Kriti Sanon and Dhanush’s recent Netflix release, Tere Ishk Mein, has become a hot topic on social media, not just for its storyline but for a particular scene that has left research scholars across India questioning the film’s portrayal of academia.
The scene in question features Kriti Sanon’s character, Mukti Beniwal, a psychology research scholar at Delhi University, claiming to have submitted a 2,200-page thesis. This detail has prompted widespread mockery and critique from viewers, especially research students, who argue that such an academic feat is highly unrealistic.
Since the film’s streaming debut earlier this month, social media users have flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) with memes, jokes, and comments emphasizing the implausibility of the scene. One user sarcastically remarked, “I would genuinely like to meet this PhD student who writes a 2200-page thesis! I know movies take cinematic liberty, but LMAO dude, at least try to sound a bit realistic!! #AcademicChatter.”
Others shared their own research experiences, with one writing, “Almost everything said and done in this film in the name of a PhD is a joke. I laughed out loud… I was immensely passionate about my research topic, but writing the thesis was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I wrote every day for four years to produce a 385-page thesis. 2,200 pages? That’s just so unbelievably ridiculous.”
A researcher added, “As a PhD student, I will never get over this,” while another commented, “Man, even in science, we know a thesis of 2200 pages would be outright rejected by your guide for being too long. Even the idea of a student moving to defense with such a thesis is ludicrous.”
Some social media users took a humorous dig at the film’s plot as a whole, with one stating, “If you think a 2200-page thesis is unbelievable, wait till you see the part where an UPSC aspirant becomes a pilot, and the hero dies saving someone’s child.”
About the Film
Directed by Aanand L Rai, Tere Ishk Mein features Dhanush and Kriti Sanon in lead roles and was released in theatres in November 2025 to mixed reviews. The romantic drama, penned by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, is produced by Aanand Rai’s Colour Yellow Productions and T-Series Films. Marketed as a spiritual sequel to their 2013 hit Raanjhanaa, the film boasts music composed by AR Rahman and has grossed over ₹161 crore at the box office.
However, the film has also faced legal issues. Aanand L Rai is named in a ₹84 crore intellectual property lawsuit filed by Eros International Media Ltd., alleging violations related to Raanjhanaa.
As Tere Ishk Mein continues to generate buzz for its storyline and now, its academic inaccuracies, viewers remain divided—some amused, others incredulous—about the film’s representation of scholarly life.