'Ek Din' opens to mixed reviews; audiences compare it to 'Saiyyara'
Synopsis
'Ek Din' arrives with middling audience sentiment. While the film's music draws praise and one emotional scene resonates, viewers fault weak writing, inconsistent performances, and a narrative that borrows too heavily from 'Saiyyara' without adding fresh perspective. The film's box office trajectory will depend on whether word-of-mouth can shift from cautious to compelling.
Key Takeaways
'Ek Din' starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi opened to mixed-to-negative audience reactions across Mumbai theatres .
Multiple viewers compared the film unfavourably to 'Saiyyara' , citing weak execution and lack of originality.
The film's music and soundtrack emerged as its strongest element, earning unanimous praise from audiences.
Audience ratings ranged from 2.5 to 3 stars , with music credited as the sole reason for higher scores.
A particular emotional scene between the female lead and her mother was cited as the film's most impactful moment.
'Ek Din', the romantic drama starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, has opened to divided audience reactions across Mumbai theatres, with many drawing unfavourable comparisons to the 2010 film 'Saiyyara' and citing weak execution. In exclusive interactions with IANS across multiple cinema halls, viewers expressed disappointment with the film's narrative depth and originality, though a small segment found merit in its music and isolated emotional moments.
What audiences disliked
A viewer from Mira Road theatre expressed frank disappointment, stating: "I came in with a lot of excitement, but honestly, there was nothing exciting about it. The only exciting thing for me was the popcorn because the ticket definitely wasn't worth it." She rated the film 2.5 stars, crediting that score solely to the soundtrack. Another patron from the same venue noted that the second half felt particularly weak and observed: "At some points, it felt like a cheap copy of 'Saiyaara'. The first half was still better. I didn't find the second half that special."
Acting and chemistry concerns
Viewers acknowledged Junaid Khan's introverted on-screen presence as relatable but faulted the writing for failing to elevate the pairing. One attendee remarked that while Khan's introversion resonated personally, "the writing was quite weak." Sai Pallavi's performance drew particular scrutiny, with one viewer stating: "I really don't know what happened to Sai Pallavi this time." The consensus was that the lead chemistry, despite moments of authenticity, lacked the spark necessary to carry a romantic drama.
Where the film found traction
The film's music emerged as its strongest element. Viewers unanimously praised the soundtrack, with one noting: "The songs were definitely the highlight of the film." An audience member from an Andheri theatre cited a particular emotional scene between the female lead and her mother as genuinely moving: "That scene made me emotional and even brought tears to my eyes. I loved that scene the most."
Mixed verdicts
A small fraction of viewers offered cautiously positive assessments. One patron rated it three stars, appreciating the direction and musical composition: "It's a romantic film, and I liked it. The direction was good, and the songs were nice too." However, even sympathetic viewers acknowledged the film as an "okay" watch rather than a standout entry in the romantic-drama category.
The film's opening weekend performance will likely hinge on word-of-mouth momentum, currently tilted toward caution rather than enthusiasm.
Point of View
The writing has failed. Junaid Khan shows promise, but Sai Pallavi's uneven work here raises questions about script choice, not talent.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Ek Din' and who stars in it?
'Ek Din' is a romantic drama film starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi . It opened in theatres in May and has received mixed audience reactions, with many comparing it unfavourably to the 2010 film 'Saiyyara'.
What did audiences dislike about 'Ek Din'?
Audiences cited weak writing, mediocre acting performances, and poor execution as key drawbacks. Many felt the film was derivative of 'Saiyyara' and lacked originality. The second half was particularly criticised as unengaging.
What was the strongest aspect of 'Ek Din'?
The film's music and soundtrack received unanimous praise from viewers, with songs described as the highlight. A specific emotional scene between the female lead and her mother also resonated emotionally with audiences.
How did audiences rate 'Ek Din'?
Audience ratings ranged from 2.5 to 3 stars out of 5, with viewers crediting the higher scores solely to the film's music rather than its narrative or performances.
How was the chemistry between Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi?
Viewers acknowledged Junaid Khan's introverted on-screen presence as relatable but felt the writing failed to elevate the pairing. Sai Pallavi's performance drew particular scrutiny, with audiences expressing disappointment in her work on the film.
