Review: Ek Din – Wishes Come True in a Day Too!

In Indian society, despite significant progress in science, superstition continues to play an important role. This is often reflected in films as well. In the recently released film Ek Din, the story draws upon a superstition prevalent in Japan. Around Sapporo, amidst snowy mountains, there is a Wishing Bell where dejected or unsuccessful lovers make wishes to find their love, and it is believed that these wishes come true. How the ‘invisible’ protagonist experiences this forms the core of the storyline.

Dinesh Srivastav (Junaid Khan), aka Dino, works in an IT firm. His lack of good looks and confidence makes him feel ‘invisible’, as no woman notices him. He has a crush on his colleague Meera (Sai Pallavi) and is thrilled when she asks him for help. However, his happiness is short-lived when he discovers that Meera is romantically involved with their boss, Nakul (Kunal Kapoor). As an incentive, the entire office staff goes on a five-day trip to Japan, where Meera plans to spend a couple of extra days with her lover-boss, who has told her that he is heading for a divorce. However, she is devastated when his wife unexpectedly joins them. After heavy drinking, Meera lands up in a hospital and wakes up with TGA (Temporary Global Amnesia). Sensing an opportunity, Dino decides to win her over—at least for Ek Din—and pretends to be her boyfriend. What unfolds during and after this forms the crux of the film.

Ek Din bears similarities to the Thai film One Day, although the makers have not officially acknowledged this. The film appears to be a blend of styles—the timing and structure of One Day, the emotional nostalgia of 96, and the intimate connection seen in Before Sunrise. The climax is positive, keeping in mind the tastes of Indian audiences. Debutant director Sunil Pande has done a decent job. The cinematography is excellent, showcasing beautiful locations in Japan that are visually appealing. Music by Ram Sampath adds emotional depth to the narrative. Junaid Khan delivers a commendable performance and shows promise as an actor. Sai Pallavi looks beautiful and does justice to her character. Her imperfect Hindi diction is understandable, as she plays a South Indian character. However, for future films like Ramayana, she may need to work on her Hindi accent. Supporting actors, including Kunal Kapoor, provide solid performances.

Overall, Ek Din carries an Indian emotional sensibility with dramatic and family-oriented elements. A good one-time watch.

Rating: **1/2