May 01, 2026 10:02am IST
‘Ek Din’ Review: In The Era of Rom-Coms, Here’s An Endearing Old-Fashioned Romance
A great love story or romantic comedy hinges on three essentials: casting, chemistry, and a compelling core. Sunil Pandey’s “Ek Din” seems to have found that sweet spot, anchored by the promising pairing of Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, who bring a fresh energy to this official remake of the Thai romantic drama film “One Day” (2016).
“Ek Din” has the warmth and charm of 1990s Hindi movies, reminiscent of Aamir Khan classics like “Raja Hindustani,” “Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin”, and “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.” The leading man makes no grand gestures, flash-in-the-pan abs or complex dance routines to win the girl. In fact, when he does dance, it’s delightfully (and deliberately) awkward.
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“Ek Din” nails the classic trope: a "mid" guy falls for a beautiful girl. Dinesh (Junaid Khan) is shy and insecure, while Meera (Sai Pallavi) is bold and confident. It’s the quintessential tale of one-sided love, complete with a rival who turns out to be a total creep. In any world, Dinu wouldn’t stand a chance — unless the heavens themselves decide to intervene. And they do. He gets 24 hours with her.
Broken and alone during an office trip to Japan, he stays behind just for her. Over the course of 24 hours, she falls in love — only for him to walk away. They have nothing in common except that they are both genuinely nice beings and that’s exactly why you root for them. The director initially teases a lack of chemistry, but by the end of their 24 hours together, their bond feels inevitable. When she hugs him and says, “I feel so safe with you,” it transcends a simple line; it becomes the modern “You complete me” moment of Hindi cinema. The romance unfolds like a soft breeze, supported by a soulful, soothing soundtrack that carries an old-world charm.
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It's not a breezy film. Even so, there is a definitive slump after this departure from her life. Possibly to make the audience feel the pangs of separation and pain of the couple, but it feels unnecessary. It doesn’t feel tired or over-sold, even though the plot is recycled. A film doesn’t have to be original to be enjoyable, as long as it’s engaging. “Ek Din” has some genuinely amusing and poignant moments. The snowy landscape of northern Japan is the perfect aesthetic for this film.
Junaid Khan wisely chooses a role that plays to his strengths. He plays the character winningly and quite endearingly. Not surprisingly, Sai Pallavi’s long-awaited Hindi debut is spectacular. She can do anything: dance, laugh her heart out, and then cry her heart out. Ultimately, a rom-com’s success lies in how the leads make you feel; these two make you believe in magic, dreams, and a janam-janam ka pyaar (eternal love). “Ek Din”’s heart is in the right place, and ultimately, it’s fairly enjoyable.
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