The thesis that shocked the academy

The talk focuses on a moment in which Kriti Sanon’s character, Mukti Beniwal, a psychology researcher at a Delhi University College, mentions the presentation of a 2,200-page doctoral thesis. This scene has triggered collective academic disbelief.

Real-world PhD scholars, who typically celebrate reaching the 300-page mark after years of blood, sweat and caffeine, were quick to inundate X with comments.

One user wrote: “Almost everything said and done in this movie in the name of a PhD is a joke. I laughed out loud… I was immensely passionate about my research topic, I loved and enjoyed the entire research process, but writing the thesis was still very difficult, one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. I wrote every day, every day for four years, to produce my 385-page PhD thesis. 2,200 pages is incredibly ridiculous.”

Almost everything said and done in this film in the name of a PhD is a joke. I laughed out loud in the movie theater. I was immensely passionate about my research topic, I loved and enjoyed the entire research process, but writing the thesis was still very difficult, one of the… https://t.co/G2BYxq4bKi

– Sureshkumar P. Sekar (@ursmusically) January 25, 2026

Another user summed it up perfectly: “That’s not a thesis, it’s a complete operating system.”

Another added: “I’d really like to meet this PhD student who writes a 2200 page thesis! I know movies require cinematic freedom, but LMAO dude, at least try to sound a little realistic! #AcademicChatter.”

I would really like to meet this PhD student who writes a 2200 page thesis! 😵‍💫😵‍💫

I know movies require cinematic freedom, but dude LMAO at least try to sound a little realistic! 😭😂#AcademicTalk pic.twitter.com/KEMsCyslVE

-Dr. Shubham Misra शुभम मिश्रा🧠⚛️🇮🇳🇺🇸 (@Shubham_Neuro) January 27, 2026

One viewer wrote: “I watched this movie recently because I normally enjoy L. Rai’s messy characters, but my goodness, the research was hard to follow. Some consultation from a PhD student or professor during script writing would have saved that fiasco.”

And just when it seemed like things couldn’t get any more brutal, another user confessed: “Same thing, this permanently rewired my academic brain; no amount of peer review can undo it.”

Another viewer took the comparison a step further and suggested that Mukti’s fictional investigation might actually be the more palatable option. “This movie was a cringe-fest. I would rather have enjoyed reading those 2,200 pages,” he wrote.

This movie was a cringe fest. I would rather have enjoyed reading those 2200 pages.

– TheLiverDoc™ (@theliverdoc) January 27, 2026

And that’s just one scene

The thesis scene is just one of the many reasons why Tere Ishk Mein has become an object of ridicule. From character motivations to plot decisions, viewers seem united in their confusion.

Kriti Sanon’s character

Kriti Sanon’s character, in particular, did not escape scrutiny. One user wrote: “half an hour after watching tere ishk mein. This movie proves why psychology students need more therapy.”

Half an hour after watching tere ishk mein. This movie shows why psychology students need more therapy. pic.twitter.com/QOlloNQCvG

-s (@lostinsfictionn) January 24, 2026

Those who survived the theatrical experience are hailed as emotionally invincible. As one user wrote: “People who watched Tere Ishk Mein in the theater can endure anything in life.”

The “sober” question

Some are convinced that the writing process of Tere Ishk Mein involved heavy substances. One wrote: “I refuse to believe that a completely sober team made Tere Ishk Mein. There is no other explanation. Almost three hours of pure suffering. Bollywood, can we go back to the days of heartfelt romances please?”

I refuse to believe that a completely sober team formed Tere Ishk Mein. There is no other explanation. Almost 3 hours of pure suffering. Bollywood, can we go back to the days of heartfelt romances please?

— Shweta 🩷 (@apalebluedot_) January 26, 2026

Is it art or a money laundering scheme?

One viewer even went so far as to ask, “Why did someone do this? Surely this is a money laundering scheme. I can’t believe I have free will and am subjecting myself to this garbage. Don’t watch tere ishq mein no matter what I’m begging you.”

Criticism also extended to the dialogues, with one viewer noting, “God, tere ishk mein is soooo insufferable and what was that Hindi dhanush accent? The embarrassing dialogues made me look away from the screen every 2 minutes, ughhh wasted time.”

Then read – Tere Ishk Mein: Aanand L Rai’s woman-hating film gives no grace to Kriti Sanon, but allows ‘hero’ Dhanush to burn someone alive

Even fans who appreciated the actors couldn’t defend the story: “I watched a lot of bad movies last year, tere ishk mein remains at number 1, I don’t hate dhanush and kriti, they both gave good performances but horrible story, the characters are the worst! I didn’t expect this to be so bad.”

A plot explained in 30 seconds

Various creators have condensed the entire story into 40-second reels. Watch one of those summaries and it’ll be hard to disagree.

Tere Ishk Mein

Directed by Aanand L Rai, Tere Ishk Mein stars Dhanush and Kriti Sanon in the lead roles and was released in theaters in November 2025. The film, written by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, had mixed reviews and grossed over Rs 161 crore at the box office. It was produced by Aanand L Rai, Himanshu Sharma, Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under Color Yellow Productions and T-Series Films. Marketed as a spiritual sequel to Aanand and Dhanush’s 2013 hit Raanjhanaa, the film featured music by AR Rahman.