Contrary to what you might be led to believe, this movie is not about rock music. Well, not just rock music, at any rate. It’s about human relationships - friendship, love, ego clashes, drifting apart and getting back together, and it’s about going after your dreams. Doing just what your heart prompts you to do. As the tag line says, "Live Your Dream." I loved it all.
I found the essential ingredients here which I need in order to like a movie - being able to laugh with the characters when they laugh, and being able to cry when they do. Farhan did an absolutely hilarious rendition of Saanson Ki Zaroorat Hai Jaise at which we all burst out laughing. I’d like to know why that does not feature in the soundtrack. But all the tracks that do feature in the soundtrack are totally amazing. From the whimsically worded Pichle Saat Dinon Mein and Socha Hai to the deep, meaningful Tum Ho Toh and Phir Dekhiye, all the songs strike a chord with the listeners. They’re all very hummable.
The movie is distinctly reminiscent of Dil Chahta Hai and Jhankaar Beats, both of which are among my firm favourites which I’ve seen dozens of times over. Even so, it has a distinct appeal that is all its own. It tells you stuff that you already know, but it does it in a way in which you like hearing it again. The story is really predictable in most parts, but it still keeps you interested. Towards the end, at the second talent hunt where the four lead characters entered their band, Magik, I could tell that Farhan was going to sing Tum Ho Toh on stage, but I still got all misty-eyed when he started. Everybody could tell that Arjun Rampal would eventually come and join the rest of the gang on the stage, but we were still moved when he actually did.
Lovely movie. Teaches you stuff about being friends. About staying friends. About living your life to the fullest. The way you want to. Doing exactly what your heart desires. Keeping track of the important stuff in your life, in your relationships, and letting go of the trivial stuff.