Ek Kori Prem Katha Film Review: Waging War on Regressive Rituals with a Bus and a Bold Voice

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Spoiler alert! Well, if you’re reading a film review, you’re kind of asking for it.

Hold your popcorn, folks. This is Review Rani, back with her sparkling wit, not-so-sugar-coated sarcasm and no-nonsense lens on Bollywood’s latest offering, "Ek Kori Prem Katha". Let’s dive in, shall we?

The film starts promisingly enough. A feisty woman, Sabhyata (Khanak Budhiraja) drives buses for a living. Yes, you heard that right! And, she lands in a village where they still believe in the virginity test (called "Kori Pratha"). Now, if you’re wondering what this test is, think of it as the medieval equivalent of an SAT, only more traumatic and way less useful.

Enter the village head honcho, Thakur Ramdev Singh (Raj Babbar). He’s the guy who has a Masters in Misogyny and firmly believes that these archaic traditions are the village’s insurance against epidemics and other disasters. So convinced is he of his theory that even when a newlywed woman takes her own life after failing this horrendous test, he doesn’t bat an eyelid.

Then we have the head honcho’s son, Laad’ Laddu’ Singh (Akshay Oberoi), who, despite his patriarchal lineage, is smitten by our fierce heroine. But alas, love is not a smooth ride, especially when you live in a village that’s stuck in a time warp. Sabhyata’s protest against the virginity test leads to a rift between the lovebirds and she’s shown the door.

The rest of the movie is about whether Sabhyata can smash this oppressive tradition and reunite with her Romeo. While the story seems compelling, the execution is as dull as a doorknob. The narrative, penned by Nishant Bhardwaj, Arvind Chaudhary, and Gayatri Manish, is as straightforward as a ruler but lacks the twists and turns that make for an engaging watch.

There are some attempts at subtle humor and symbolism. Like our hero, Laddu, who makes a grand entry on a bike, only to reveal he’s on a tractor. It’s almost as if the director, Chimnay P Purohit, is trying to say, "Hey, look, he’s not your typical Bollywood hero. He’s okay with taking the backseat and letting the woman lead".

Despite this, the performances are decent. Akshay Oberoi pulls off the aimless young man-turned-activist well. Khanak Budhiraja holds her own as the strong, independent woman. And the veteran actors, Raj Babbar and Poonam Dhillon, leave their mark.

The film does have an important message to convey – a woman’s dignity cannot and should not be determined by her virginity. But, it’s presented in such an idealistic manner that you wonder if you’re watching a documentary or a fairy-tale.

Rani’s Wrap-Up: "Ek Kori Prem Katha" has its heart in the right place but sadly, it lacks the storytelling magic to keep the audience hooked. It’s like a dish with all the right ingredients but cooked without any zest. So, if you have nothing better to do on a lazy afternoon, give it a watch. But don’t say I didn’t warn you! 😉