly 2.4 lakh tickets were sold in advance, a solid number for a late November release. Another update from the same publication suggested it may even be Dhanush’s biggest opening of 2025, ahead of titles like Kuberaa and Idli Kadai.
The numbers hint that the film’s audience pool is wider than its critics, at least for now.
Performances And Visual Tone Are Winning People Over
Even among viewers who had problems with the film, a few strengths kept coming up through the day. Both Dhanush and Kriti Sanon were praised for bringing weight and conviction to their roles. Their early scenes carry a rhythm that reviewers wish the rest of the film had maintained.
A handful of supporting performances have also been appreciated. And the music, paired with the film’s moody visuals, seems to have worked well in theatres, giving the story a textured setting even when the writing dips.
The Second Half Remains The Film’s Toughest Stretch
The most repeated complaint remains unchanged. According to Deccan Herald, the film “goes off track,” and other reviewers echoed the same concern. The second half slows down, spreads out, and sometimes pushes the emotional beats beyond what the story deserves.
Viewers who were invested early on seem to feel the tonal shift quite sharply. Scenes last longer than they need to. The plot turns muddy. The dramatic pitch rises but the emotional clarity falls. This imbalance is shaping nearly every critical conversation today.
The Weekend Will Decide Its Long-Term Fate
As things stand tonight, Tere Ishk Mein has momentum on one front and friction on another. The opening numbers show clear interest. The online discussions show clear division. The next two days will decide whether the film steadies itself through loyal fans and strong word of mouth, or whether the second half’s criticism travels faster than its praise.
For now, it sits as a film that gets people talking, arguing, praising, complaining, and sometimes walking out. Imperfect, charged, and impossible to ignore. That alone may keep seats filled a little longer.
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- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/author/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/author/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/author/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/author/ayesha/
