Promising premise marred by cliched storytelling

Tere Ishq Mein is marked with far too many tropes that are an integral part of films themed on toxic romanticism. While Shankar heads over heels in love with Mukti and becomes her guinea pig for psychology experiment, he cannot fathom the fact that she does not love him. He exudes machoism when in aggression, however, all this goes for a toss when his anger yields no thrilling outcome.

Abrupt and convenient climax

All in all, the storytelling often feels scattered and while the filmmaker tries to add in a lot of emotional depth, they don’t really tug at the heartstrings

Confused characterisation

For the most part, there’s no explanation to what has made Shankar an obsessive, jilted lover with a borderline personality disorder. And the bigger question here is – what made Mukti take a 180 degree turn and fall for him suddenly one fine morning?

Uneven pacing

Aanand L Rai’s direction shines in moments—especially the emotional and visual beats. But the pacing is wildly inconsistent.

At 2 hours 49 minutes, Tere Ishq Mein has too many things going on. It’s themed on toxic lovers, unreciprocated love, physical and emotional abuse, self-harm, alcoholism, temperamental issues, rich-poor divide, death and grief.

The first half manages humour, drama, and action, but the second half spirals into rushed transitions and inconsistent tonal shifts.

Illogical scenes that undermine emotional impact

For a psychologist with a PhD, Mukti is oddly manipulative and unable to handle Shankar’s intense emotions, despite repeatedly insisting she knows exactly how to deal with him. She is appointed to counsel a grounded officer, when she herself is ill, battling alcoholism and depression.

A disillusioned and aggressive lover casually walking into an IAS and Joint Secretary’s home with petrol bombs and what relatives assume is acid simply doesn’t add up. There is also a random sequence featuring a pandit (Zeeshan Ayub Mohammad) punning on Lord Shiva and “mukti”, which appears completely out of place and without context.

A love triangle and Mukti’s alcohol addiction in the second half further add to the convoluted plot. At one pointm she is begging Shankar to stay alive to take care of her child with another man. Why? When the narrative was building up, it wasn't even clear whose child it is as she had broken the alliance.

Forgettable music

AR Rahman’s music too lacks the Raanjhanaa magic. The title track, which has got the maximum appreciation, is not completely played in the film. Rest of the songs are also forgettable.

Clash with Gustaakh Ishq

For the unversed, Tere Ishk Mein clashed with Gustaakh Ishq at the box office. The latter starring Fatima Sana Shaikh and Vijay Varma is winning hearts with endearing storyline. Which one races ahead at the box office? Only time will tell