Karan Johar is amused by speculations that he changed the title of his Valentine Day date flick from Short Term Shaadi to Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu because he didn't want to embarrass his leading lady Kareena Kapoor, who is planning to tie the knot with beau Saif Ali Khan next year. “We had
initially decided on Short Term Shaadi because the film is about a one-night contractual marriage. But on reflection, we realised that this was only peripheral to the coming-of-age story of two people and would dilute the impact of the story. In retrospect, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu seems more apt,” he reasons.
He admits that while today most marriages last just a night, he’s confident that won’t be the case with Saif and Kareena’s real life marriage. "Bebo (Kareena Kapoor) is like a sister, and I share a warm equation with Saif. I wish them a happy, long-term shaadi (marriage),” asserts the filmmaker.
The present title has been borrowed from a chartbuster from Khel Khel Mein (1975). “I love the song and was oscillating between Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and the next line, Donon Mile Iss Tarah as a title,” says Karan. “I’ve grown up on the Rishi-Neetu Jodi (pairing), no one can recreate their magic, but having seen the final cut last KaranSaturday, I’ll say that Imran-Kareena come a close second.”
He points out that Kareena, who’s been a star for 11 years, made a well-liked match with Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots (2009), and is equally convincing with his younger nephew. “That speaks for her versatility. Having seen Imran and Kareena together, I’d like to sign them up quickly for another film, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu 2,” he smiles.
“No, I’m not thinking of a sequel. There’s no scope of taking this story forward but I’d definitely like to take this pairing forward.” He admits that the topic of Saif-Kareena 2012 wedding will come up during the promotions of Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu but leaves it to the couple to answer the Where, When And How queries.
He says, “I’ll stick to explaining why I decided to stick to Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and requested Ramesh Taurani to part with it. He had reserved it for his Ritesh Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza lovestory that has now been titled Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya, but graciously let me replay my favourite track.”