Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu

Not bad as I thought it would have been (I mean, with Kareena and Imran my expectations weren't too high), just a simple, light comedy with an unexpected end. Quite enjoyable. It could have been better but it could have been a lot worse too. P.S. All songs can/must be skipped, you're welcome.

When "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu" rolled out just in time for Valentines' Day, it appeared to be another romantic trifle designed for parting swooning fools from their disposable income. I'm glad the timing of its release and cutesy poster didn't put me off, for it's actually a beast of different stripe.

For a start, Imran Khan – heart-throb du jour of young girls—is not cast in heroic vein. He plays Rahul Kapoor, only offspring of an over-achieving architect father and a socialite mother. An amusing opening montage shows various types of kids: goody-two shoes, hell-raisers in angel guise, rebels looking for a cause, and so on. And then we have Rahul. From infancy, he's been told exactly what to do and how to do it. His own aptitudes don't matter for his father wants a miniature high-achieving clone of himself, while Mom is preoccupied with the pursuit of eternal youth. When the tot announces he's won a silver medal for swimming, his father witheringly corrects him, "No, what you did was lose the gold." Unsurprisingly, Rahul grows up into a permanently browbeaten youth with a pathological compulsion for neatness and a passion for ironing his socks. Precisely the kind to sweep girls off their feet…

Dispatched to Las Vegas by Dad to intern at a big American firm as a preliminary step to becoming India's next architectural wunderkind, Rahul gets fired and doesn't know how to break it to his parents. That very day, they fly in to spend Christmas with him. Can a young man's life get more excruciatingly wretched? Why, yes, because his folks haul him off to the Christmas party from hell. A horrified Rahul gets unsolicited sex advice from Dad's loudmouthed friend, while the friend's new wife (hello, Mrs. Robinson) gropes his bum. Rahul makes a run for it, knocking over a waiter with an enormous platter, causing everybody to stare. Rahul's parents look pained. More withering looks follow and they depart for India in a gust of disappointment.

When Rahul encounters Riana Braganza, a free-spirited hairstylist, similarly unemployed, he feels compelled to prove he is no snore-inducer. Bolstered by copious quantities of alcohol, he loosens up and actually has fun. In a boozy blur, they impulsively get married at a chapel officiated by an Elvis impersonator.

This is no unacknowledged rip-off of "What Happens in Vegas"—it turns into something else entirely: a sweet-natured, generous-hearted reflection on human follies. Told they have to wait until the New Year for an annulment, Rahul and Riana return to India for a week. The Las Vegas location seemed arbitrary because the lead pair must get hitched in a hurry for the story to move forward – it's when the action shifts to India that the film hits its stride.

In Bombay, Rahul witnesses another type of family: boisterous fun, affectionate, supportive with no secrets or lies. The Braganzas take him into their bosom, and he blossoms into a fairly agreeable young man with sporadic bursts of confidence. Does this mean boy and girl will now fall in love and decide to remain married? It would be wrong to reveal any more, but suffice to say this is a charming antidote to the cloying sugariness of usual Valentines' Day fare.

Kareena Kapoor's Riana Braganza has certain shades of Geet, the character she played to perfection in "Jab We Met", but they are sufficiently unalike to hold one's interest. With scarlet streaks in her locks, a well-moisturized complexion, and a junior miss wardrobe, 32-year old Kareena does a pretty persuasive job of projecting youthful spontaneity and her pairing with the boyish Imran Khan doesn't jar. But, honey, it might be more fun to play women as opposed to girls – look at the blast Vidya Balan's having these days.

Imran Khan does a sterling job of playing squished—it's genuinely delightful watching him perk up as the film progresses. Ratna Pathak Shah and he reprise their mother-son roles (Ratna was Imran's mom in "Jaane Tu…ya Jaane Naa"), but the relationship they share couldn't be more dissimilar. Here Ratna doesn't have a single nurturing bone in her sleek well-toned bod. She's very funny as the self-absorbed, vain socialite, deliciously glamorous in a number of fashion forward looks. She made me laugh aloud when Imran finally has a cathartic meltdown at a dinner party, venting his rage at constantly being infantilized, a perplexed Ratna asks, "But what's wrong with chopsticks?" How I would love to see Ratna play Amanda Prynne in "Private Lives" opposite—who else?—Naseeruddin Shah as Elyot Chase in a Hindi version of that evergreen Noel Coward drawing-room comedy. Boman Irani is wonderfully off-putting as the severe, perpetually disapproving father whose first instinct is to scowl.

In a small cameo, Soniya Mehra (the late Vinod Mehra's daughter?) is a hoot as the extremely amorous date who decides to have her way with the cowering Imran.

Riana's large and loving family – all new to me, did fine work, especially her plump fun-loving dad completely devoid of tact. I also loved her toothless granny, tottering at the edge of dementia.

If one had to quibble, I would point to the cultural stereotypes the film plays on: Riana's laid-back tolerant family drinks, smokes, doesn't get bent out of shape over premarital sex –they're Christians, you see—maligned in India for their loose morals and tight clothing. But here they're the good guys, so that would just be me being tetchy - pay no heed.

Karan Johar has shrewdly mentored a number of fledgling filmmakers, and Shakun Batra,who co-wrote (with Ayesha DeVitre, hairstylist/writer—a truly uncommon hyphenate) and directs this film, proves yet again that Johar has impeccable instincts for choosing producing projects. Shakun's film has an authentic voice and tone and his characters are endearingly flawed, funny, and very human.

A boy loses job- the boy is frustrated- the boy meets a girl full of life – the boy falls in love – then …. Before drawing into any conclusion about "so cliché" I would have revealed the marvelous ending of "Ek Main aur Ek tu" but that would have been a crime. Ek Main Aur Ek Tu is typical yet a fresh take on urban relationship. Rarely a bollywood romantic movie arrives which is devoid of melodrama and loud inane dialogs. The trend had been started with Imtiaz Ali which is lapped by these new directors. Shakun Batra's "EK main aur ek tu" is one such breath of fresh air coming surprisingly from Dharma Productions which believes in "over-the-top" sequences. Like any love story EMAET is a story of a boy and a girl who are totally opposite in their upbringing and characters. Rahul is a shy introvert architect who is in search of his true self thanks to his over-dominating parents – his mother, a socialite who wants everything to be prim proper and his father, a businessman who wants him to reach the top. On the other hand Riana Braganza is a bubbly girl full of life who takes life as it is without any planning. Such contrasting characters had only one element in common – Loss (one at emotional level and another at professional level). With their breezy encounter in a psychiatrist's chamber they began their journey which land into a false marriage under drunken state and there-in. There is nothing much in the story but it's real execution which will appeal to those who are fed up with larger than life films. Shakun Batra and Ayesha DeVitre's story might not be fresh but full credit goes to the writers to come up with real scenario and such an unconventional ending. The ending is probably the most practical and matured one which I am witnessing first time in any Hindi romantic film in last two decades. Shakun Batra's shows eye for detailing and we hope to see more decent stories coming from him. The humor of the film gels with the mood. Subtle, matured and trendy it never hams. He has the potential to be the next Imtiaz Ali. David Macdonald does a good job in camera while Asif Shaikh does a better job in editing department. The film has been trimmed down to 2 hours thus the proceedings never lost it's momentum. One of the best part of the film is Amit Trivedi – Amitabh Bhattacharya (music – lyrics) combo which has always worked. From Dev D to Udaan to No one killed Jessica this combo has successfully delivered some "hatke" soundtrack which grows on you. The situation and lyrics of "Gubbare" is probably one of the best picturised romantic songs in last few years. And a special mention to "Aunty" for it's outlandish lyrics. Bosco- Casear's choreography is appropriate and creative. Coming to the acting part Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor complimented each other. Imran Khan was restrained as Rahul, an architect who loses his job but feels afraid to tell his parents. His gradual transformation was done in a non-filmy passion which should appeal to those who loves mature drama. Kareena rocks as Riana who is someway similar to Jab We Met's Geet but more matured than her. The contrast between the two families is will depicted and seriously Ratna Pathak Shah and Boman Irani excel in the role of Rahul's parents. One wishes to see Ratna Pathak Shah more on screen with her flawless comic timing. The actors who played the various roles of Riana's family member are competent enough to leave their mark specially one who played Riana's father and the old lady who played the cute granny. Ram Kapoor makes his presence felt in an important cameo. Overall "Ek main aur ek Tu" is a perfectly average film which makes it unique in the current scenario where all films are trying to go over the top (literally). With it's simple yet practical ending the film strikes a chord and I hope there will be many more who will love the different ending , something rarely seen in Bollywood rom-coms.

Coming from the house of Karan Johar, the promos are bound leave no stone unturned to ensure the visibility of "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu" is high and garners fabulous opening at the box-office. "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu" is a feel good rom-com with all the ingredients in adequate proportions. The songs are catchy ensuring they hold top position on the charts especially the title track and "Auntyji". Comedy is good ensuring the audience is entertained at regular intervals.

Imran Khan has evolved into a consistent performer who is getting better with each passing movie. Kareena Kapoor attempts to reprise her "Jab We Met" character Geet. Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak, Ram Kapoor and Anju Mahendru lend adequate support star cast. Shakun Batra as a first-timer holding directorial reigns knows his job well.

Finally the pertinent question - does "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu" match up to "Jab We Met" since similarities are many? Lets just say "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu" is a poor-man's "Jab We Met". Watch it and you will know why.

Ek Main aur Ek Tu was out of box thinking rom-com movie enhanced with matured acting by Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor along with soothing music by Amit Trivedi that gels well with the mood of the film. Rahul Kapoor (Imran Khan) is an average guy dominated by his nagging filthy rich parents telling him how to wear cloths , how to eat food . Rihana Brigenza (Kareena Kapoor) is a happy-go-lucky gal who enjoys her freedom and lives her to the fullest. However , their fate changes when their paths cross each other and soon they realize they want much more in life than just their daily routine. Directed by the first time director ,Shakun Batra, EMAET is a film which dares to cross the line and the result is fruitful. Hats off to the director for choosing such a different subject which challenges the patience of the audience and yet follows the simplicity of Indian Cinema. The film may start of with a typical boy-meet-girl romance but ends on something which I could never ever thought of.Screenplay is commendable keeping audience's interest alive. Imran Khan is getting better with each film. He has given his best performance till now and is on the verge of becoming a method actor. Kareena Kapoor is always a reliable when it comes to acting and though she shows shades of Jab We Met , she does a great job. Cinematography is outstanding capturing the beautiful location of Las Vegas and Mumbai. Production design is simple yet charming. Music by Amit Trivedi is soulful with the title song being the best among others. Rest of the star cast do justice to their part. So , overall , a perfect rom-com flick coupled with strong presence of Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Good – 3.5/5