Once Written Off as a Box Office Misfire, This 2025 Release Finds New Life at the Top of OTT Charts
Once Written Off as a Box Office Misfire, This 2025 Release Finds New Life at the Top of OTT Charts
What was once written off as one of the most disappointing releases of 2025 has unexpectedly found a second life online. A film that struggled to live up to expectations during its theatrical run is now dominating conversations after landing on OTT, proving once again that audience reception can dramatically change beyond cinema halls.
The film in question is Tere Ishq Mein, a musical romantic drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 47 minutes. Directed by Aanand L. Rai, the filmmaker behind the 2013 cult hit Raanjhanaa, the movie was released in theatres on November 28, 2025. Despite high anticipation, the film failed to make the desired impact on the big screen at the time of its release.
Tere Ishq Mein stars Dhanush and Kriti Sanon in the lead roles, supported by a strong ensemble cast that includes Prakash Raj, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Sushil Dahiya, and Mahir Mohiuddin. Set against the vibrant yet emotionally intense backdrop of Banaras, the film is a romantic drama with action elements woven into its narrative. Many viewers and critics have described it as a spiritual successor to Raanjhanaa because of its themes, emotional depth, and storytelling style.
At its core, the film revolves around the turbulent love story of Shankar and Mukti. Shankar is portrayed as an aggressive and troubled young man who falls in love with Mukti during his college days. Mukti, however, approaches their relationship from a different perspective—she is pursuing PhD research and believes Shankar can serve as proof that even a violent personality can be transformed through understanding and care. As their bond deepens, emotional complexities begin to surface. Eventually, Mukti chooses to walk away from the relationship and move forward with her life.
The story takes a turn when Shankar joins the Indian Air Force. Years later, fate brings their unresolved past back into focus, forcing both characters to confront emotions they never truly left behind. The narrative explores themes of heartbreak, emotional growth, inner conflict, and unconditional devotion, making it an intense and layered love story rather than a conventional romantic drama.
On the technical front, the film holds a respectable IMDb rating of 7.4. Made on an estimated budget of ₹85 crore, Tere Ishq Mein managed to earn ₹136.2 crore at the domestic box office, while its worldwide collection stood at ₹161.96 crore. Despite these numbers, the film was widely labeled a box office failure when compared to expectations and hype surrounding its release.
The story has taken a surprising turn after the film’s recent release on Netflix. Now streaming in both Hindi and Tamil, Tere Ishq Mein quickly climbed streaming charts and began trending across social media platforms almost immediately. Viewers who may have skipped the theatrical release are now discovering the film, sparking fresh discussions and renewed interest.
What makes this turnaround especially striking is the contrast between its theatrical reception and its digital success. A movie once dismissed as a major flop is now enjoying widespread attention and ranking at the top on OTT platforms. The film’s resurgence highlights how changing viewing habits and word-of-mouth can reshape a movie’s fate long after its initial release.
