Rock On is not so much a film on rock music as it is about friendships lost and found. Quite like Dil Chahta Hai. It’s not about the business, struggles or politics of cutting an album. Of course, there are the throwaway references: that poster of Jim Morrison or the sign of the horn—the fave hand gesture of rock musicians and their fans. But the film essentially focuses on the human angle—how a rock group wins a competition, signs a deal and then falls apart due to ego hassles, only to reunite ten years later for a last concert together. No new twist in the tale. So what helps the film reach out in the big way that it has? The characters, their relationships, the bonding and companionship—all of it the audience can identify with and feel for. The film has been pitched as a "youth" film but a big set of its followers could well be those in their 30s and 40s, people who may have become successful but have had to give up on their dreams and ideals on the way up, much like the protagonists.
For his first outing as a director, Abhishek Kapoor is sure-footed though the DCH hangover is evident in the minimal, conversational dialogues, the unhurried way in which the scenes unfold, even a plot device like friends uniting in the face of a maudlin death or the last few shots showing their togetherness. Even the funniest scenes—that of the group singing at a dandiya night or breaking into "I will survive"—are a quiet riot, like DCH.
With their get-ups, those rings and bracelets, the attitude and appeal, the four guys look and behave like a rock band. Farhan may be off key at times but his gravelly voice is quite distinctive. His acting too is uneven but eventually engaging. The star of the show, however, is Shahana Goswami who plays Debbie, the fiery wife of Arjun Rampal—uncomplaining yet nagging, strong yet vulnerable.
The purists might diss Shankar Ehsaan Loy music but it is catchy to the core—specially the title track, Socha hai and Kabhi khud pe hansa main, kabhi khud pe roya. Javed Akhtar too lets his pen go wild and proves that you can rock in Hindi with lyrics like Meri laundry ka ek bill, ek aadhi padhi novel, ek ladki ka phone number, mere kaam ka ek paper. The package gets complete courtesy Jason West who films the concerts brilliantly—the energy does spill over.
High Fives
Bollywood1. Rock On
2. Bachna Ae Haseeno
3. Singh is Kinng
4. Phoonk
5. CKkompany
Hollywood
1. Tropic Thunder
2. Babylon A.D.
3. The Dark Knight
4. The House Bunny
5. Traitor
Country Album
1. Love on the Inside (Sugarland)
2. Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)
3. What Am I Waiting For (Heidi Newfield)
4. 35 Biggest Hits (Toby Keith)
5. Carnival Ride (Carrie Underwood)
Courtesy: Film Information
