After ‘Vivah’, another wedding culture movie by Rajshri Banner.

Some things can never change. And never will! One may have a very contemporary outlook towards life, but most of us continue to be very traditional at heart. Every Rajshri movie is rich in emotions and mirrors the customs and culture with greatest simplicity and understanding. EK VIVAAH... AISA BHI is no exception!

Rajshri continues the tradition of deriving from their in-house library much like Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon were renovated versions of Nadiya Ke Paar and Chitchor respectively. This time the source of inspiration is their 1976 film Tapasya (for which Rakhee won the Best Actress Award).

It's really scary to note that family sagas have actually disappeared from the face of Hindi cinema. Come and watch EK VIVAAH... AISA BHI with your family and re-link with your roots!

Chandni (Isha Koppikar) belongs to a middle class family, living in one of the tiny bylanes of Bhopal. She lives with her father and younger siblings -- Anuj (Master Amey Pandya/Vishal Malhotra) and Sandhya (Baby Ishita Panchal/Amrita Prakash). Chandni, who is deeply attached to her school-going brother and sister, is trained in classical and folk music. During a stage performance, she falls in love with Prem (Sonu Sood). Prem comes from a rich business family.

Life is picture perfect, until on the day of their engagement, Chandni's father (Alok Nath) passes away. Suddenly, she becomes the eldest in her family. On one hand, her mehendi-adorned hands beckon her to the dream home of her fiancé. On the other hand are her younger siblings whom she cannot take along. Chandni decides not to marry, so that she can raise her little brother and sister with self-respect.

Prem understands her and waits for Chandni for twelve long years, until she fulfils all the responsibilities as an elder sister.
 
Everything from the story, setup to the music of the film appears outmoded though the producers attempt to use this traditional and conventional approach as their USP. It's like serving very sweet soft drinks in the age of diet beverages.

The screenplay of the film follows a standard song-dance structure and the first half is almost devoid of a story, which initiates only after the father departs at the interval point. The characterizations are too idealistic to be believable or relatable in today's blemished materialistic world. The music by Ravindra Jain is too stodgy to connect with, in contemporary times. The performances fall within the set Barjatya parameters.

Of course, EK VIVAAH... AISA BHI has a strong story to tell. Besides, there're ample moments in this movie that strike a chord, that touch the core of your heart, that make you moist-eyed. And that's where this movie scores big time.

Debutante director Kaushik Ghatak (a known name on television circuit) remains faithful to the subject material and most importantly, captures the sensitive moments well. The tale of sacrifice has been witnessed time and again, but it works only if the characters make you cry, even weep.
 'Mujhme Zinda Hai Woh' is the only track that merits a mention. Also, too many songs in the first hour put you off after a point. Dialogues are good at places.

Both Sonu Sood and Isha Koppikar contest for top honours. Sonu is reserved, mature and acts the part well. Isha is first-rate, exuding simplicity and strength that this character demands. Alok Nath is very good. Ditto for Vallabh Vyas and Smita Jaykar. Vishal Malhotra springs a surprise. He's excellent. Chhavi Mittal is efficient as the sister-in-law. Amrita Prakash doesn't get much scope. Anang Desai is fine.

On the whole, EK VIVAAH... AISA BHI is akin to a delicious Indian thali in times of Pastas and Pizzas. At the box-office, expectedly, the movie may start slow, but it has the merits to climb the ladder with each passing show. The tactic of releasing the movie at single screens and that too at limited centres makes wise business sense, since EK VIVAAH... AISA BHI is not the multiplex kind of film.