Rock On : Movie Review

As a kid, none of us dreamt of becoming an investment banker when we grow up. Cricketer, actors, rockstars, astronauts, that’s what we all wanted to be. Yet we end up being software engineers, or, like Aditya from Rock On, an investment banker. Thats the theme touched upon by Rock On.

Rock On starts with a promise. Right from the time its promos have been on air, the promise was apparent. With Farhan Akhtar in the lead role, the film promised some novelty in terms of content. I had been looking forward for this one, especially coz I wanted to know what could be compelling enough for Farhan Akhtar to plunge into acting. I am a huge fan of Akhtar and have liked the treatment given to films by him. I specially liked the way he moulded Don.

So, with a rock song, the film begins. The story of four wanna-be rockstars. That much was evident from the promos itself. What’s good about the film is that it delivers what it promises, at least in the first half. There is a rock band. Four rock-crazy men. Discussions around music. Yes including a few technical terms, too. But all that is done in a way that has the viewer engrossed in the cinema. The drama is subtle. All that is needed.

I specially liked the way the film is written. The treatment given is a non-linear one. So the story progresses in present, with regular dosages of relevant flash-backs. I kind-of became a fan of the screenplay writer.

The story progresses through the life of each character, individually. As I said, properly placed in between are the flashback scenes, with all the four together. Yes, the story holds your attention. Nothing is known fully until the intermission. Not about the characters themselves, neither about their past, together. You keep on wondering about things that could have happened. You start thinking and guessing what might have happened. The first half involves you. The songs in between are very well placed too, and have a fresh feel to them. I specially liked “Meri Laundry Ka Ek Bill”. By the time first half ends I almost started feeling that was my story. Meant to be doing something else. Ended up doing something else.

Post interval, the things start being unconvincing. Although I’ll blame the writers for it, but there is a fault of the director here, too. The events in the second half, are just not as convincing. Not that there is some bigger problem with them, just that they did not looked as convincing, as the entire first half did. The first half did seem like a real story, the second half however, looks like a cheesy regular Bollywood film. It becomes too predictable, and at times, boring, too. The sparks that should have emerged from the re-assembling of the major star cast, aren’t seen anywhere. Seems the director-writer lost it in the second half. However, its not completely un-watchable.

Farhan Akhtar can act. And act well. He was restrained, subtle and just perfect in a role that required all this. As an investment banker and as a rock-singer, he is good. He has also sung 6 of the 9 songs in the film.

Arjun Rampal was good. Although, could have been better. After Don, its his second film with Farhan, though this time as a co-actor. He has a long way to go. With roles like this, where the onus is not on one star, he can prove his mettle. The way Saif and Arshad Warsi did. Saif later made a comeback to solo-hero films.

Purab Kohli was charming. This guy deserves far better roles.

Luke Kenny as Rob acted well, too. In fact the way he enacts the desperation in his character was so real, you could feel it.

Prachi Desai is a nice find. From TV, to films, is a big break, and Prachi has made good use of it. Though there are areas she needs to work on, she will definitely benefit from the success of the film.

Overall, a good one-time watch. Had the second half been as good as the first half, the film could have been an absolute must watch. Technically, I am struggling between 2.5 and 3 stars for Rock On. Ok, benefit of doubt. 3 stars from me.

Chalegi?

The promos were good. People were looking forward to watch Farhan in a film based on Rock music. And the film is watchable, at least one. Though there is a tough competition this weekend from C Kkompany, Mukhbir, Chamku, Wall-E and Wanted, none has garnered as much interest, among the Bollywood films, as Rock On. This should give a good stat for the film. Also, the film will do much better in multiplexes and A-centers than in single-screens and B and C centers.