Review: Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu

 

There is one major reason why stories are set in Las Vegas, USA. It’s because that American city enjoys the dubious reputation of having all day and all night chapels where couples can marry 24×7. Now meet mama’s boy, jobless architect and Mr. average Rahul Kapoor (Imran Khan) whose life turns turtle when he meets jobless hairstylist, spontaneous Riana (Kareena Kapoor). A drunken Christmas night on the town later the chalk and cheese couple awake with a hangover and a marriage certificate. Panic gives way to practicality and the pair agrees to get the marriage annulled.

So far, so good. But now, between a marriage made by a minister in an Elvis costume and the court date for the annulment, Riana finds herself homeless and penniless and turns to the only person she appears to know in Vegas for help – her ‘husband’. He gives her shelter till it’s time for her to leave for a New Year’s break in India. In those ensuing five days Rahul discovers that he can loosen up, does have a wild side and has fallen in love with Riana.

Post interval the action shifts to India where Rahul meets Riana’s honest, open and loving family and Riana meets Rahul’s uppercrust, controlling, above average parents (Ratna Pathak Shah and Boman Irani). This is when the script begins to unravel. Riana’s character has absolutely no inflexion points. She is the same from start to finish. The catharsis is faced only by Rahul who finally finds a voice against his parents’ oppression.

Shakun Batra confidently helms his debut film. He is aided in great part by the chemistry between the lead pair. Thanks to them you are willing to overlook the predictability and, at times, lumbering pace of the film. The otherwise fine composer Amit Trivedi delivers one of his least memorable soundtracks. Imran Khan, in danger of slipping into a pattern of interchangeable roles in a series of romcoms, is provided a character, direction and co-star that lift him out of a dangerous rut. It is enjoyable to see Khan shaking up the stiff and insecure Rahul and watching him loosen up. Kareena reinforces her position as a Bollywood star, playing her part with effortless ease. She makes a potentially annoying Riana attractive.

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is a gentle, fun, date movie perfectly timed to release with Valentine’s Day around the corner.

 

Rating: ***