‘Tere Ishk Mein’ Roars: Dhanush-Kriti Sanon Film Opens at ₹16.5 Cr

New Delhi, November 29, 2025: The much-anticipated romantic drama, ‘Tere Ishk Mein,’ starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, has made a resounding entry at the box office, collecting an impressive ₹16.5 crore net in India on its opening day, Friday, November 28. This strong start signals a promising journey ahead for the film, which marks the return of the successful pairing of director Aanand L. Rai and actor Dhanush, a collaboration previously celebrated for the iconic movie Raanjhanaa.

A Promising Weekend Ahead

The opening figure of ₹16.5 crore is considered a highly positive start, placing ‘Tere Ishk Mein’ among the top Hindi romantic film openings of the year. This performance has set the stage for a lucrative first weekend, with trade analysts expecting the film to see a significant jump in collections on Saturday and Sunday, especially given the positive buzz around the lead performances and the film’s intense emotional content.

The movie, which is set against the spiritual backdrop of Banaras and delves into themes of passionate love, obsession, and vengeance, recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 25.77% on its first day. The audience turnout saw a steady increase throughout Friday, peaking significantly in the late shows:

• Morning Shows: 15.29%
• Night Shows: 41.56%

This night-show surge is often a strong indicator of positive word-of-mouth translating into higher ticket sales, a crucial factor for the film’s sustained success. The film also saw a limited release in Tamil, recording a decent average occupancy of 20.84%.

Dhanush’s Biggest Hindi Opener

The Day 1 haul makes ‘Tere Ishk Mein’ Dhanush’s biggest opener in his Bollywood career, surpassing his previous hits. For the Tamil superstar, who has a busy 2025 with multiple releases, this commercial success in the Hindi market further solidifies his growing pan-India appeal.

The film has also captured the attention of audiences and critics, with a range of reviews praising the lead actors’ commitment to their complex characters. Dhanush, as Shankar, an emotionally charged and intense lover, has been universally lauded for his raw and powerful performance. Kriti Sanon, portraying Mukti, an ambitious but troubled psychologist, has also been appreciated for matching Dhanush’s intensity.

The Power of the Aanand L. Rai Universe

The reunion of Dhanush and director Aanand L. Rai, coupled with the musical genius of A.R. Rahman, was a major selling point for the film. Marketed as a spiritual successor to Raanjhanaa, the new movie brings back the director’s signature style of emotionally rich, flawed, and often tragic love stories. The A.R. Rahman soundtrack and background score have also been highlighted as a major strength, elevating the dramatic sequences.

Despite some mixed reactions regarding the film’s extended runtime and complex plot, the emotional intensity and the star power of the cast have clearly resonated with the audience, making ‘Tere Ishk Mein’ a strong contender at the box office. With a full weekend ahead, all eyes are now on how well the film capitalizes on its solid foundation and if it can cross the ₹50 crore mark in its opening three days.