New Delhi: The much-anticipated romantic drama Ek Din, starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, arrives with a familiar premise but leaves little emotional impact. Backed by Aamir Khan Productions, the film attempts to explore love, memory, and longing—but struggles to make its story resonate.
A promising idea, weak execution
The film introduces Dino, played by Junaid Khan, an awkward and introverted IT employee in Noida who quietly harbours feelings for his colleague Meera (Sai Pallavi). While Dino is deeply attentive—almost uncomfortably so—Meera is involved in a complicated relationship with her married boss, played by Kunal Kapoor.
The narrative takes a turn when the trio, along with their colleagues, travel to Japan for an office trip. Amid snowy landscapes and emotional turmoil, Dino makes a wish—to have Meera love him, even if just for a day. Through a fantastical twist, that wish seemingly comes true.
Memory loss and missed emotions
A tragic accident leaves Meera with Transient Global Amnesia (TGA), where she loses her memory every 24 hours. This becomes the central emotional device, as Dino and Meera share fleeting moments that she cannot retain.
While the concept holds promise, the storytelling fails to build emotional depth. The film tells viewers about love and heartbreak but rarely makes them feel it.
Comparisons with Saiyaara
The film has drawn comparisons with Saiyaara, another love story involving memory loss. However, as Aamir Khan clarified, the two films are very different—and that difference becomes evident.
Where Saiyaara reportedly succeeded in evoking strong emotional engagement, Ek Din lacks the same intensity, especially in portraying longing and heartbreak.
Performances fall short of saving the film
Sai Pallavi, making her Hindi cinema debut, delivers a sincere performance. Her portrayal of Meera—free-spirited, flawed, and expressive—stands out, though the character itself feels underwritten.
Junaid Khan shows improvement and moments of charm, even evoking shades of Shah Rukh Khan in a few scenes. However, the chemistry between the leads remains largely absent, weakening the film’s core.
Visual appeal but little substance
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Japan, particularly Hokkaido’s winter landscapes, the film offers visual beauty. Meera’s fascination with Japanese culture and her quirky traits add some charm, but these elements alone cannot compensate for the lack of emotional engagement.
Final verdict
Despite an interesting premise and earnest performances, Ek Din turns out to be a forgettable addition to the genre of romantic dramas centred on memory loss. It neither captures the magic of fleeting love nor delivers the emotional payoff it promises.