Kriti Sanon Responds to ‘Tere Ishk Mein’ ‘Toxic’ Tag: ‘If Your Heart Is Not Wrong…’

Kriti Sanon’s performance in Tere Ishk Mein, director Aanand L Rai’s romantic drama starring Dhanush, has sparked both praise and debate. While many lauded her portrayal of Mukti, a section of viewers described the character as “toxic” and a “red flag”.

Addressing the reactions in an interview with Zoom, Kriti said such labels are now frequently used and welcomed the conversation around complex characters. “‘Toxic’ and ‘red flag’ are terms we hear a lot today. It’s good that people are talking about it. Debate is an important part of storytelling. At the end of the day, you see both characters being right and wrong at different points,” she said.

The actor added that flawed characters reflect real human behaviour. “Your moral compass doesn’t stay fixed on one person, and that’s healthy. Human beings make mistakes. If your heart isn’t wrong and you’re not an evil person, there’s always a reason behind the choices you make. It’s about perspective,” Kriti explained.

In a separate chat with Hindustan Times, Kriti admitted she closely follows audience feedback online. “Yes, I’m obsessed. I read what people are saying — not just critics. I enjoy debating because that’s the point of art. Everyone experiences cinema differently, based on their own lives and emotions,” she said.

She added that Tere Ishk Mein stands out for its honest portrayal of flawed love. “The film shows toxic love, but it also shows the woman calling out that toxicity,” she noted.

The film traces the emotionally intense journey of Shankar, an impulsive young man deeply in love with Mukti. Their relationship begins in college but unravels when Mukti decides to marry someone else, setting the stage for a story that explores passion, heartbreak and moral ambiguity.

On the work front, Kriti Sanon will next be seen in Homi Adajania’s Cocktail 2, co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. She is also reportedly being considered for a key role in Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3, though no official confirmation has been made.