Dhanush is always my first choice, whenever there’s a layered story, I run straight to Chennai and hold his hand: Aanand Rai opens up ahead of WTP of Tere Ishk Mein also starring Kriti Sanon
Acclaimed filmmaker Aanand L. Rai is set to revisit the world of sweeping, all-consuming romance with Tere Ishk Mein—a film he describes as a deeply personal journey into love, longing, and emotional chaos.
Starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon as Shankar and Mukti, the story explores layered emotions and philosophical undertones, brought to life through Rai’s signature storytelling. Ahead of the premiere on 27th March at 8pm on Sony MAX, Aanand opens up about his creative process, his enduring collaborations, and the passion that continues to drive his cinema. Extracts:
1. As a filmmaker, what made Tere Ishk Mein a story you felt compelled to tell?
As a director, the most important question I ask myself before making a film is: do I have a reason to tell this story? If I don’t enjoy narrating it, how will the audience enjoy watching it? Tere Ishk Mein was truly exciting for me—the idea of delving into the depths of love was the call. I wanted to tell that story.
2. After exploring different narratives over the years, what made you return to the space of an intense, passionate love story?
For a filmmaker, it is essential to keep moving forward. With every new story, you draw upon the lessons learned from your previous films. 'Tere Ishq Mein' is distinct from the film 'Raanjhanaa,' yet in some respects, it helped me reconnect with something I had been longing to rediscover after films like 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns,' 'Atrangi Re,' 'Zero,' and 'Raksha Bandhan.' I wanted to return to that deep, passionate love story that lay at the very heart of 'Raanjhanaa.'
3. Can you tell us about the significance behind Shankar and Mukti?
Shankar and Mukti are not just names—they represent entire universes. Shankar, for me, is everything—the cosmos itself. Mukti is salvation, something incredibly difficult to attain. It may sound philosophical or spiritual, but their journeys unfold in line with their names. By the end of the film, they find meaning.
4. Did you find anything particularly challenging while shooting the film?
Honestly, nothing felt challenging. I experience childlike joy on set. I don’t think about how it will end—I think about how much fun it will be to edit a scene later. One moment I particularly love is when Mukti enters Shankar’s home for the first time. That scene reflects India’s class conflict. It’s not just part of my film—it’s something many people can relate to.
5. What made Dhanush and Kriti Sanon the right choices to play Shankar and Mukti?
Dhanush is always my first choice. Whenever there’s a layered story, I go straight to Chennai and hold his hand. There was no confusion—this was a tough film, and no one could play Shankar better. As for Kriti, I always sensed her hunger for a serious love story. The timing was perfect. After meeting her, I felt she was at the right juncture in life to play Mukti—she could bring immense depth to the character.
6. You’ve worked with Dhanush for many years. How has your creative partnership evolved?
It’s been a long journey—over a decade. With time, an actor and director come to understand each other deeply—their strengths and weaknesses. Dhanush and I know each other well, and we truly enjoy being on set together. This is my third film with him, and I feel I don’t need to direct him much anymore. He knows what I want, and I know what he will deliver. Yet we keep searching for surprises—that’s the fun. After every shot, he asks, “How was it?” I say, “Brilliant, as usual.” But he insists on going beyond “usual.” He was always a brilliant actor, but now he’s a giant—capable of pulling off anything.
7. You’ve had a long creative partnership with Himanshu Sharma. How would you describe that journey?
My journey with Himanshu has been long and fulfilling. Writing a film requires immense effort and talent, but because we enjoy the process, it never feels like work. There’s complete comfort working with him and writer Neeraj Yadav. Sometimes they respectfully disagree with me, and that’s what makes our collaboration so strong. That trust allowed us to pull off a complex film with layered characters like Tere Ishk Mein.
8. Music plays a huge role in your films. How was your collaboration with A. R. Rahman on this one?
With Rahman sir, you don’t give a brief—you give your life. You invite him to live your story with you. Without Rahman sir and lyricist Irshad Kamil, I couldn’t have completed this film. They are not just music and lyrics—they are storytellers. I consider them co-directors of my story because they help me tell it.
9. Your films often carry emotional chaos. Is that intentional?
Yes, I love emotional chaos. I don’t enjoy simple, clean exchanges between two people. I want turmoil within them and around them—internal and external. That’s where real drama lies.