Tere Ishq Mein Is from Raanjhanaa World, Says Aanand L Rai: 'Dhanush Would Handle It...' | Exclusive

As per reports, Aanand L Rai’s next directorial venture, Tere Ishq Mein, is set to go on floors in October. While he hasn’t disclosed the female lead, names like Triptii Dimri and Kriti Sanon are circulating. The film marks Dhanush’s next Hindi outing after Atrangi Re, which was also directed by Aanand. Interestingly, the Tamil star made his Bollywood debut with Aanand’s Raanjhanaa, which won him immense acclaim.

In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, the filmmaker reveals details about Tere Ishq Mein and how he plans to revisit the sensibility of Raanjhanaa. “In 2011, after Tanu Weds Manu, I was curious to see how a person like me would handle tragedy. When Himanshu (Sharma, the writer) brought the world of Raanjhanaa to me, I was eager to explore a story centered on love and tragedy," he says.

Aanand adds, “Tanu Weds Manu was all about fun and games within my middle-class world. Raanjhanaa was a step forward. Twelve years later, this 53-year-old man is keen to see his growth in the tragedy genre. It’s a different story now. Whether it’s more mature or not is up to the audience and reviewers to decide. I’m excited to dive back into that world and explore relationships from a different perspective."

Drawing similarities between Raanjhanaa and Tere Ishq Mein, which he believes belong to the same universe, Aanand states, “The rage, aggression, and passionate love present in Raanjhanaa are also evident in Tere Ishq Mein. That’s why I feel Tere Ishq Mein is from the world of Raanjhanaa."

When asked if Dhanush feared repeating himself after reading the script, Aanand responds, “After many years of working together, I know Dhanush has matured. He was a brilliant actor then, and he’s even better now, as an actor, writer, and director. He’s more assured of himself. Even if he were to tackle a similar story, he’d approach it differently."

Praising the actor further, Aanand adds, “I can say positively that this is the confidence of a great actor. Even if given the same script, he would handle it differently. Whether his performance might seem repetitive is my concern as a filmmaker. I know I’m not repeating myself."

Aanand acknowledges the challenges ahead. “This time, I’ll be speaking to Gen-Z and presenting a love story that resonates with them. I’m making Tere Ishq Mein for myself, with a new story, a fresh approach, and a novel way of storytelling," he concludes.