by Sujay Iyer - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 30: 'Live your dream' says the tag-line of the film and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the movie itself is a dream-come-true. ‘Rock On’ is the kind of movie which proves that film-making is an art, that a film made with a heart can be outstanding. You do not need a huge star cast or impressive marketing for a film to work. It is an answer to all those mediocre masala films that have less content and more gimmicks.
‘Rock On’ is a film not simply about music, but about relationships, success, failure, ego, compromises, friendship, perhaps life itself. It is a journey in which the characters find themselves.
Director Abhishek Kapoor makes an impressive debut and his finesse in every scene is clearly observed. He employs depression in a very interesting manner and shoots flashbacks and the present with vision and clarity.
The film probably has only one flaw and that is the pace, but I don’t hold that against it. Although the story-line might seem a little clichéd, the film comes out as very real without any over the top moments that we are so used to in Bollywood.
I wouldn’t like to give out anything about the film to the readers except for probably the scene, where the band gets back together. It has been so beautifully shot that I could do nothing but marvel at the direction.
Before I bring up the acting, I have to say that all four of them embody a music band (its called Magik). Their chemistry is so real and they are so comfortable with each other that you cannot feel even for a second that they are just actors. Farhan Akhthar making his debut puts in a commendable, earnest and mature performance. Arjun Rampal gives us his best yet and emotes so much, even in silence. Luke Kenny and Purab Kohli put in fine efforts and have a lot of screen presence. Prachi Desai proves herself in a very subtle yet important character. Shabana Goswami is also very impressive in a very difficult role for a debut.
The music which is the soul of the film is inspiring, extraordinary and fascinating. The comparisons to ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ will definitely be there, but I honestly feel that it is a more mature and coming of age film.
I highly recommend ‘Rock On’. It’s a film which touched me in every way possible. I would like to repeat again that it is a film made with a lot of heart and I am sure you will be touched, just like I was.
Rating – 4/5
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