Tere Ishq Mein's Unrealistic Thesis Scene Ignites Academic Firestorm
The romantic drama Tere Ishq Mein, featuring popular stars Kriti Sanon and Dhanush in lead roles, began streaming on OTT platforms on January 23, 2026. While the film was anticipated as a spiritual sequel to the acclaimed Raanjhanaa, it unexpectedly found itself at the center of a heated academic controversy that quickly spread across social media platforms.
PhD Scholars React Strongly to 2,200-Page Thesis Claim
The controversy centers around a specific scene where Kriti Sanon's character, Mukti Beniwal, claims to have submitted a massive 2,200-page PhD thesis. Mukti is portrayed as a psychology research scholar at Delhi University, but this particular detail triggered immediate disbelief among actual research students and academics across India.
Research scholars were quick to point out that most universities typically expect PhD theses to be significantly shorter, usually ranging between 300-500 pages depending on the discipline and institution. The 2,200-page claim struck many as absurd and disconnected from the realities of academic research.
One scholar expressed their frustration on social media, stating: "Almost everything said and done in this film in the name of a PhD is a joke. I wrote every day, every single day for four years, to produce my 385-page PhD thesis. 2,200 pages is just so unbelievably ridiculous."
Academic Community Questions Film's Research Portrayal
Beyond the page count controversy, scholars took issue with how the film portrayed the research process itself. In the storyline, Mukti's research involves studying Dhanush's character, Shankar Gurukkal, who exhibits behavioral issues. While this premise initially seemed intriguing, academics argued that the execution ignored fundamental research protocols and approval processes.
Another PhD student commented: "Man, as a PhD student, this part knocked me out. Even though I am in science, I could see how ludicrous it all was. Like, what was the research idea, and how did the committee even pass it so she moved to defense? Don't they know there are stages to approval?"
Many felt the film reduced years of rigorous academic discipline and scrutiny into mere cinematic convenience, overlooking the genuine struggles and challenges that research scholars face in their academic journeys.
Social Media Erupts with Humor and Criticism
The debate quickly went viral on platform X, with the hashtag #AcademicChatter trending as scholars, students, and academics shared their reactions. The discussion blended frustration with humor, as users created memes and witty observations about the unrealistic portrayal.
One viral post read: "Larger-than-life movies, larger-than-life PhD thesis. Guess between 300-500 pages would have been more realistic." Another user joked: "2,200 pages is essentially 3-4 PhDs combined into one massive document!"
Threads dissected the scene in detail, questioning its logical consistency while acknowledging Bollywood's traditional flair for dramatic exaggeration. Some users pointed out the irony in a scene where Mukti, whose thesis supposedly focuses on treating violent tendencies in humans, attempts to slap someone during an argument.
Box Office Success Amid Growing Controversy
Despite the academic criticism, Tere Ishq Mein performed remarkably well commercially. Made on a production budget of approximately Rs 85 crore, the film earned an impressive Rs 148.5 crore at the box office according to industry tracking sources. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Aanand L Rai, the film maintained strong audience interest despite the academic community's reservations about certain plot elements.
The controversy highlights the growing scrutiny of how academic life and research processes are portrayed in mainstream cinema, particularly as more educated audiences engage critically with media content. While Bollywood films often take creative liberties for dramatic effect, this incident demonstrates that certain professional communities are increasingly vocal about unrealistic representations of their fields.
The discussion continues to evolve on social media platforms, with scholars using the opportunity to educate the public about the realities of PhD research while also engaging in lighthearted commentary about cinematic exaggerations in popular entertainment.
