Just as you had desperately wanted Raj to end up with Simran in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, you almost will best man Akash on to win Barsha’s hand in Premer Kahini. Though it has several flashes of the Shah Rukh-Kajol-starrer, director Ravi Kinnagi adds novelty to the script and makes Premer Kahini an engaging watch.

Dev (Akash) is head over heels in love with Koel (Barsha), who is already engaged to Jisshu (Goutam). And just like Shah Rukh, Dev manages to impress Koel’s colonel father (Ranjit Mullick trying to do an Amrish Puri). Only here, Dev jogs with his would-be father-in-law, instead of feeding pigeons. Plus, Dev wears a bunny called Devdas on his arm instead of a guitar.

The DDLJ sameness doesn’t end there — the lovebirds romance on the terrace, night after night, like Raj and Simran did. They sing and dance in the rain, around trees and on mountains sporting trendy jackets and chiffon saris.

Dev is a showstealer from the start. He woos Koel — and also the viewers — with his easy charm. Koel keeps up the coy lady act. Jisshu’s chocolatey looks manages to draw many “oohs” and “aahs” from the college-going crowd at the evening show in Bharati.

What doesn’t work is the second half that suddenly turns melodramatic from the moment Jisshu enters. The fight scenes are unnecessary, so is Dev’s beer-guzzling act and Koel shedding bucketful of tears sitting lonely in her room. The long dialogues between Mullick and Dev are boring too.

T. Naidu’s cinematography captures some brilliant visuals of Hyderabad and Shakleshpur in Karnataka, and of course the pitter-patter that enhances the romantic moments.

Jeet Ganguly’s music has the right beat to get you humming when you walk out of the hall. And the title song rocks!