Paragon Pictures International`s Ek Chhotisi Love Story is the story of infatuation and sexual awakening of a teenager. A young boy (Aditya Seal) is infatuated by a girl (Manisha Koirala) much older than him. Misinterpreting his infatuation as love, he keeps peeping in her house through his telescope and is attracted by her sex appeal. He even sees her making love to her boyfriend.

One day, he confronts the girl and tells her that he loves her. Understanding his plight, the girl takes him to her house and explains to him that what he feels for her is not love. Without indulging in intercourse, she educates him about sex. This makes the boy feel so guilty that he slits his wrist and has to be hospitalised. It is now the girl`s turn to be consumed by guilt pangs. Finally, all`s well when the boy comes to the girl to apologise.

What would have otherwise been a sensitive art film has been turned into a sensational commercial film with the addition of four semi-pornographic scenes. Without those scenes, the film remains tasteful for the elite audience, but the voyeuristic pleasure of the four scenes makes the film one for the masses.The first half has hardly any dialogues. It has bold scenes for the masses and a couple of light scenes too. The second half has its share of sex-laden innuendos. But once the boy learns his lesson in the girl`s house, the film becomes a drag. The last about 20 minutes are terribly slow and boring. Even otherwise, the film moves at a snail`s pace. Lack of dialogues adds to the boredom at times. However, the shock value due to the four scenes is tremendous.

Manisha Koirala lives the role of the single, bold and ultra-modern city girl living all alone. She is very good. Aditya Seal is extremely natural as the teenager on the threshold of adulthood. His innocent appearance suits the character beautifully. Saroj Bhargava is effective in the role of Aditya`s grandmother. Ranvir Shorey has no worthwhile role except to make love to Manisha. Masood Akhtar stands out from among the handful of supporting artistes.

Shashilal Nair`s scripting and direction are appropriate but he should`ve maintained a faster tempo and laced the drama with comedy for universal appeal. His addition of the four sex scenes is masterly as it enhances the commercial value of the film about a hundred times! The film has no songs (which is a drawback). Background score (Arvind Nirmal) is alright. Camerawork is pretty good.

On the whole, low-budget Ek Chhotisi Love Story has bold scenes to titillate and a sensational controversy behind it to draw in the crowds. Having taken a fantastic start, it will be an excellent money-spinner even though it does not have sustaining power. Ladies audience for the film will be minimal. 90% of its audience will be men and 80% of its business will be from cities.