Review: Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi

These days filmmakers have been bitten by the remake bug. Directors have this dream to pick up a classic such as Sholay, Don or Karz and recreate it with their own vision. Also there is an overriding desire to place the film in the post-globalisation era or modern India. We saw that very clearly especially in a film like Don. But Sooraj Barjatya obviously doesn't believe in following any trend. For the uninitiated, Sooraj Barjatya, the producer of Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi is the grandson of Tarachand Barjatya. He made his directorial debut with Maine Pyaar Kiya and few directors have achieved the kind of stupendous success, which Sooraj Barjatya achieved with his first film.

So it's not strange that Sooraj Barjatya would look at the bank of hit Rajashri films for inspiration. In all probability Tapasya (1976) produced by his grandfather and directed by Anil Ganguly was a film, which Sooraj probably saw many times during his formative years. But unlike other producers Sooraj obviously saw no reason to contemprorise the theme of his film.

Ek Vivaah is about Chandni (Eesha Koppikhar ) a middle-class girl who lives with her younger siblings and her father Bhushan (Alok Nath). A promising singer she falls in love with Prem (Sonu Sood) who also cares for her. On the day of her engagement her father passes away and suddenly Chandni who is barely out of college finds herself saddled with the responsibility of her brother and sister. Suddenly love and romance take a backseat as Chandni struggles with her responsibilities and Prem promises to wait for however long it takes. But can this fledgling romance stand the test of time?

The biggest flaw

The '60s and the 70's in Bollywood were all about self-sacrifice. And sacrifice to the keep the family bonded was the highest calling for any human being. Times have changed, and so have people. But the director doesn't seem to agree. Chandni remains a paragon of virtue. Her martyrdom is so saccharine-sweet that it leaves you numb.