When Farhan Akhtar debuted as a director with Dil Chahta Hai, it created a sensation among the youth and the film is still remembered as one of the finest youth films of Bollywood. And now, Farhan Akhtar debuts as an actor in ‘Rock On!!’, another youth-oriented film. So does ‘Rock On!!’ succeed in creating the same trendsetting effect done by Dil Chahta Hai? The answer is Yes and No! Yes, because it has a novel way of direction and execution. And No because it moves at a snail place and drags a lot at places. But yet, ‘Rock On!!’ provides a refreshing experience, which is why it should be watched, at least once!
It’s the story of four friends-Aditya (Farhan Akhtar), Joe (Arjun Rampal), KD (Purab Kohli) and Rob (Luke Kenny). They form a rock band and name it Magik. They are young, energetic, and have a dream of becoming the most popular rock band of the country. They get a chance to fulfill their dream when they take part in a rock music contest. Luck was on their side and they win that contest! Being the winning band, they are given a chance to make their own album.
10 years pass. Aditya is a successful investment banker now and is married to Sakshi (Prachi Desai). KD gets into his father’s jewellery business, Rob works with music director Anu Malik, while Joe runs a guitar shop and also manages his family’s fishing business along with his wife Deby (Shahana Goswami). The four of them are no longer in touch with each other. Their band ‘Magik’ has broke up. All of them are busy with their own lives, but are not at all happy and satisfied.
What went wrong between them, inspite that they won the contest? Do they get a chance to make their own album? And why did ‘Magik’ break up?
‘Rock On!!’ has an innovative style of storytelling and this can be observed in a lot of sequences in the movie. For instance, the flashback is not shown together-it is shown in segments, leading to the story having two tracks-one, showing the present circumstances and the other, the flashback. All this made ‘Rock On!!’ a refreshing experience.
‘Rock On!!’ begins wonderfully and there a lot of rocking sequences in the first as well as the second half. However, the film has its share of flaws too, preventing ‘Rock On!!’ to be the ultimate classic. The entire film moves at a snail pace and drags a lot at places. Also, the climax was well-shot and interesting and fails to create the much-needed impact.
‘Rock On!!’ left me a little dissatisfied, but I am not able to figure it out the exact reason for it. The movie was slow and dragging, but at the same time interesting and each scene was important. If the editor would have chopped off some scenes to pace up the film, then the film would have not retained its impact. So, somewhere the film goes wrong but can’t seem to think any possible reason for it. This is the first time something like this has happened with me!
But inspite of its flaws, ‘Rock On!!’ needs to be applauded for its direction, performances and music. The film is an excellent example of qualitative cinema and matches upto the global standards!
Now to the performances! Farhan Akhtar does a great job as an actor and leaves you spell bound with his marvelous performance! In some sequences, he was just outstanding! And he has sung 6 songs as well! He does a good job as a singer, but his hoarse voice prevents him from being an excellent vocalist. But though, he needs to be applauded for trying his best! Excellent job, Farhan!
Arjun Rampal was terrific! He gives a wonderful performance, like the one he gave in Om Shanti Om. What works is his new look in the film-long hair, moustache, wearing a T-shirt, carrying a guitar wherever he goes, and eyes full of sorrow and dissatisfaction-it was just brilliant! He has always been doing a good job and with ‘Rock On!!’, he’ll be given more respect and will surely get more roles!
Purab Kohli does an equally good job. He had already proved his worth in My Brother Nikhil, Woh Lamhe and Awarapan and with ‘Rock On!!’, he goes a step ahead! Luke Kenny gets ample scope in the second half and was brilliant too.
Prachi Desai looks beautiful and acts confidently. Watch out for her brilliant performance in the scene in the 2nd half when she comes back home and sees a new avatar of her husband-notice her pleasantly surprised expression and her beautiful smile-just fantastic! Shahana Goswami also surprises with her fine performance. Koel Purie was good, but doesn’t get much scope. Anu Malik was also there and was unintentionally funny! Others do a good job.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy delivers one of their finest works of their careers! Music was an indispensable part of the film and a wonderful music with rock element was necessary, and the trio carries out their responsibility amazingly. All songs were nicely composed, but two best songs are undoubtedly the title song and ‘Pichle Saat Dino Mein’.
Jason West’s cinematography was unique in some scenes. Dialogues were good, but the best one is-“Thik hai. Mein gale mein patta baandh ke tumhare pass hi rahoonga!!”
Abhishek Kapoor and Pubali Chaudhary’s screenplay was interesting and novel in many scenes. Abhishek Kapoor, who made the forgettable flick Aryan, is back and how! His direction was wonderful and what worked is it was innovative and that’s what works! A brilliant job and waiting for his next flick!
Some of the best scenes of the movie:
1. The songs ‘Socha Hai’ ‘Pichle Saat Dino Mein’, title track and ‘Sinbad the Sailor’.
2. Sakshi meeting KD for the first time
3. The music contest scene
4. Sakshi discovering old photographs of Aditya
5. Aditya’s surprise birthday party
6. The intermission point (Excellent!)
7. Aditya getting back into his form
8. The quartet signing the contract and shooting for their album
9. Aditya, KD and Joe discovering about Rob’s secret
10. The climax
On the whole, ‘Rock On!!’ provides a refreshing experience. It’s unique and very different from the usual films, releasing week after week! Unfortunately, it has its flaws but yet, it needs to be
applauded since it is an excellent qualitative cinema and matches upto the global standards!