BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN
As the curtains prepare to rise for Junaid Khan’s highly anticipated theatrical outing, Ek Din, on May 1, 2026, the industry is buzzing with a familiar skepticism. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, the film is an official remake of the 2016 Thai romantic hit One Day. While the project marks a significant Hindi debut for South star Sai Pallavi, it also signals Aamir Khan’s intensifying “obsession” with official adaptations, a path many believe is fraught with risk following the massive debacle of Laal Singh Chaddha.
The “Frame-by-Frame” Syndrome
The concern now isn’t just that Aamir is remaking films, but how he is doing it. Critics and fans on platforms like Reddit have pointed out that his recent hit Sitaare Zameen Par, released on June 20, 2025, appeared to be a frame-by-frame copy of the Spanish film Campeones. History seems to be repeating itself with Ek Din; early viewers have noted that the trailer for Junaid’s film mirrors the original Thai One Day trailer shot-for-shot, from the snowy landscapes of Japan to the specific character beats. In an era of globalization where the original is just a click away on OTT, audiences are questioning what fresh perspective “Mr. Perfectionist” is actually bringing if the soul of the film is a literal carbon copy.
A Legacy Built on Borrowed Stories
While Aamir is now vocal about official remakes, his career has been anchored in adaptations for decades. In the pre-Internet era, these inspirations often flew under the radar:
- Akele Hum Akele Tum: A direct, uncredited lift from the Hollywood classic Kramer vs. Kramer.
- Mann: An emotional rework of An Affair to Remember.
- Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin: Based on It Happened One Night.
- Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar: Largely inspired by the 1979 American film Breaking Away.
- Ghulam: A remake of On the Waterfront.
- Ghajini: A remake of a Tamil hit, itself famously inspired by Christopher Nolan’s Memento.
A Casting Conundrum
Beyond the remake fatigue, Ek Din faces a significant logic hurdle: the casting of Junaid Khan. The original story relies on an “invisible” IT professional so average that he is forgotten by his colleagues. However, many believe casting the 6-foot-tall, conventionally handsome Junaid is a fundamental mistake. It is a tough sell for audiences to believe that someone with his stature and screen presence would be “unnoticeable” in a corporate office. This casting choice, combined with the “remake” label, has created a wave of skepticism before the first show even begins.
The Changing Indian Palate
The record-breaking success of Dhurandhar proved that the tide is turning. Indian viewers are now craving real, grounded stories originating from their own soil, not recycled plots from Thailand or Hollywood. They want authenticity that smells of Indian earth, making Aamir’s reliance on foreign scripts feel increasingly out of step with the times.
A Silver Lining in the Snow
Despite the “remake” baggage and the casting debates, there is a silver lining. Aamir Khan has a legendary track record of understanding the emotional pulse of the Indian family. If Ek Din can move past its frame-by-frame origins and tap into the raw chemistry between Junaid and Sai Pallavi, it might just surprise the cynics. Perhaps Junaid’s performance will prove that even in a familiar story, a new face can bring a much-needed spark to the silver screen.
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
