Of Rahul in Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu

I loved Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. It's a nice, light, and breezy watch with a surprising climax. I had gone in with the expectation that I am going to watch an emotional romantic comedy but I was pleasantly surprised. The movie is like another Hollywood rom-com..so clean..But I digress..

The thing is I loved Rahul (Imran Khan's character). I think I will add him to the list of my favorite characters. He is humble, under-confident, doesn't take a stand when he should, lonely, reserved, self-deprecating, stiff, formal, and always waiting for validation from others. When his girlfriend dumped him, he says he probably wasn't good enough for her; instead of finding flaws in her, he admits to his own shortcomings. He was happy settling for silver though his father pushed him for gold. He wasn't good at anything but was simply an average guy. At one point Rianna (Kareena) says to him, "You’re perfectly average. Tum koi bhi cheez kam ya zyaada nahi karte.” And being average is not a bad thing at all. She goes on to add that all the guys she had dated, some were good in one thing and weird in other things, but he did everything in the optimum amount. So, she coined somewhat of an oxymoron "Perfectly Average". And he felt happy to hear it. I think we love those movie characters whom we can relate to it the most. I could so relate to him because I am so much like him. All the qualities I mentioned reminded me of myself. I am so average. At one point he says to Rianna, main 25 ka hun and roz subha uthta hun aur mujhe pata nahi mujhe kya karna hai. Then she says to him, tum duniya ke pehle insaan nahi ho jo fail hue ho..he says, apni family me pehla hun..and then she says so feel good about it, at least kisi cheez me to pehle ho. 

And Kareena!! She is terrific. Except for Vidya and Kareena, we have no credible mainstream actresses who give a solid performance in every film. Kareena has a striking screen presence and she communicates brilliantly with her eyes. Her character was more mature than Geet in Jab We Met, who was more childish. Rianna is much more experienced and has gone through more in life than Geet but still lives her life to the full. I loved it when she gave a camera to Imran and the way she pulled his ears and made fun of him. I don't blame Rahul for taking them as hints and falling for her. Rahul says, "maine apne dost se pyar kar liya aur tumne pyar se dosti" and "itna paas baithti ho aur bolti ho ki mujhe gala idea ho raha hai." 

I loved that scene when Rianna says to him "Do you want a hug?" Yes, everyone needs a hug ya. Who doesn't? :( This also reminded me of the time when I told you something. 

Again this movie is about an often talked about topic in this blog..one-sided love. Rahul again has no expectations from Rianna. He says, "Rianna roz mujhe kisi se milane ki koshish karti hai, but I still love her. And kabhi na kabhi main use convince kar hi lunga. Life is not perfect but I am happy."

I think Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is one of the very few films that says it's ok being average, not everybody is a hero and that is why I loved the movie for its realism. Average guys are also good guys :) As some critics have said it is one of the finest coming-of-age films even better than Wake Up Sid. Finding life through love—an eternal promise that never seems to grow old. 

And I must add about references. At one point Ratna Pathak Shah says, do that hair transplant like Sarabhai..no prizes for guessing what this is is a reference to! And the story is somewhat adapted from Ross and Rachel in Friends. I also felt some inspiration from an episode in Dekh Bhai Dekh. Imran in an interview says that he likes to work with first-time directors because typically a first film is autobiographical..totally agree..a first film or book definitely is more of an autobiography. And as now we know Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is directed by Shakun Batra..the same guy who acted as Pappu in the song Pappu Can't Dance Saala in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Karan Johar is doing some great work by giving chances to new directors...this is the ninth director launched by Dharma Productions!

Dialogue of the Day:

Jo hua hai woh hota hai
Jo hona hai woh hona hai
Jo tere bus mein baatein hai
Unhe khamakhan kyun khona hai 

 —Kar Chalna Shuru Tu, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu