Hindi Film Soundtrack Review: Tere Ishk Mein

Rating – 9
Music Director – A.R. Rahman
Lyrics – Irshad Kamil, Dhanush
Film Director – Aanand L. Rai
Film Release – 28 November 2025

The Tere Ishk Mein (2025) soundtrack serves as a profound musical journey through the themes of unfulfilled desire and obsessive love. Composed by the legendary A. R. Rahman with poignant lyrics by Irshad Kamil, the album marks the third collaboration between the duo and director Aanand L. Rai, following their previous hits Raanjhanaa and Atrangi Re. The 9-track album features a stellar lineup of vocalists, including Arijit Singh, Shilpa Rao, Shankar Mahadevan, and Jonita Gandhi, with even lead actor Dhanush lending his voice to the track “Chinnaware”. The soundtrack has been praised for its complex, hauntingly beautiful arrangements—ranging from the soul-stirring title track “Tere Ishk Mein” to the Middle Eastern-inspired “Aawaara Angaara”—effectively grounding the film’s intense romantic tragedy.

Song TitleSingersMusic DirectorLyricistRating
Tere Ishk MeinArijit SinghA.R. RahmanIrshad Kamil9
Usey KehnaNitesh Aher, Jonita GandhiA.R. RahmanIrshad Kamil10
Aawaara AngaaraFaheem AbdullahA.R. RahmanIrshad Kamil10
Deewaana DeewaanaA.R. RahmanA.R. RahmanIrshad Kamil9
Tere Zikr MeinShilpa RaoA.R. RahmanIrshad Kamil9
Jigar ThandaDarshan RavalA.R. RahmanIrshad Kamil8
Ladki JaisiSukhwinder SinghA.R. RahmanIrshad Kamil7
ChinnawareShankar MahadevanA.R. RahmanDhanush8
Jigar Thanda (Female)Shilpa Rao, Amina Rafiq, Adithya RKA.R. RahmanIrshad Kamil8

The title track “Tere Ishk Mein” is a hauntingly intense anthem that captures the raw agony of unrequited love and the descent into obsession. Composed by A. R. Rahman, the song features a sophisticated arrangement centered around piano and violin that builds into an edgy, rock-influenced crescendo. Arijit Singh provides the evocative lead vocals, delivering a performance marked by “stunning rage” and soul-stirring depth. Accompanied by Irshad Kamil’s piercing lyrics, which explore the transformation of a lover into someone unrecognizable, the song serves as the emotional anchor for the film’s tragic narrative. Visually, the track’s music video highlights Dhanush’s portrayal of a man consumed by heartbreak alongside Kriti Sanon’s defiant vulnerability.

“Usey Kehna” is a soul-stirring piano-led ballad that captures the “unspoken emotions” and raw vulnerability at the heart of Tere Ishk Mein. Composed by A. R. Rahman, the track was inspired by his travels in Himachal Pradesh and the serene reflection of mountains in the Ganges. It features a minimalist arrangement of piano and strings, providing a spacious backdrop for the hauntingly beautiful vocals of Jonita Gandhi and newcomer Nitesh Aher. With poignant lyrics by Irshad Kamil, the song serves as a “heartache anthem,” portraying the evolving but tragic bond between characters Shankar (Dhanush) and Mukti (Kriti Sanon).

“Aawaara Angaara” is a haunting heartbreak anthem that captures the intense pain of longing and unrequited love in Tere Ishk Mein. Composed by A. R. Rahman, the track features a minimalist but powerful soundscape characterized by its “plaintive sadness” and atmospheric use of the duduk, a traditional woodwind instrument. 

The song serves as a major breakthrough for singer Faheem Abdullah, whose “soulful and raw” vocals are paired with evocative, poetic lyrics by Irshad Kamil. Visually, the music video depicts the tense emotional reunion between characters Shankar (Dhanush), seen in Air Force attire, and Mukti (Kriti Sanon).

“Deewaana Deewaana” is an intense romantic track that captures themes of madness, obsession, and total surrender in love. Composed and sung by A. R. Rahman, the song is characterized by its soulful melody and a distinct Sufi touch, featuring prominent use of the harmonium.

With evocative lyrics by Irshad Kamil, the track functions as a dramatic monologue within the film Tere Ishk Mein, reflecting the silence and inner turmoil that follow an emotional storm. Critics have described it as a “slow poison” track, praising its spiritual depth and ability to portray the character Shankar’s (Dhanush) self-destructive passion.

“Tere Zikr Mein” is a meditative and fragile ballad from the 2025 film Tere Ishk Mein. Composed by A. R. Rahman, the track features the haunting, soulful vocals of Shilpa Rao, who has described the song as a “dagger through the soul”.

Lyrically, Irshad Kamil explores a paradox of presence through absence, using metaphors of a “thirst” for a lover’s name that can only be quenched by memory. The arrangement is noted for its minimalist, prayer-like quality, where silence and melody blend to capture the “desolate landscape” of spiritual homelessness and unfulfilled devotion. Visually, the music video showcases the intense emotional depth and “untold stories” between the lead characters, Shankar (Dhanush) and Mukti (Kriti Sanon).

“Jigar Thanda” is a vibrant and playful departure from the overall somber tone of the Tere Ishk Mein soundtrack. Composed by A. R. Rahman, the song marks his first collaboration with popular singer Darshan Raval, whose energetic vocals drive the primary version. The title refers to a popular cold beverage in Tamil Nadu, and the track is designed to reflect the “fun, playful vibe” of a character falling head-over-heels in love. With clever, rhythmic lyrics by Irshad Kamil, “Jigar Thanda” balances the film’s intense romantic tragedy with a moment of lighthearted musical charm.

“Chinnaware” is a high-energy, upbeat track that stands out as a unique Tamil-language song within the otherwise Hindi-language album. Composed by A. R. Rahman, the song is an unexpected highlight that infuses the soundtrack with remarkable energy and a “fun, upbeat lane”.

The song is anchored by the vigorous and dynamic vocals of Shankar Mahadevan, whose “characteristic vigor” significantly elevates the composition. Interestingly, the lyrics for this track were penned by the film’s lead actor, Dhanush, who also famously performed a viral on-stage jam of the song with Rahman during promotional events. Musically, “Chinnaware” features a rich arrangement with rhythm production by Kalyan Chakravarthy, solo violin by Rangapriya, and the soulful addition of the shehnai by Pandit Dr. S. Ballesh Bhajantri.

The “Jigar Thanda (Female)” version is widely considered the standout track of the Tere Ishk Mein album, offering a sophisticated and “jazzy twist” to the film’s playful romantic theme. Composed by A. R. Rahman and written by Irshad Kamil, this rendition transforms the breezy original into an “addictive elegance” with an arrangement reminiscent of a selective, speakeasy jazz bar. 

Shilpa Rao delivers a monumental vocal performance, supported by Amina Rafiq and Adithya RK, perfectly syncing with the track’s orchestral and brass elements. Critics have praised it for having a “dimension of its own” compared to the male version, noting that Rao’s soulful delivery makes it a “must-listen experience”. In the film, the song underscores a pivotal sequence where characters Shankar (Dhanush) and Mukti (Kriti Sanon) ride a scooter, marking the moment Mukti realizes her growing feelings for him.

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