Rock On... Rocks Hard..

Movie – Rock On !

Theatre – Fame Malad

Date – 7^th September

Rating - 9.5/10.

If DCH carved out a genre of its own, Rock on! enhances it. Simple story line, detailed characterizations and superb rock music (with all that riffs and a soft number to add to that) , these are what makes the movie ROCK. Though the movie was initially marketed as Farhan’s entry into acting, his presence definitely seems to have rubbed on the director Abhishek Kapoor. For someone who has made the long forgotten Aryan, this is a definite surprise. The film maker has struck the perfect chord with his audience from the introductory scene with the picturisation of “Socha Kabhi” till the climax. The characters have been extremely consistent- a rarity in Indian cinema.

The characters are so much the people we meet daily, that you can almost feel their breath on screen. Needless to say, their passion for music is written over their eyes. Their dull and drab existence now contrasting with their care free days of youth is so brilliantly portrayed. Purab Kohli is the dark horse. He seems to have an extraordinary sense of humor, a lot better that Saif in DCH. Scene after scene is captivates us with his witty lines or with his foolery. The one scene where he dances at the launch party is brilliant. Farhan is hot and handsome ( remember that bathroom scene) and as a rock star he steals the thunder. Though i wondered whatever happened to his voice in the scene near the interval where his wife confronts him about his past. Farhan's voice suits so well for rock. Using his voice was a gamble, but it lent lot credibility to the film. Infact you wonder if prachi also sang her lines for..."ajeeb dasatan hai yeh.." The casting of Arjun Rampal is also good and the role perfectly suits his abilities. No great range of emotions only a big serious look, fire in his eyes and good biceps. But wife in the movie, played by Sahana is in stark contrast. She is superb as a tried and frustrated wife, toiling the whole day, while her husband, wanders around unable to accept that he is not playing rock any more. Prachi is very cute as the doting wife whose only interest seems to be her husband’s happiness. Even the media barons are great. Especially the first one, who seems to have been inspired by T-series. Remember his crony saying, “Hum to Rishi Kapoor ke sath Karz…” I saw that baron guy in Manto Ismat Hariz hai.. he was great in that.. He also comes in Loins of Punjab and Chini kam..

Music is fabulous and tries to cover various forms of rock music, the lyrics stick to the sensibilities of rock genre. Choreography is fabulous and makes the rock band look so authentic. Whether it is Farhan jumping into the crowd or some subtle movements like Arjun holding the pick in his mouth and strumming on his guitar with bare fingers. Obviously only Remo could have managed to impart such details to the film.

The writing is so good. The thing i was glad to note is that there was no scene of "woh kaun thi..." guess prachi was sensible to note that such memories are best buried and forgotten.

This movie is better than DCH because the characters have better depth, and all have been given sufficient room in the plot. But I only wish the band was given a better name.

Some memorable scenes –

1. 1. Introductory song – Kya tune socha kabhi

2. 2. Farhan coming out of the bathroom in a towel. Look at the cuts that he has… (Im straight..)

3. 3. “I was not sure whether you would be happy to know I am pregnant!” Prachi to Farhan.

4. 4. Getting nervous during Chakravyuh’s performance.

5. 5. Purab doing a jig at the launch party.

6. 6. Prachi saying she only knows Hindi songs.

7. 7. The climax with its songs.

The good part is that indian cinema is now making more movies which seem to cater to wider sensibilities, whether it is TZP or even low budget films like Aamir. Guess the film makers are realising that big budgets, big stars alone dont make hits, films can be a hit or a flop at the drawing board itself with a bad script, unless one resorts to high decible marketing like singh is king.

I am looking forward to see this movie again, but this time it would be on DVD. The ticket prices are now worth a gram of platinum... !

             PS  - 14th Sept - was very tempted to watch Rock On over A Wednesday....