Archive · 30 Nov 2025
Bollywood's UPSC Obsession: Tere Ishk Mein
Bollywood has recently started using the UPSC exam as a big part of their stories.
In the new movie Tere Ishk Mein, the hero tries to clear the UPSC prelims to impress the heroine's IAS officer father.
This is not the only movie doing this.
Other films like Aspirants and 12th Fail have also shown UPSC as a important part of the story.
The UPSC exam is a big deal in India, with many people trying to pass it every year.
Bollywood likes to use it in movies because it makes the story exciting and relatable to many people.
However, just using UPSC in a movie doesn't guarantee its success.
The story still needs to be well-written and engaging.
Bollywood is increasingly using the UPSC exam as a plot device in films like Tere Ishk Mein, Aspirants, and 12th Fail.
The UPSC exam is seen as a symbol of high stakes, middle-class aspirations, and social mobility.
Clearing the UPSC prelims is often portrayed as a dramatic turning point in these films.
The UPSC theme resonates with a large audience base, including aspirants, their families, and coaching centers.
While the UPSC angle can attract audiences, the success of a film still depends on strong writing and engaging storytelling.
- Who
- Bollywood filmmakers and audiences
- What
- Increasing use of UPSC as a plot device in films
- When
- Recently, with multiple films featuring UPSC themes
- Where
- India, particularly in Hindi cinema
- Why
- UPSC represents high stakes, middle-class aspirations, and has a ready audience base
- Film
- Tere Ishk Mein
- Lead Actors
- Dhanush, Kriti Sanon
- UPSC Exam
- Union Public Service Commission
- Prelims
- Initial stage of UPSC exam
- Middle-Class Dream
- UPSC as aspirational goal
- Recent Films
- Aspirants, 12th Fail, Meri Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana
- Audience Base
- Millions of aspirants and their families