“Sai Pallavi’s Hindi debut was always going to be scrutinized harder than most — and Ek Din, a romantic drama set in Japan produced by Aamir Khan, mostly holds up. The second half, critics agree, does the heavy lifting.”
Ek Din released on May 1, 2026, marking Sai Pallavi’s debut in Hindi cinema. The film, produced by Aamir Khan Productions and directed by a fresh voice, pairs Pallavi with Junaid Khan (Aamir Khan’s son, in his second film). Set in Japan, the romantic drama has received mixed-to-positive reviews — with critics praising Sai Pallavi’s screen presence and the film’s second-half emotional depth, while flagging a slow first act. The film opened in a three-way clash with Raja Shivaji and The Devil Wears Prada 2 on Maharashtra Day.
Aamir Khan producing a film starring his son Junaid and pairing him with Sai Pallavi — one of Indian cinema’s most respected performers across languages — is a calculated credibility play. The Japan setting is doing aesthetic work that a domestic backdrop might not have managed: it distances the film from the conventions of Bollywood romance and gives the story permission to be quieter. That’s either exactly what the story needed, or exactly what kept casual audiences at arm’s length. The box office numbers through the first weekend will answer that question clearly.
Sai Pallavi’s Hindi debut is an industry milestone. She is arguably the most critically respected actress in Indian cinema right now across Tamil and Telugu — if Ek Din performs, it opens a new market for her that will completely change the scale of her choices. For Junaid Khan, this is his second feature and arguably his real test: Aamir Khan’s shadow is long, and a second middling performance could redirect his trajectory.
The Japan setting is not just aesthetic — Ek Din is reportedly the first Hindi film shot almost entirely on location in Japan without a disguised backdrop. That’s a production distinction that deserves more attention than it’s getting amid the opening-weekend noise.
• Release Date: May 1, 2026
• Cast: Sai Pallavi, Junaid Khan
• Director: TBA (debut director)
• Producer: Aamir Khan Productions
• Setting: Filmed on location in Japan
• Platform (OTT): Amazon Prime Video (India and International) — date TBA
Q: Is Ek Din Sai Pallavi’s first Hindi film?
A: Yes. Ek Din marks Sai Pallavi’s Hindi cinema debut, having previously starred in acclaimed Tamil and Telugu productions.
Q: Who is in the cast of Ek Din?
A: Ek Din stars Sai Pallavi and Junaid Khan in the lead roles. The film is produced by Aamir Khan Productions.
Q: Is Ek Din worth watching?
A: Critics are mixed-to-positive: the second half is widely praised, while the first half has been flagged for pacing issues. Sai Pallavi’s performance has received universal praise.
Q: Where will Ek Din stream on OTT?
A: An OTT date has not been confirmed. Given Aamir Khan Productions’ distribution history, Amazon Prime Video is the likely destination for India and internationally.
