'Not An Alpha Male Film': Aanand L Rai Reacts To Dhanush's Tere Ishk Mein–Animal Comparisons

As the release of Tere Ishk Mein, starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, inches closer, director Aanand L Rai is finally addressing the chatter surrounding the film. Ever since the trailer dropped, social media has been buzzing with comparisons to other toxic love stories and rage-fuelled male protagonists. Now, the filmmaker is pushing back, making it clear that his film is being misunderstood.

The Comparisons: Rage, Violence, and the ‘Alpha Male’ Label

The trailer features Dhanush in a ferocious avatar — storming into a wedding, overturning tables, and threatening to unleash chaos. The visuals sparked instant parallels with films like Animal and Kabir Singh, leading many to believe Tere Ishk Mein falls into the same genre of “angry, obsessive men

in love.”

But Aanand L Rai disagrees.

“It doesn’t belong in the same space. There are similarities in how the characters have aggression and rage. But those are just the ingredients and not the story,” he told The Hindu, insisting the film is being unfairly boxed into a template.

The “alpha male” label, in particular, is something he strongly rejects.

“A story is never conceived thinking of your character as an alpha. For me, the character is emotional and sensitive, and nothing that he does is wrong,” he explained.

“Nothing That He Does Is Wrong”: The Director’s Reading of Dhanush’s Character

Aanand L Rai emphasises that Tere Ishk Mein is driven not by machismo, but by vulnerability and emotional turmoil. He believes audiences are misreading the protagonist by equating rage with toxicity — when, in his intent, the character is rooted in sincerity.

He also notes that while anger and chaos appear in the film, they are merely narrative textures, not the soul of the story.

A Bond Beyond Cinema: Aanand L Rai and Dhanush’s Evolving Relationship

The film marks another collaboration in the longstanding creative partnership between Dhanush, Aanand L Rai, and AR Rahman — a trio that previously delivered Raanjhanaa and Atrangi Re.

Reflecting on how his bond with Dhanush has deepened over time, the director said:

“When we first worked together, Dhanush was no more than an actor. Over the years, I can say, now I have a son.”

He described the relationship as one that transcends filmmaking:

“We are selfish people who are together for some reason. If you discover a relationship that goes beyond just working in films, it is magical. My profession has given me something very personal.”

The Bigger Picture: Craft, Collaboration, and Rahman’s Music

Backed by T-Series and Colour Yellow, and featuring a soundtrack by AR Rahman, Tere Ishk Mein is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated dramas. The film will release on November 28 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

With criticisms being addressed head-on, Aanand L Rai seems unfazed — confident that audiences will understand the film’s emotional core beyond the loudest assumptions.