When the whole world is racing ahead, and especially when cinema is raising ahead in time, one can always count on Rajshri to bring Indian cinema to its true platform. A cinema in which emotions are not expressed in words, where every scene is enriched with Indian culture and tradition, and all this is enveloped in a story that touches your heart. Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi carries all these traits and hails from the production house that gave us the all time classics such as Hum Aapke Hai Kaun, Hum Saath Saath Hai and Vivah. This time around, carrying the proud baton of this house is debutant director Kaushik Ghatak.

Isha Koppikar and Sonu Sood arrive on the Rajshri scene in this emotionally burdened venture to turn their careers around. And might we say, so they did in the lovable and admirable characters of Chandini and Prem (some things never change).

Chandini’s characters follows in the Rajshri tradition of heroines, such as Nisha from HAHK and Poonam from Vivah. She's innocent yet empowered, although this time around the empowered trait has been kicked up a notch. Chandani is the eldest of her three siblings and one unfortunate day, whilst still gathering the dreams of her future with her beloved Prem, fate snatches all that she has known away from her. When her father unexpectedly passes away, Chandani is made to choose between a perfect life that is only a step away and the responsibilities that she cannot walk away from. Her cultured nature and loving personality compel her to choose the latter and so begins Chandani’s journey as the second parent to her two younger siblings. But what about Prem? Is he left behind in the dark or does he walk into another pretty horizon away from Chandani? The answer is neither. Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi is here to give a new meaning to love, commitment and sacrifice. To know just how this happens, race to a cinema near you now!

Kaushik Ghatak who is an established name in Indian television brings all the traits of Indian television to the big screen, and may we say it is rather evident. The director does, however, manage to keep away from clichés of evil extended family members and cheesy dialogues at shore. The movie’s main beauty is that it is not about winning a battle against a villain. Instead, it is about relationships, commitment and love like you’ve never seen it before. Kaushik is definitely to be congratulated on successfully executing quite a unique concept, even if it is recreated from the Rajshri classic Tapasya.

However, unfortunately there does remain one significant downside to the movie, and that is the first half. It is overburdened with songs and seems rather dragged out. Scenes and the twists in the screenplay in the first half fail to keep your attention and to top that off, a song a minute doesn’t help in engaging the audience.

Luckily enough, the movie picks up dramatically post interval and you walk out with a good memory of what you just witnessed. Songs are kept to the bare minimum, performances are far more enhanced and the story keeps you engaged till the very end.

Sonu Sood and Isha Koppikar have easily delivered the best performances of their careers, and for that, one can imagine them forever indebted to Rajshri. Both actors outdo themselves in their respective characters, and one cannot help wondering why we endured them in cheap B-grade films for so long? Isha is truly starting to make a mark on the map post Don, and Sonu is doing very much the same since Jodha Akbar and this year’s blockbuster Singh is Kinng. Vishal Malhotra turns out to be scene stealer and one hopes to see him more often in more prominent roles. The actor deserves a special mention for two scenes, one in which he confronts Isha about moving out and another which is the Raksha Bhandhan sequence. All those who claim to be non-tear-jerkers, watch out for these two sequences because it will even get the best of your kind. Amrita Prakash is very impressive in her limited scenes and is surely turning into a fine actress. Although a word of advice to her make up artist, tone down the caking up. She’s a beautiful girl as it is, and the overdone makeup was more than evident.

Songs of Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi are definitely not those that you would expect to be rocking charts. Nor would you expect them to be extremely catchy. However, they definitely are enriched with meaningful lyrics that work hand in hand with such an emotionally packed film. In a time when petty English lyrics are the latest hit trend, it is much refreshing to see such tracks accompanying such a sincere film. Although one does wish they could have appreciated the songs more if they hadn’t been burdened with one every minute in the first half.

Art direction and cinematography are quite reminiscent of Vivah which works great since EKVB is quite similar in genre and appeal. Little actual dance choreography is incorporated into the song, but whatever one does witness in the first half proves to be quite a delight.

On the whole Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi is for all those cine goers who are true Rajshri fans, particularly Vivah fans. Sooraj Brajatya’s unique traits are very much evident in the film even if the captain of the ship was Kaushik. Vivah characters with intensity like you’ve never seen it before and emotions of a new kind are awaiting you to take you on a journey where love and commitment are redefined. Definitely check this one out.

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