Mumbai: The much-anticipated romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein, starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, has finally hit theatres, and early trends indicate a robust start at the Indian box office. Industry trackers estimate that the film will comfortably cross the ₹10 crore (net) mark on opening day, with chances of surpassing expectations due to its impressive advance booking performance.

Backed by director-composer AR Rahman’s music and a well-crafted trailer, the film successfully built momentum in the days leading up to its release. The buzz that began with the launch of the soundtrack only intensified as audiences responded positively, drawing parallels to earlier musical successes such as Saiyaara and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, where strong albums played a key role in bringing audiences to cinemas.

Advance booking boosts opening day prospects

As advance bookings opened, the film showed moderate movement in the first two days. However, the real surge came in the final 24 hours before release, when ticket sales spiked across major metros as well as tier-2 cities. According to early estimates, Tere Ishk Mein sold close to 2.41 lakh tickets for day 1 across India (excluding blocked seats).

Of these, more than 2.14 lakh tickets were sold for the original Hindi version, while the Tamil-dubbed version contributed over 26,500 tickets. This dual-language uptake indicates growing interest in Dhanush’s pan-India appeal, combined with strong traction for the fresh pairing of Dhanush and Kriti Sanon.

Trade sources suggest that the film’s advance bookings place it comfortably ahead of several recent mid-budget romantic dramas. Multiplex chains, including PVR INOX and Cinepolis, reported steady walk-in queries even during the weekday, adding to confidence that the film will register a solid first-day total.

Music drives pre-release buzz

The soundtrack of Tere Ishk Mein, composed by AR Rahman, has played a pivotal role in the film’s pre-release success. Tracks from the film, especially the title song, have been trending across music platforms and social media. The emotional heft and melodic composition helped the film reach audiences across age groups.

Music-driven buzz has historically helped romantic dramas achieve strong openings, and the same trend seems evident here. Industry experts note that in genres like romance, where theatrical performance is often driven by connection rather than scale, a strong album can significantly influence footfall.

Star power and chemistry create audience appeal

The combination of Dhanush’s intense screen presence and Kriti Sanon’s growing star power has shaped much of the hype surrounding the film. Early reviews from FDFS (first day, first show) audiences have praised the chemistry between the leads, calling it one of the film’s strongest aspects.

Dhanush, who already enjoys a strong fan base across southern states, appears to be expanding his reach in the Hindi belt. Kriti Sanon, fresh off multiple successful films, adds further commercial pull. Together, the duo has generated curiosity among both urban audiences and fans of romantic dramas.

Trade outlook and expected performance

With 2.41 lakh tickets sold in advance bookings, trade analysts are predicting a first-day net collection comfortably above ₹10 crore, with the possibility of touching ₹12 crore–₹13 crore if spot bookings maintain momentum through the evening and night shows.

Multiplex circuits are expected to contribute the lion’s share of the revenue, while single screens in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are expected to show steady occupancy through the weekend.

Given the strong advance booking trend, the film is well-positioned for a healthy opening weekend. If audience word-of-mouth remains positive, Tere Ishk Mein could emerge as one of the better-performing romantic dramas of the year, especially in the mid-budget category.

Conclusion

Tere Ishk Mein has kicked off its theatrical journey on a high note, driven by a powerful combination of strong music, popular lead actors, and rising excitement among moviegoers. With promising advance bookings and favourable early audience reactions, the film’s opening day collections are likely to exceed industry expectations. The coming weekend will determine whether it sustains momentum and secures a strong box-office trajectory.