Film Review Rock On

Movie : Rock On!
The movie traverses the simple 'spirit of winning' path that was
followed by films of the sports genre like Chak De India, Goal or for
that matter the director of this film, Abhishek Kapoor's previous
attempt Aryan. The plot outline is obvious for this variety. There's a
committed individual or a team who can't make it big for the first
time. Life gives a second chance and this time is the phase to prove
credentials. What matters in such endeavours is the conviction in
direction to connect with the audience. Rock On scores on that level.


Four friends share a common passion for music and form a rock band
called Magik. Aditya (Farhan Akhtar) is the lead vocalist, Joe (Arjun
Rampal) is the guitarist, KD (Purab Kohli) is the drummer and Rob
(Luke Kenny) handles the keyboard. They get a chance to cut out an
album but things don't work out and the group splits to go their
separate ways.


Exactly after ten years, Aditya's wife Sakshi (Prachi Desai) attempts
to reunite the group. After some initial hiccups and ego clashes, the
band members bond and blend to brew good tunes. Predictably the climax
is set in a rock concert where the band performs to perfection.


Despite such patented predictability, one still relates to Rock On.
You noticeably know that Arjun Rampal would make a late entry in the
climax concert but your heart still goes out on his appearance. You
aren't surprised when one of the band members is diagnosed of cancer
but you still feel for him. That's because the simplicity and
sincerity of the direction and performances touch you.


The film is very slow in the begining, the story catches up speed only
after interval. The film gets into frequent flashback episodes and at
times you are caught unaware on the instance where it ends. Even the
back-story takes a tad bit long to reach to the point where the band
disperses. Unimaginatively the screenplay uses the same scheme of a
rock concert for its first key plot-point and also the climax. But
seemingly that was inevitable since the genre of the film restricts
its creative scope. Also Farhan Akhtar's breakup with his girlfriend
doesn't come across quite convincingly.


On the upside, the musical theme of the film is ably supported by
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's rocking score. For once you don't feel that songs
are forced in a Bollywood film. The fact remains that despite heavy
support of English media, invasion of Rock culture from West,
particularly from USA, the Rock music is still confined to only
Metropolitian cities so I am very sure that this movie will confine
doing business only Metro Centre. It is not only a spoof how a rock
band can merge rock with dandiya to gain some quick money. Yeh to
paise ka saval hai na!


How one wishes the film had more of such lighter moments which would
have accentuated the youthful appeal to Dil Chahta Hai extents. The
director also manages to pull off a subtle satire on Anu Malik, while
casting him at his own expense.


Rock On seems to be clearly designed by Farhan Akhar as his own acting
debut and he doesn't let himself down. Lending voice to all his songs
helps him to get into his character with effortless ease. But to me
Farhan reminds me his father while delivering dialogues.


Arjun Rampal looks mature in his character but isn't quite credible
while handling the guitar. Purab Kohli has a natural flair for comedy
and Luke Kenny is persuasive in his role.


As for as female leads Shahana Goswami as Arjun's wife comes up with
the most compelling act and adds some depth to the drama. Prachi Desai
justifies her poised presence.


It's interesting that director Abhishek Kapoor borrowed heavily from
movie called School Rock, probably he had clear in his mind to address
only Uappy (Urban Youth) thus is a commercial entertainers on subjects
that are not much prevalent in our country. His last film Aryan was on
boxing, a sport not much popular in India and now he tries his hands
on rock culture, which again isn't much recognized here. At least this
time he succeeds in creating a realistic rock feel. Rock On strikes a
chord on that note.
Released on : 29 August 2008
Director : Abhishek Kapoor
Producers : Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar
Banner : Big Pictures, Excel Entertainment
Story Writer : Abhishek Kapoor Screenplay Writers : Abhishek , Pubali Chaudhuri
Dialogue Writer : Farhan Akhtar Music Director : Shankar Ehsaan Loy
Lyricist : Javed Akhtar Playback Singers : Farhan Akhtar, Raman
Mahadevan, Dominque Cerejo, Suraj Jagan, Caralisa Monteiro
Choreographer : Remo Cinematographer : Jason West
Editor : Deepa Bhatia
Farhan Akhtar as Aditya Shroff
Prachi Desai as Sakshi
Arjun Rampal as Joe Mascarenhas
Purab Kolhi as KD
Luke Kenny as Rob
Koel Purie as Devika
Shabana Goswami as Debbie
Nicholette Bird as Tanya