KARACHI:
Local film producers may crib endlessly about the impact of the Bollywood films swamping the market; they may propose potential bans to restrict the screening of Indian films, but the fact remains that there is a huge demand for Bollywood in Pakistan.
Stars like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor are household names in Pakistan and when one of these actors star in an upcoming film, it not only creates a huge bang in India, but also in its subcontinental neighbours. Hence, considering the Bollywood craze, it comes as no surprise that Karan Johar’s latest production Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (EMAET) is the buzz these days.
Recently, Agneepath — remake of a 1990 film of the same name — received a sensational response in Pakistan and over-booked shows at cinemas are enough testimony to that. As the season moves to the brighter [and springy-er] side, February has more to offer as the fun and laughter-filled Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu will hit the cinemas on February 10, adding to the celebration of the upcoming Valentine’s Day.
The film, which essentially looks like a romantic comedy, has been written and directed by debutant Shakun Batra and stars Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles. “Very rarely do lead players in a film get the opportunity to play characters that are so close to their real life character. Imran and Kareena are playing themselves in EMAET and that’s why they’ve been able to add that extra zing to their performances. It’s a slice of life film, a slice of their own lives I must say,” Johar was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
After recently winning an award for being the ‘Most Profitable Actress’, Bebo feels a huge burden of responsibility for this Karan Johar production. “She is going all out to manage Talaash’s post-production work as well as Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu promotions,” a team member close to the actor reveals. Talaash is an upcoming psychological thriller film featuring Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor in pivotal roles. “She has to wrap up all the work soon because Talaash releases this June,” the source confirmed while adding, “Aamir keeps telling her that she is giving Imran more time while the latter constantly teases her about how she’s giving mamu (uncle) all her dates.”
In her defense, Kapoor says, “They both are adorable as co-stars. It’s a pleasure working with them. I have already worked with Aamir in 3 Idiots. I love both of them equally.”
Meanwhile, although Johar insists it’s an original script, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu looks like an adaptation of the Hollywood movie What Happens In Vegas, where the couple gets drunk and decide to marry each other while intoxicated. “The movie is not an adaptation. It is an original story written by the writer of the film. It is not an adaptation of What happens in Vegas,” Johar said to indianexpress.com
Be it Kal Ho Na Ho or Agneepath, one thing is clear: Johar has always proved to be a better producer than a director. Still shimmering in the afterglow of Agneepath’s success, Johar might just hit the jack pot with his latest offering, giving the Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham director an awesome start to the year.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2012.