Ek Din Movie Review: A Sweet and Pleasant One-Time Watch
Story: After a heartbreak and a snow accident, Meera (Sai Pallavi) suffers from Transient Global Amnesia (TGA), a condition causing short-term memory loss for one day. As she spends the day with her IT-geek colleague, Dinesh (Junaid Khan), who is secretly in love with her, will she remember the bond they shared?
Review: Love is all about cherished, lasting memories. But what if the most beautiful moments are forgotten the very next day? This happens to a socially awkward and missable guy who spends a day with the woman he loves in Hokkaido, Japan, in this remake of the Thai film One Day. Directed by Sunil Pandey and written by Sneha Desai and Spandan Mishra, Ek Din is a unique romance drama that makes for a breezy watch.
One of the refreshing aspects of the narrative is how the day unfolds like an easy friendship, with gentle undertones of romance. The film's first act establishes Dinesh's unrequited love for Meera, who is in a relationship with her married but nearly-divorced boss, Nakul (Kunal Kapoor). Things take a curious turn when Dinesh and Meera end up spending two extra days at their offsite in Japan after their team returns to India. The second act follows their discovery of companionship and warmth in each other, while the third act explores Meera's memory being reset and whether Dinesh can help her remember what they shared.
Their time together in Japan is beautifully captured by cinematographer Manoj Lobo, who films the snow-capped locales and snow-covered beach with breathtaking beauty. The narrative explores the magic of one perfect day and the bittersweet emotion that comes with knowing it is transient. However, the film also relies on several clichés, such as wishes coming true or Dinesh saving a child's life, leaving Meera impressed. The movie takes time to establish its central story and feels slow in places, especially in the second half. The third act, however, feels convincing and delivers an emotional payoff.
Junaid Khan pulls off his nerdy IT support guy act well. He embodies the good-at-heart, socially awkward man, especially when he rattles off statistics or talks earnestly about nerdy details, such as how some vegetables are actually fruits. Sai Pallavi is likable and convincing, bringing warmth and natural charm to Meera. Kunal Kapoor lends able support in a limited role.
Ek Din has an unconventional concept but a fairly conventional romantic set-up, with an odd couple finding love in each other. It has its share of contrived plot points, but it still makes for a decent watch, especially for those who enjoy heartfelt romances.
