Some time back, I used to wear a T-shirt with the slogan "I might be a dreamer, but I am not the only one" , it was a quote by John Lennon, prompting my friend to ask me if I was a Lennon fan. Well Lennon or not, the quote does reflect me in a way.
I strongly believe that one should dream, and try to follow it. At times some dreams come true, at times they do not, but there is no harm in it. Some of us just have a dream, but we are unable to pursue it, due to many factors. But there are some who go all the way to achieve their dreams. They are willing to hit it out, face the struggle and go the entire length to make their dream come true.
Rock On is a story of four such friends who try to make their dreams come true. Rock On is the story of 4 Men, Adi alias Aditya Shroff( Farhan Akhtar), Joe alias Joe Masceranhas( Arjun Rampal), KD aka Killer Drum( Purab Kohli) and Rob( Kenny Luke). The 4 were part of a rock band called Magik, but fell out due to ego clashes.
In the present, Adi is a succesful investment banker, living in a plush penthouse with a beautiful wife Sakshi( Prachi Desai, cute and charming). He has everything one could ask for, but he still feels an emptiness in his life, becoming a career obsessed workaholic. Joe spends his time idling away, teaching guitar to the neighborhood kids, while his wife Debbie( Shahana Goswami), runs the family busines and household. KD now looks after his family’s jewellry business, though he hates it, while Rob is now a composer doing jingles and tunes.
A chance meeting between Sakshi and KD, and then Sakshi discovering about Adi’s rock band past, triggers things. As she looks at another side of Adi, much different to his usual career obsessed, workaholic ways, and discovers the truth about him, she makes an attempt to reunit the friends who have now fallen apart. Will the friends be reunited? Will the rock band Magik, again work? Will the charm return back to Adi and Sakshi’s married life, which otherwise seems loveless? Well just watch the movie.
There was this biography of Lance Armstrong called Its Not About the Bike, where the former cycling champion, deals with his rebellious childhood, his fight with cancer and his life on a personal life. The book had less to do with cycling and was in fact more about how Armstrong had to battle the personal demons in him. In the same way Rock On, is not much about the band Magik. In fact some of the lyrics are the kind no self respecting rocker would ever sing. If you do try to see this from a rock fan’s point of view, the movie has far too many loopholes.
The scene where the band is told by the recording company executive, to include one wedding remix song, so that it goes with the public taste, and the band members signing on the agreement reluctantly, seems a bit drawn. In reality, rock bands would be grateful to have just one single released, and also many rock bands do end up making crap songs, just for the public taste. Also we really dont get to see the rock band doing anything close to what a real rock band does. Just some dialogues about chords, and some references thrown in here and there to Jim Morrison.
But as I told, the movie is not about the rock band, per se, and should be seen that way. The rock band here is just a metaphor, or just a background, for the larger picture, that is follow your dreams. And on that scale, the movie works really well. The scenes are quite naturally filmed, though there is a lot of Dil Chahta Hai hangover. Director Abhisek Kapoor, who made a forgettable Aryan, is in his total elements here. The scene where the friends reunite in an old run down studio, is wonderfully picturized. Also the scene where Sakshi discovers the truth about Adi’s past. The way the 4 main characters are introduced is also skillfully done, and of course the feel good climax. The movie does seem to have Farhan Akhtar’s influence, though he is not the director, the way the flashbacks keep zooming in and out, and intercutting with the present. While director Abhishek Kapoor, does a fairly good job, me feels that a large part of the movie was ghost directed by Farhan himself.
And the other aspect where the movie really worked for me, was the characterization. All the main characters were really well fleshed out and natural. Adi the practical guy, who feels one must compromise to get ahead, Joe, the idealist, a misfit in today’s world, KD the fun loving Gujju, who loves to flirt and Rob the seemingly laid back casual bloke, who in fact harbors a dark secret. And though a guy’s movie, even the female characters are well etched here. Debbie, especially, an aspiring dress designer, who gave up her career, to look after her husband’s family business, and who runs the entire household. In fact it would have been tempting to cast her as a foul mouthed shrew, but what we see is a normal, woman just living her life. And so is Prachi, who does not end up like a wall flower, but some one who is totally critical to the entire movie.
Farhan Akhtar makes a great debut as an actor, totally natural and effortless. Cant say the same about his vocals, not so great. Arjun Rampal, after appearing in countless mediocre movies and roles, comes up with a surprisingly effective and touching performance as the idealist Joe.
Purab Kohli, is brilliant as the fun loving, flirty KD, and he also does well in the serious scenes, especially when he discovers about Rob’s secret, and when he is furious with Rob for dropping out. What’s with Channel V, by the way, Ranvir Shorey, Vinay Pathak and now Purab, they seem to have a steady stream of talent? Luke Kenny, is also superb as the laid back Rob, while Prachi Desai, is cute, charming, and puts in a lovely performance as Sakshi. And Shahana Goswami is just outstanding as Debbie. Both Prachi and Shahana are like a breath of fresh air, in an industry stuffed with plastic Barbie dolls like Katrina and Deepika.
Shankar Ehsaan Loy, come up with a really wonderful score, "Tum Ho Tum" , "Sindbad the Sailor", "Socha Hai" are my favorites. I was despairing of decent movies comming out from Bollywood this year, but Aamir, Mumbai Meri Jaan and now Rock On, have somewhat restored my faith.