Tere Ishk Mein Roars Past ₹60 Crore; Monday Trend Sets up Crucial Week Ahead

Dhanush and Kriti Sanon’s intense romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein has raced past the Rs 60-crore mark in its opening four days, cementing its status as one of the strongest Hindi releases of the final quarter of 2025. Directed by Anand L. Rai, the film opened on Friday with Rs 16 crore net and rode strong word-of-mouth to collect Rs 17 crore on Saturday and a weekend high of Rs 18.75 crore on Sunday. Monday witnessed the expected weekday drop but still managed a respectable Rs 8.25 crore, taking the total to Rs 60.25 crore, as per early estimates from Sacnilk. The numbers reflect robust performance in urban multiplexes as well as surprising traction in mass belts, a rarity for a non-action, dialogue-heavy love story.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh, who had predicted a double-digit opening to NDTV before release, hailed the weekend as a “half-century” triumph. He noted that the film has already won half the battle with its powerful start and will now face the real test during the crucial Monday-to-Thursday phase. The bigger challenge looms from Friday, when the big-budget action spectacle Dhurandhar arrives, likely eating into screens and showtimes. Adarsh emphasised that the second weekend hold will be decisive for Tere Ishk Mein to push toward the coveted Rs 100-crore club.

Critics have been divided: while A.R. Rahman’s soundtrack has been universally praised as a standout, the film’s lengthy runtime and melodramatic stretches drew mixed reviews. NDTV’s Saibal Chatterjee observed that Dhanush and Kriti Sanon deliver intense performances as Shankar and Mukti, but the bloated narrative often undermines their efforts. Despite the criticism, audiences have embraced the toxic-love-to-redemption arc, with the Varanasi backdrop and Rahman’s soulful tracks driving repeat value, especially among younger couples and front-benchers alike.

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This marks Dhanush’s third successful collaboration with Anand L. Rai after the blockbuster Raanjhanaa (2013) and the experimental Atrangi Re (2021). The Tamil superstar’s flawless Hindi diction and raw emotional range continue to win over pan-India audiences, while Kriti Sanon has earned praise for holding her own in emotionally heavy scenes opposite him. Advance bookings for the second weekend remain steady in major chains, indicating sustained interest despite the impending competition.

With lucrative satellite and streaming deals already locked, the makers are reportedly in profit even before the second week begins. Industry insiders suggest that if the film manages to retain 50-60 per cent of screens post-Dhurandhar’s release and adds another Rs 30-35 crore in week two, a lifetime total in the Rs 110-120 crore range is achievable. That would make Tere Ishk Mein the highest-grossing pure romantic drama of the year, beating earlier releases in the genre.

As the box-office race intensifies, all eyes are now on how gracefully Tere Ishk Mein navigates the stormy arrival of Dhurandhar. For now, Dhanush and Rai have once again proven that when music, emotion, and star chemistry align, even a risky, unconventional love story can conquer the marquee in an era dominated by high-octane action spectacles.

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