Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu

Ek main aur eke tu is the stereotypical romantic comedy. A very seedha saada kind of guy, Rahul, meets a crazy kind of girl, Rianna, falls in love ... read more

Ek main aur eke tu is the stereotypical romantic comedy. A very seedha saada kind of guy, Rahul, meets a crazy kind of girl, Rianna, falls in love with her, marries her in Vegas (completely irrelevant to the story) and then everything goes wrong before being set right. Getting a sense of dj vu folks? The ending of this story is slightly unusual but nothing else differentiates it from any such similar movies.

The use of snazzy graphics or the smooth flow of Amit Trivedis score gives it a sophisticated feel but that does nothing to hide the fact that the story is trite and not thought through completely. This shows up very clearly in the big scene where Rahul figures out that Rianna is not in love with him. You can almost see Imran trying to convince himself about the reasons that he thinks she led him on. There are lots of other such illogical small incidents that make you wish the Director had been more rigorous while making the film.

The story warms up a bit post interval when the two land up in Mumbai and meet with the Braganza family which is charming and adds some zing to the otherwise cold fish proceedings. Its a pity they are there only for two and a half scenes. The interaction between Rahul and his parents (Ratna Pathak Shah and Boman Irani) is also predictable.

The only interesting thing is to spot Avantika Malik in the movie in two places. Prizes from me for that.

Imran plays his usual sensible, sober self who gets thrown a curve ball. Kareena should seriously refuse roles that make her look wide eyed and high on amphetamines. Balloons and oversized glasses kind of high jinks dont suit her anymore. Its time she grew up and tried out some other stuff that makes you stop mumbling Jeet Jeet in your mind every time you see her on screen. The only times that she really connects with you is in the a few emotional scenes post interval which make you realize what she can be capable of.

All in all, this is a perfect Valentine Day movie for teenagers but thats about it. The story is mediocre, the chemistry is absent and the acting same old same old.

Love is a many splendoured thing they say. I wish Bollywood would try to explore these other splendours instead of just endlessly photographing the Taj Mahal. Even that can look boring after a while.
view less

First things first, this movie is no where close to the hollywood rom com flick 'What happens in Vegas'. Even though the promos suggest similarity ... read more

First things first, this movie is no where close to the hollywood rom com flick 'What happens in Vegas'. Even though the promos suggest similarity between the two movies they are as different as apples and oranges. Having said that, the movie is a fast breezy comedy flick with a gutsy ending. With punch lines that only strengthen a good screenplay, this movie is sure to sprint towards the best films of 2012.

Rahul is a guy whose 25 year old life has been controlled by his parents. He bumps into Riana at a psychology session when he loses his job. Riana is a fairly opposite person to Rahul and the two kick off a good friendship and ultimately in a drunken state get married. Since the two are stuck together for 2 weeks till they can get their marriage annulled, they bond together. Riana pulls Rahul out of his misery and shows him the entrance to a new world.

Rarely do we come across a comedy flick, where the dialogs and punch lines are good throughout the movie's running time. Shakun Batra who is also credited as the main writer for this movie does a fantastic job in adding dialogs with depth. Both the characters of Rahul and Riana are well written and leave an equal impact in the movie. The movie runs at a crisp pace and has a running time of only 1 hour 55 minutes. The calender animation added to the movie was something to look out for.

Amit Trivedi and Amitabh Bhattacharya are probably the best music director - lyricist combo in the recent times. Songs like Aahatein, Gubbare and Kar chal na shuru Tu have tremendous lyrical value to go with the catchy music. The songs drive the video in the movie and hence avoid from being speed bumps for the movie.

When I went for the movie, I was almost sure that Kareena was going to overpower her costar big time (read as 'kachha chaba jayegi'). To my astonishment, Imran came out as the winner among the two. His actions, mannerisms and dialog delivery were just brilliant for the part. This has to be his best effort till date. Kareena reprises Geet from Jab we met but is extremely likable as always. Of the support cast, Ratna Pathak stands out.

Shakun Batra had an impressive resume as an assistant director. He grabs this opportunity given to him by Karan Johar with both hands. Not only does he do a wonderful job in penning the movie, he does a hell of a job behind the camera executing it as well. This is one story you would love to hear.

Dharma productions is on a roll. First Agneepath and then Ek main aur ekk tu in quick succession. This film is surely not to be missed.

Rating: 7.7 / 10.0

Reasons to watch:
1) Wonderful screenplay
2) Imran's best effort till date
3) Awesome ending

Reasons to skip:
1) Could wait for it to come out on DVD

Repeat Value: Several times on DVD view less

That said, the film is one such which asks for the viewer to be patient with its subject matter. Unlike the dreadful What Happens in Vegas, this ha... read more

That said, the film is one such which asks for the viewer to be patient with its subject matter. Unlike the dreadful What Happens in Vegas, this has borderline similarities which arent even generically significant. So if ones hoping for the current of a What Happens in Vegas, fortunately this ones not trying to sell a lottery ticket. Because Ek Main .. is a character-driven drama and thus the pacing of the plot is lethargic, its dialogue, not whistle-worthy one-liners but conversational lines that two distinct individuals would probably end up having if put across each other. It is an unhurried film, because it doesnt rely on convulsions but is driving home a self-discovery tale of a boringly non-impulsive person.

Our hero is disturbingly nave when he believes that the precipitate hottie has fallen for him, just like he quite has; his assumption shouldnt shock viewers because the writers have neatly incorporated the context to his supposition. As a person, Rahul is as much a womanizer as much Vegas is a town to meditate. He hasnt seen a lot of ladies, and so his simplistic belief arises only naturally for Riana who surely is the first woman showering him with affection and genuine sense of interest (even his mother has cosmetic concerns than hearing him out)

Since the film isnt the one having a racy plot, it heavily relies on the dramatic drive of its characters. Which shifts the weight on the performances. A delightfully bunch of supporting cast led by the unfaultable Ratna Pathak Shah and supremely talented Ram Kapoor and Boman Irani, even the lead pair of the film is a stunner.

Such devastatingly attractive is the central duo; it is hard to not get charmed by the sheer amount of blinding beauty that smolders the screen. Kareena is predictably at ease with Riana Briganza. Her peculiar spontaneity is matched with dry sarcasm and timing for bad-and-odd jokes. Her frivolity can be traced to bitter experiences of past (only hinted), and her sensitivity maybe, comes from a distant sense of sympathy. Only complaint is that we see a rounded character in Rahul, but never quite learn about the vulnerabilities of Riana Briganza. Imran Khans Rahul, on the other hand is ably handled by the actor. Part of the reason also is the limited acting capacity of Khan, which work quite suitably here since hes playing a character that isnt madcap or brash. The countable expressions are everything that he needs for a plausible Rahul and Imran Khan, quite ironically pulls off the part with confidence. In fact he is so affecting that when he is in a totally depressed mode, a sense of gloom and despair spreads out of the screen. Probably part of the credit should go to director Shakun Batra who has handled the film exceptionally well for a first-timer.

A little sluggish, but a brave script Ek Main aur Ekk Tu is immensely watchable. It has a closure which largely validates its pacing and treatment, and that ending is again, stereotype-shattering. With a laidback background score by Amit Trivedi, the film is a study of character and thematically can be paralleled with say, a 500 Days of Summer.

Technically sound and plush in its production designs (its a Dharma Production), Karan Johar continues to flourish as producer and unearth new talent in an industry which seems set for sunnier days. view less

Rom Com a term that clearly tells you that the movie is about love but dont go looking for deeper meanings and complexities about the same. Sit bac... read more

Rom Com a term that clearly tells you that the movie is about love but dont go looking for deeper meanings and complexities about the same. Sit back with your date or yourself with a tub of popcorn and a glass of pepsi and just have a good time.

What's it about? - Spread over a period of 14 days it is about Imran Khan finding love & himself and Kareena Kapoor finding a friend but at the same time staying clueless thinking that since she has had a spate of screwed up relationships the problem lies with her. Maybe, she will find love and herself in the sequel which in this suddenly sequel obsessed industry is quite a possibility.

How is it? - Theek hai

What works? - Shakun Batra's Woody Allen and Before Sunrise/ Before Sunset inspired direction is mostly about two people having conversations. Thankfully, Shakun doesn't make a mess of it but neither does he offer any interesting insights about love and relationships. Shakun and Ayesha Devitre's screenplay is more like an amateur chick lit novel. Kareena Kapoor plays a less excited version of Geet but doesn't make it look like a repeat performance and she is yummylicious to watch on screen. Clinton Cerejo is the invisible star of the film who with his background music holds your attention even without you being aware of it. Kareena's family is a delight to watch especially the father and the granny. Kareena tells Imran in the film you are perfectly average. Imran khan is just that. The twitching of the eyebrow is in control. As an actor he is best suited for roles which do not call for bollywood histronics so he fits well here. The only thing that is deep in the film are Amitabh Bhattacharya's lyrics and Amit Trivedi's composition especially aahatein.

What doesn't - Kareena dosen't look or sound like a catholic girl at all. Watch Suchitra Krishnamurthy play Anna in kabhi haan kabhi naa to know the difference. If Kareena's family is perfect casting then Imran Khan's family is the opposite of that. Boman Irani is in yet another look at my scowl role and ratna pathak does an irritating version of the fantastic character from Sarabai vs Sarabai.

Final few words - EMAET is an easy watch but fails to connect at the heart level.

Rating - ** 1/2 (theek hai)

Ticket meter - worth 150/- bucks view less

Ek main aur Ek tu is old wine in a new bottle that isn't too jazzed up. Taking off from What Happens in Vegas, Riana and Rahul (Kareena and Imran) ... read more

Ek main aur Ek tu is old wine in a new bottle that isn't too jazzed up.

Taking off from What Happens in Vegas, Riana and Rahul (Kareena and Imran) get married on a night out drinking. Rahul has just lost his job while Riana is looking for one. The film follows their lives from this night to the eventual annulment of the wedding weaving a breezy story that is entertaining, though not entirely flawless.

Like most rom-coms EMAET is light in treatment. Unlike most, however, the film doesn't get syrupy. Sans any melodrama the story moves on without taking it self too seriously at any point.

The real strength of the film though is the lead pair. Imran as Rahul impresses in a role he has almost always played onscreen and is getting much better at. His innocence and naivete are endearing. Kareena as Riana sinks into the role with elan, enjoying every moment on screen. She has a warmth and charm that lights up even mundane scenes and infuses energy into the fresh on screen pair.

The music is the other standout-fun peppy and uber cool, the songs blend into the proceedings on screen with ease.

Director Shakun makes an impressive debut with EMEAT, especially with the un-bollywood-ish ending of the film.

It might not be intelligent, it might be predictable too, yet EMAET is enjoyable. Watch it, you wouldn't complain. view less