Rock On!!

Okay, let me start of by saying that when I first saw a preview, my expectations were not very high for this movie. However, they don't matter anymore.

As the title aptly suggests, this movie ROCKS! y far one the most different, entertaining and wonderfully surprising films of recent times. Rock On meets, surpasses and blows the expectations of the viewer out of the window. Brilliant.

This movie is one of those rare ones that actually focuses just on the music. It doesn't move of into some romantic tune or dramatic effect. It stays true to it's heart and soul. The Music.

All the actors perform brilliantly with a special mention to Arjun Rampal and Prachi Desai who shines out in her debut film. But best of all is the showstopper. Farhan Akhtar.

This man is a genius! He can sing (only rock!) act and direct (not this one though). Brilliant. By far the shining star of this move. He carries his role out with exceptional ease and actually seems as good as any seasoned actor of a high caliber. Hats off.

In the end, this movie is what it is:

" Brilliant as it is, the message is heard as if in stock, this movieends in bliss, but only after making you ROCK!"

Superb! Watch it and ROCK ON !!!!!

"Rock On!!" is an Indian film about a group of guys who made up a rock/pop band a decade ago. The film begins in the present day and the lead singer of this group, Magik, is now a very successful businessman. He's so wrapped up in his job that he pushes his wife out of his life. She doesn't even know about this past life--and only stumbles upon his being in a band by accident. However, when she does, she contacts his other band mates and tries to get them back together. But Aditya isn't grateful--instead he treats his old friends like they are a part of the past he'd like to keep in the past. Can Aditya come around and finally open up his heart to these guys? And, he's not the only one with problems. Joe loves music and never left the music business...but his wife is a serious detriment and seems bent on squashing his dream. And then there is one other member with a serious problem...one you only learn about late in the film. Can all these problems be worked out so that Magik can once again find the magic?

This film is different from a typical Bollywood film because it's clearly targeted towards a younger and hipper sort of audience. This isn't a complaint---just an observation. I really like the style in which the story was told and the story is enjoyable. The only negatives I noticed are that the story seemed a bit predictable and only offered one big surprise. The other wasn't the fault of the original production but the DVD had serious issues. Instead of playing properly, often the film would play a portion and when it came to the next segment, it would bounce back to the scene menu! This is very odd and I've never had it happen before.

By the way, if you do watch the film, watch Joe when he plays guitar. Every time he does, a hidden wind machine catches his hair and it's actually unintentionally funny.

First of all,I must say I'm not a big fan of Hindi movies.I just see them for fun with friends and that's all.But for Rock On! I was expecting something different and I found it!

The story is so well written and the direction is superb that the 3 hours which seem like an ordeal with other movies went so smooth and effortlessly.The best part for me was to see Farhan Akhtar make his transition from direction to acting & singing.His was perhaps the best debut you could ever imagine.It seemed liked he had been acting for ages and his singing was way above par.Prachi Desai looked beautiful and did her part excellently.Arjun Rampal acted out his role so maturely you could actually relate to it.

Well,I must say this is a Hindi movie not to be missed at all.

Ode to Dil Chahta Hain::

√ Farhan Akhtar plays an extended version of Akash.

√ Arjun Rampal reprises Sid.

√ Turn Dimple Kapadia into a male character and add them into a trio – voila, you have DCH of four!

√ The misunderstanding/ breakup.

√ The final moments before the credits rolls.

√ The past narrated in flashback.

Well, one should appreciate the makers were honest to admit publicly that the movie was DCH Part Deux.

Performances::

√ Farhan Akhtar:: He doesn't falter a bit and delivers an eye-opener performance in terms of the subtle nuances and body language he bring in. Of course, his distinct voice is his his greatest asset. Hindsight, he should have done "Lucky" in Main Hoon Na, at least the role would have been more memorable.

√ Arjun Rampal:: Probably first time one would take notice of his performance as it is very matured and restrained. Lets hope it does what DCH did to Akshaye Khanna.

√ Purab Kohli, Luke Kenny & Shahana Goswami:: Should capitalise on the success of the movie to get a strong foothold in Bollywood. Good performances otherwise.

√ Prachi Desai is good in her "Miss Goody Two Shoes" role. BTW – why was her character a bit pushy towards male bonding?

√ Koel Purie is as usual OK.

Too many flashbacks hinder the narrative. Should have been confined to a single one.

The songs would take sometime to catch on as they belong to Rock genre and not the usual run-out-of mill.

The protagonists passion for music give you a feel of Jhankaar Beats and so does the climax.

The movie is handled extremely well on all technical fronts. A very well made movie. Looking forward your next outing Gattu Kapoor!

PS: Javed Saab, does the usage of "Darling" refer to a previous experience of your in the Bollywood?

Easily my fave movie of this year.

Rock On!! portrays the essence of friendship albeit in a different narration, does call for a round of applause for a theme which might not be so popular in India i.e. Rock.

The story revolves around four friends forming a rock band called Magik with Aditya ( Farhan Akhtar) the lead vocalist and lyricist, Joe ( Arjun Rampal) the guitarist, KD ( Purab Kohli) on the drums and Rob ( Luke Kenny) on the keyboard, out to cut out an album. Somethings go awry and the friends who shared the same passion drift away, each leading their own life.

A decade later, some circumstances bring these four friends together and Magik is in action again to give the most memorable performance ever.The story of course has more to it but you rather watch the movie to learn that.

Director Abhishek Kapoor has captured the fragility of relationships on the celluloid with compelling ease. Farhan Akhtar has emerged as an actor and as a super singer, with no signs of débutant syndrome to be seen in his performance. Arjun Rampal surprises with one of his finest performances till date. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy;s music just rocks.

The movie Rock On has the blended concoction of some outstanding performances, engulfing emotions and topping it is the execution of the entire theme. I have a gut of the film Rock On is going to rock the box-office as well.