Rockstar feat. Rocky Ranbir

Few years back in 2008, a movie by the name of ‘Rock On’ bought immense popularity of band music. What Chetan Bhagat did to English writing, Rock On leveraged the same feel in youth with its music (and especially lyrics). No matter whether you are good or bad, you are expressive for your emotions, the antidote to the monotonous work life which you do for money!

Some definitions. What do you understand by a ROCKSTAR?
A rockstar is anybody who overcomes his conscience to get his passion fulfilled and if his passion is true, we say it’s ROCKing.
Meanwhile this Rockstar deserves 4/5 rocking stars.

Story –
Janardhan Jakhad sings in Delhi University and at Delhi’s bus stops so that people don’t feel bored. Quite kiddish but yes! he is. So, when the canteen manager tells him to undergo pain to become like Jim Morisson, he takes it quite literally. He innocently flirts with a Kashmeri ballet beauty, Nargis Fakri (Heer). Post some attempts, the story goes into Jab We Met mode (travelling bindaas and then one of them falling in love with other). This is the forte of Imitiaz (director) and he is successful this time too. The story in second half reaches abroad in Prague, with Heer falling ill and JJ aka Jordan growing in music and violent clashes with media. Both meet & share some past moments but the love angle falls weak. When the movie ends, you feel the climax is not convincing (Imitiaz’s Love Aajkal!).

Star Cast –
Rockstar Ranbir – This is his best performance. With this movie, he has officially entered the league of extraordinary superstars who ride millions on their performance. Rockstar belongs to Ranbir in every true sense.
Nargis Fakri – satisfies the beauty quotient but fails in passing on her pain to the audience.
Piyush Mishra – can’t miss him to appreciate. Just look his facial expressions in the massage scene.
Kumud Mishra – plays the role of canteen manager. Impressive and believable.
Late Shree Shammi Kapoor – gracefully played the role of a famous Shenai-vaadak. Full of charm.

The music is awesome. AR Rehman along with the versatile voice of Mohit Chauhan has created the music journey quite successfully. The movie builds on music. From acoustic, to sufi, to romantic, to cross-cultural, to instrumental, to live college fest aggression, to a foreign concert performance.
Another point to appreciate is the dressing of Ranbir when he performs as Jordan. The modified redesigned Jawahar Topi rocks and reflects attitude.

Can we, the Indians can be a bit bolder?
Why do we see an unnecessary love angle in every movie? Why do you need heartbreak as a cause of pain? Why can’t Imitiaz Ali relate suffering to today’s youth frustration? Pain from multiple job rejections, failure to get admission, etc could have given a lot of pain for Ranbir to turn Jordan. Its high time quality Indian directors like Vishal Bharadwaj and upcoming ones like Imitiaz Ali take the route of quality over commercial. @Anurag Kashyup – take a lead.

What works: Ranbir, the music journey
What not: the pain punch in the script

SPEAKing PICtures verdict: 1.1.1 = 3 +1 = 4

ps: Tibet flags @ Sadda Haq song…touching