One doesn’t expect much from a first time director venturing into big bad world of Bollywood with a typical romantic comedy. The plot appears to be lifted from a Hollywood flick, it targets the youth and it releases close to Valentine’s Day. How different can the rom-com be, one wonders. But director Shakun Batra springs a surprise with this movie.
Even though the genre is a tried and tested one, Shakun makes the film enjoyable and cynics and critics are left pleasantly surprised by the fresh approach to a love story.

The story is pretty simple. An uptight, out of job architect, Rahul Kapoor (Imran Khan) meets an effervescent Riana Braganza (Kareena Kapoor) on a drunken night. The odd duo strike up a conversation, drink and make merry only to realize the next morning that they are married. Circumstances force the two to stay together for 14 days before they can get their marriage annulled. And in these 14 days, life changes for the two.

While the first half of the film is pretty much predictable, not even once does the viewer get bored. With a brilliant story written by Shakun and Ayesha Devitre, some quirky dialogues and smart screenplay, the film is able to lift the spirits of even those who are averse to rom-com genre.

The story takes a very interesting turn in the second half and narrates Rahul’s transformation from a boy to a man. And that perhaps is the USP of the film because even though the genre is an old one, the treatment meted out is very new.

The filmmaker should also be given credit for choosing such a brilliant star cast for the film. Not only the lead actors perform their parts to perfection but supporting cast like Ratna Pathak Shah and Boman Irani (as Imran’s parents) fit their role to the tee.

The film belongs to Kareena Kapoor. The actress has matured over the years and gives a befitting performance as the wild Riana Briganza. She is supported by Imran Khan in every frame. The actor, who is known for his chocolate boy avatar, delivers a restraint performance which is just right for the role.

Music of the film is by Amit Trivedi who has time and again proved that he knows his stuff. The music is light, beautiful and young; just what is needed for a film like EMAET.

So grab a bucket of popcorn and enjoy the mush this Valentine. You won’t be disappointed.