Dhanush calls working with Aanand L Rai a ‘home turf’ experience at Tere Ishk Mein at Trailer launch

South superstar Dhanush on Friday said that teaming up once again with filmmaker Aanand L Rai feels like returning to his “home turf”, a creative space where he is consistently offered meaningful and challenging roles that he thoroughly enjoys. The actor was speaking at the trailer launch of Tere Ishk Mein, his upcoming romantic drama with Kriti Sanon.

The film marks Dhanush’s third collaboration with Rai after Raanjhanaa (2013) and Atrangi Re (2021). Set against the backdrop of a turbulent love story, the movie follows the intense relationship between Shankar (Dhanush) and Mukti (Kriti Sanon), shaped by passion, pain and an unyielding pull of desire.

“Working with Aanand and Himanshu is like going back to your home turf and playing on your comfortable pitch with the easiest bowler on the opposite side,” Dhanush said at the film’s trailer launch. “They give me beautiful roles and strong challenges. Whenever I return to do one of these complicated love stories, I genuinely enjoy the experience.”

The National Award–winning actor added that his Hindi film choices differ highly from his South Indian projects. “Usually, the films I do in the South are very different from what Aanand makes me do here. So I make use of the opportunity and try my level best, because when it's Aanand, I have to give something better than my best,” he said.

Dhanush also distanced himself from his on-screen persona in the film. “I am nothing like Shankar,” he further remarked that love is “overrated”. “I think it is just another overrated emotion,” he said.

Speaking about working with Kriti Sanon for the first time, Dhanush praised her commitment to the craft. “It’s a beautiful love story, and we feel we’ve made a beautiful film. I had such a talented, focused co-star. Creating Shankar and Mukti together was a beautiful experience,” he said.

Meanwhile. Sanon commended Dhanush’s artistry and collaborative spirit. “I’ve always admired his talent. Seeing it firsthand during scenes was magical. I think Mukti came alive because of Shankar, and because of you,,” she said.

Produced by Aanand L Rai, Bhushan Kumar, Himanshu Sharma and Krishan Kumar, Tere Ishk Mein is written by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, with music by A.R. Rahman. The film is set for a worldwide release in Hindi and Tamil on November 28.