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Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu backdrop

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu

10 February 2012Hindi1h 50m
ComedyRomance
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 11 scored reviews · 1 not rated

Charming leads and a confident debut can't overcome a paper-thin plot.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Batra's assured directorial debut
  • Criticised: Thin, predictable narrative scope

Audience

User score 6.4 out of 10 from 12 ratings, Mixed
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Critic consensus

What 12 critics are saying

Critical reception for Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu was broadly positive, with most reviewers finding it an enjoyable and honest entry in the romantic comedy genre. Director Shakun Batra was widely praised for his assured debut, particularly for his reliance on sharp dialogue and unmanipulated emotional moments rather than genre conventions. The lead performances of Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor drew consistent appreciation, with several critics noting their natural chemistry. Common criticisms included a thin, predictable narrative with limited scope, a soundtrack that fell below expectations, and occasional lapses in authenticity such as inaccurate cultural and location details.

How the 11 scores spread

1 not-rated review isn't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 12 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (12)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    When a film calls itself Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, it wants you to have no doubts, not even for a second, that this is what you are in for : one boy, one girl, and a rom com. In this instance, uptight boy and giddy girl meet cute in Vegas. You know that in the first half they will be in situations where his uptightness and her giddiness will get full play. In the second, they will try reaching an accommodation, leaving the last few minutes for a suitable ending.

  2. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    For those who swear by sentimental movies and are die-hard fans of rom-coms, who fervently wish Valentine's Day is prolonged eternally, EK MAIN AUR EKK TU is akin to an answer to this yearning. Rom-coms relaxing in the splendor of harmonious compositions, a creative and innovative take on present-day romance, pulsating images and timed during the Valentine week… aah, you can't ask for more!

  3. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Director Shakun Batra shows rare deftness for a first-time filmmaker in Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (EMAET). It is full of honest, warm moments that - to their credit - work without the manipulation most directors resort to in films belonging to this genre. Instead, Batra relies on sharp dialogue, and some well-etched out characters. I'd go a step further and say that the film is the best you would have seen recently in the two genres it melds together - a romantic comedy and a coming-of-age-drama, something Wake Up Sid just about fell short of.

  4. NDTV

    Film review ·

    Pappu can't dance saala but he sure can make a film (Shakun Batra's the latest director to be launched by Karan Johar is Pappu from Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na's cult song. I'll go with three and a half stars for this film plus a half for the superb editing, so four out of five.

  5. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    In a smart conversational excerpt from the film, the hero downplays himself as an ordinary guy who doesn't excel in any particular domain. But the heroine finds uniqueness in his commonplace conduct since he never overindulges into anything. She tags him with the paradox - 'perfectly average'. That precisely defines the film as well. It's perfect in whatever it offers. But what it offers is quite average in volume.

  6. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    For all the talk of their age difference, Imran and Kareena do make a good couple. The script helps too with her being shown two years older. However, the film does tend to get monotonous with the focus being on just the two. Batra tries to rope in a few more characters as the plot moves to India with Riana's parents and her extended family. Here, Batra falters as he portrays her family more like Parsis than Catholics. The scene at St Xavier's School where Riana takes Rahul on a tour too is a mistake because we all know that only boys study here. Talking about her best friend Amu, too, trivializes the scene a bit. We all know who she is referring to.

  7. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    The narrator, who's also the hero, suggests there are three kinds of kids in the world: "chamche", who suck up to their parents; the rebellious sorts, who take them head-on; and the smart ones, who do what they like, and their parents never know. This stiff-neck, stone-faced, tight-assed lead character belongs to the mysterious fourth category: henpecked by mom (Ratna Pathak Shah), bull-dozed by pop (Boman Irani), this fellow grew up under-sexed, under-confident, under his parent's thumb. That his parents are so unnecessarily phony and psychotic, I guess, takes away from some of the realism. But it's all in the interest of comedy.

  8. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    On the whole, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is an entertaining and enjoyable fare for the city audience. Its business in multiplexes will be decent. Given its total investment of around Rs. 35-36 crore and given that it can easily recover around 60-65% of that from satellite, audio and home video, recovery of the balance 35-40% from India and Overaseas theatrical business is something which will be accomplished in the first week itself. It will, therefore, prove to be a comfortable earner.

  9. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Sukanya Verma feels that Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is neither on the epic side like Dharma Productions' great, grand ancestors nor weighed down by an overload of pop culture references of those that define the genre.

  10. Zee News

    Film review ·

    One doesn't expect much from a first time director venturing into big bad world of Bollywood with a typical romantic comedy. The plot appears to be lifted from a Hollywood flick, it targets the youth and it releases close to Valentine's Day. How different can the rom-com be, one wonders. But director Shakun Batra springs a surprise with this movie.

  11. Bollyspice

    Film review ·

    In summary, given that Amit Trivedi is composing and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu clearly belonging to the romantic comedy genre, one can easily expect an Aisha from this soundtrack. If you are, then you will be quite disappointed. While Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is entirely listenable, it is below the standard of work we have witnessed Trivedi deliver in Aisha, Dev D and No One Killed Jessica. That being said, the musical verdict for his last gig, Chillar Party, should have been an indication of a downward spiral in any event. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is vast improvement from Chillar Party but nowhere near the genius witnessed in Trivedi's aforementioned former works. Strictly speaking, 'Aunty Ji' and the title track (inclusive of remix) will most likely be the popular ones while 'Aahatein'' (inclusive of remix) is a close runner-up. 'Gubbare' and 'Kar Chalna Shuru' suffer from sounding like derivatives of each other even though they are decently written. Moreover, the unremarkable renditions all work against their favour.

  12. Filmfare

    Film review ·

    The lead characters of a romantic movie are its pillars and EMAET stands on two really strong ones. Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor are in the best of form and they really make the film work. Kareena is radiant and vivacious. Her character has traces of Geet from Jab We Met but she goes a step ahead and delivers a fun but matured performance. It may sound like a cliché, but she's just getting better with each film. Imran Khan is a revelation. The role is tailor-made for him and he is at his earnest best. It's hard not to like him.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

12 ratings · user score 6.4

  1. Monomalya BhattacharyyaJan 2016
    9/10

    The story was just too good with an awesome Kareena Kapoor. A very good debut direction by miss Shakun Batra. I think one day she will become one of the most high profile director of the B-town. The movie also had a Woddy Alen touch to it

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  2. Midhun Ben Thomas (Dilseben)Sept 2016
    6/10

    Love is in the air with yet another Valentine's day upon us within a couple of days. Keeping this in mind, Karan Johar has decided to provide the audience with a romantic comedy to liven up the spirits. Romantic comedies are one of the most popular genres in Hollywood which is slowly finding its feet in India following the advent of Multiplexes. Though there has been quite a few of them in the last few years, it hasn't quite hit the jack pot on a regular basis owing to its predictable storyline. Will Karan Johar's "Ek Main Aur Ek Tu" be any different??? Rahul Kapoor (Imran Khan) is an uptight, introvert architect whose whole life has been intricately planned by his parents. But things takes a turn when he loses his job & fearing that it would be frowned upon by his folks, he frantically starts searching for jobs. At this juncture, he meets up with Riana Bragnaza (Kareena Kapoor), a hair stylist who believes in living life to the fullest. They spent the Xmas eve together & eventually end up getting married after a night of carousal. Realizing their folly, they decide to get their wedding annulled but with time they become fond of each other. So will the age old rule of opposites attract act as a deterrent to the annulment??? Karan Johar has always been an avid supporter of fresh talent & this time around he entrusts Shakun Batra with the mantle of directing this venture. Shakun in the company of Ayesha Devitre has come up with a predictable core story but what makes it endearing is the treatment meted out to it. The characterization of the protagonists is what makes it for an enjoyable watch along with an unconventional yet appropriate climax. Running at just under a shade of 2 hours, it doesnt take a toll on the patience of the audience as well. The music by Amit Trivedi was impressive & gels with the feel of the film especially the title track rendered by Benny Dayal & Anushka Manchanda; along with Auntyji rendered by Ash King. Kareena Kapoor has proved once again as to why she is indeed the most sought after actresses in the industry. Though Riana is a polished version of Geet from "Jab we Met", she still has been able to bring about a sense of freshness to the character. Imran Khan was the perfect choice as Rahul & stands shoulder to shoulder with his experienced co-star. As for the rest of the cast, all of them have done an apt job. Verdict: The film is likely to garner an impressive opening owing to the interest generated by the fresh pairing & catchy music. Being an urbane film, it's unlikely to make a stir in the single screens but the Multiplexes are likely to make rousing business. In short, definitely one of the best Indian rom coms to have come out & should be a hit in all probability. If you have a fervor for rom-coms, dont miss it!!! Rating: 3/5 Regards...Ben

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