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| Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Shakun Batra |
| Written by | Ayesha Devitre Shakun Batra |
| Produced by | Hiroo Yash Johar Karan Johar Ronnie Screwvala |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Donald McAlpine |
| Edited by | Asif Ali Shaikh |
| Music by | Songs: Amit Trivedi Score: Clinton Cerejo[1] |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | UTV Motion Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 111 minutes[2] |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Hindi English |
| Budget | ₹360 million (US$4.3 million)[3] |
| Box office | ₹721 million (US$8.5 million)[4] |
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (transl. There's one me and one you) is a 2012 IndianHindi-languageromantic comedy film directed by debutantShakun Batra, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ayesha Devitre.[5] It was produced byKaran Johar and Hiroo Yash Johar underDharma Productions, in collaboration withRonnie Screwvala ofUTV Motion Pictures. The film starsImran Khan andKareena Kapoor, with supporting performances fromBoman Irani,Ratna Pathak Shah, andRam Kapoor.[6] Set inLas Vegas, the narrative follows Rahul Kapoor, a rigidarchitect who, after losing his job and a night of intoxicated impulsiveness, accidentally marries the free-spirited Riana Braganza. As the two decide toannul the marriage and develop a friendship, Rahul gradually falls for Riana, complicating their evolving relationship.
Principal photography took place in Las Vegas,Los Angeles,Pataudi, andMumbai. The music was composed byAmit Trivedi, with background score byClinton Cerejo and lyrics byAmitabh Bhattacharya. Inspired by the dialogue-driven romantic comedies ofWoody Allen, the film marked a stylistic departure from typical Bollywood romances.
Released theatrically on 10 February 2012,Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu received positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances, dialogues, and restrained treatment of romance. The film emerged as a commercial success, grossing ₹72.1 crore (US$8.5 million) worldwide.[7][8]
Rahul Kapoor, a 25-year-oldarchitect based inLas Vegas, lives under the influence of his controlling parents, Sushil and Seema Kapoor, who have dictated most of his life decisions. After beinglaid off from his job, he conceals the truth from his parents and searches for new opportunities. During atherapy session, he meets Riana Braganza, a free-spiritedhairstylist recently heartbroken and also unemployed. A misunderstanding leads Riana to believe Rahul is stalking her, but she later realises the mistake and apologises.
OnChristmas Eve, the two go out drinking, and a night of inebriated revelry culminates in an impulsive marriage. Shocked the next morning, they mutually decide toannul the wedding. With nowhere to stay after being evicted, Riana moves in with Rahul temporarily. Over the course of a week, they grow close, with Riana encouraging Rahul to explore his passion for photography. Rahul develops romantic feelings for her, which she does not reciprocate.
Riana invites Rahul to join her on a trip to India forNew Year's. Initially hesitant, he agrees. In Mumbai, Riana introduces him to her family, intensifying his feelings. After an unsuccessful attempt to kiss her, Rahul encounters his mother and fabricates a story about a work assignment. At a subsequent family gathering, frustrated by the burden of expectations, Rahul confronts his parents and reveals the truth about his life.
He returns to Riana to apologise, and they reconcile as friends. Back in Las Vegas, they finalise their annulment. Rahul starts a new job and embraces photography, content with his life and hopeful about the future.
Pre-production onEk Main Aur Ekk Tu began in 2010 whenKaran Johar announced a collaboration with debutant directorShakun Batra.[11] The film was conceived as a character-drivenromantic comedy set over two weeks in the lives of its protagonists.[12] Johar described the narrative style as inspired byWoody Allen's filmmaking, emphasizing conversational scenes and naturalistic sequences.[13]
Initially working under the titleShort Term Shaadi, the film's name was changed in August 2011. Johar explained that the earlier title was temporary and did not align with the film’s tone.[5] The final title,Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, was inspired by the song of the same name from the 1975 filmKhel Khel Mein.[14]
Imran Khan was cast in the lead role following the success ofI Hate Luv Storys (2010), his prior collaboration with Johar’sDharma Productions. To pair him with a fresh face,Kareena Kapoor was selected for the female lead.[15] For the role, Kapoor altered her appearance by cutting her hair short and adding red streaks.[16] According to Johar, Khan and Kapoor were cast for their ability to embody their characters' personalities—Khan’s role as a perfectionist and Kapoor’s as a free-spirited woman reminiscent of her character inJab We Met (2007).[13]
Principal photography commenced in November 2010 inLas Vegas,Nevada, following Khan’s completion ofMere Brother Ki Dulhan.[17] Additional sequences were filmed inLos Angeles,Pataudi (Haryana), andMumbai.[18][19] Las Vegas was chosen for its distinct character, with director Batra noting that the setting was integral to the story. As the schedule coincided with winter, production ran double shifts for efficiency.[9]
Rumors suggesting the film was an adaptation ofWhat Happens in Vegas (2008) were denied by Johar, who clarified thatEk Main Aur Ekk Tu was an original work.[20]
The music rights ofEk Main Aur Ekk Tu were acquired byT-Series for ₹60 million (US$710,000), marking the firstDharma Productions soundtrack not released bySony Music India since 1998.[21] The soundtrack, composed byAmit Trivedi with lyrics byAmitabh Bhattacharya, was released on 25 December 2011.[22]
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu was released worldwide on 10 February 2012, aligning withValentine's Day celebrations. The film opened to positive reviews and achieved moderate commercial success.[23]
Prior to release, the film's promotional materials encountered issues with theCentral Board of Film Certification. The board objected to the use of the word "sex" in the trailer and requested its removal. Additionally, a scene showing Kapoor pinching Khan'sbuttocks was deemed inappropriate for television and was edited out of the broadcast promos.[24]
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu opened to strong numbers in metropolitan multiplexes, grossing approximately ₹52.5 million on its opening day in India.[25][26] Strong weekend growth brought its first three-day total to around ₹210 million. It performed steadily during weekdays, especially onValentine's Day, which saw a notable uptick in collections.[27][28] At the end of its theatrical run in India,Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu grossed approximately ₹398 million net.[29]
Internationally, the film earned £242,177 in the UK from 53 screens and $1.7 million in the US from 111 screens during its opening weekend.[8]Box Office India classified the film as a "moderate success."[30]
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its performances, writing, and unconventional narrative. Rachel Saltz ofThe New York Times noted the film was "rather sweet and sometimes even a little unexpected."[31] Avijit Ghosh ofThe Times of India gave it 4/5, calling it “the sweetest heartbreak Bollywood has conjured in a long, long time.”[32]Taran Adarsh ofBollywood Hungama also rated it 4/5, commending its "refined, smart, lively" approach and strong character writing.[33] Reviews fromNDTV,DNA, andIndia Today echoed similar sentiments, citing the film's light tone and grounded storytelling.[34][35][36]
Other reviewers offered more tempered praise.Mid-Day andRediff.com each gave it 3.5 and 3 stars respectively, calling it a “small packet of joy” and “pleasant, if unremarkable.”[37][38]Rajeev Masand ofCNN-IBN gave it 3/5, appreciating its dialogue-driven narrative and chemistry between leads.[39] However, some critics, includingThe Indian Express andThe Economic Times, felt the film lacked novelty, whileYahoo! panned it as formulaic despite its intentions.[40][41][42]
| Award | Date of the ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zee Cine Awards | 6 January 2013 | Most Promising Director | Shakun Batra | Nominated | [43] |
| Screen Awards | 12 January 2013 | Best Actor (Popular Choice) | Imran Khan | Nominated | [44] |
| Best Actress (Popular Choice) | Kareena Kapoor | Nominated | |||
| Most Promising Debut Director | Shakun Batra | Nominated | |||
| Filmfare Awards | 20 January 2013 | Best Choreography | Bosco–Caesar(for "Aunty Ji") | Won | [45] |
| Stardust Awards | 26 January 2013 | Best Actor in a Comedy or Romance | Imran Khan | Nominated | [46] |
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