Tere Ishq Mein crosses ₹50 crore: Dhanush–Kriti’s film races ahead in opening weekend

Aanand L Rai’s Tere Ishq Mein entered cinemas on Friday and climbed fast. I report how the film built its box-office run, why audiences responded strongly, and what the early trend says about its performance.

To start with, the film opened to solid footfalls in both Hindi and Tamil markets. The weekend brought steady momentum as viewers filled theatres through all three days. Trade trackers noted this rise and confirmed that the film collected ₹51.75 crore by Sunday night. The Sunday number alone touched ₹18.75 crore, which pushed the film comfortably past the ₹50-crore mark. The numbers show clear audience interest across regions.

Moreover, theatres recorded a sharp rise in occupancy. The Hindi version reached more than 32% overall occupancy on Sunday, with evening shows touching above 45%. Tamil screenings also drew crowds, especially in the afternoon slots, which crossed 24%. These numbers helped the film outperform its direct competitor Gustaakh Ishq, which released on the same day. The film also raced ahead of earlier releases like 120 Bahadur and Mastiii 4, which continue to lag behind.

At the same time, the film’s narrative played a big role in drawing Tier-2 and Tier-3 audience groups. Tere Ishq Mein follows Mukti and Shankar, played by Kriti Sanon and Dhanush. Mukti falls for Shankar, who fights a system that often crushes people who resist it. Their separation drives the emotional weight of the story and frames the film’s intense dramatic arc. Viewers responded strongly to the chemistry between the leads and the raw emotional tone.

However, critics raised concerns. Many reviewers pointed out that the film leans on themes that remind audiences of earlier “toxic love” stories. They argued that such portrayals feel outdated in 2025. Still, they agreed that Dhanush and Kriti deliver powerful performances, which kept the story engaging despite its flaws.

Furthermore, the film benefits from its wide bilingual release. Rai targeted two markets that often respond well to intense romantic dramas. As a result, the film drew a mixed but large viewer base. Industry observers believe this early surge places the film among the stronger openers of the season.

Looking ahead, the weekday numbers will decide whether the film maintains its pace. Strong word-of-mouth in semi-urban centres may help the film stay stable. On the other hand, urban centres could see sharper drops due to mixed critical reactions. Still, the first weekend gives the team a strong foundation.

In conclusion, Tere Ishq Mein opened big, drew consistent footfalls, and crossed ₹50 crore within its first weekend. The film moved ahead of its competitors, built momentum across regions, and stirred conversations—both for its performances and for its themes. With this start, the film enters its first week with clear visibility in the current box-office landscape.