Rockstar.

Rockstar - Movie Review

‘Rockstar’ is a youth film. It is basically a highly expected film for the youngsters. To see their favorite star Ranbir Kapoor as a rockstar was a craze for all. Moreover, Imtiaz Ali never fails with his film. Whether it is ‘Jab We Met’ or ‘Love Aaj Kal’, Imtiaz shined all the way. After some stunning performances in the last few films, to see Ranbir Kapoor as a rockstar has become a craze. Debutante Nargis Fakhri was a treat to watch.

More than a musical journey, ‘Rockstar’ is a love story. A college going guy is a die-hard music lover and aims to become a world famous rockstar someday. But the biggest question that lies before him is how. The guy who spends more time in college canteen than in classroom gets a unique idea from the canteen manager, Khataraji. He tells the music lover that to become a great artist, he needs to experience pain, frustration, angst, struggles. Every great artist of the world has gone though this pain and so they could deliver a soulful music. The male protagonist takes his word as the ultimatum and plans to suffer a heart break.

The man in question is Janardhan Jakhar (Ranbir Kapoor), a cheerful, immature happy go lucky type of guy studying and loitering around The Hindu College canteen. In this college studies a very beautiful and charming upper-class Kashmiri girl Heer (Nargis Fakhri).  Heer is very opposite to Ranbir, she is stylish, good looking and arrogant keeps the world under her feet and moves around with boys and very easily shifts boyfriend and breaks heart.

Janardhan Jakhar who aims to become a big rockstar like Jim Morrison felt Heer to be the right girl to suffer heartbreak. Heer was engaged and very soon she would enter into matrimony. Janardhan compel himself to fall in love with Heer, his college mate. He first made friendship with Heer and slowly, their friendship turned into love. Janardham moves forward to suffer heartbreak and become a rockstar. In his musical journey, he met shehnai ustad (Shammi Kapoor).

Heer gets married and moves on. Ranbir succeeded in his aim, suffers heartbreak and went on to become a big rockstar. His tickets sells at no time and auditorium always remain housefull. He fulfills his aim to become a famous rockstar.

Though beautifully picturized, ‘Rockstar’ has many loose ends. The main drawback of the movie is that it did not clearly talked about their family background. Camera captures the scenic beauty of Kashmir and Delhi’s fast and funky life.

Speaking about performances, ‘Rockstar’ totally revolves around one man Ranbir Kapoor. He rules throughout the film. It can be called a one man show. Ranbir has delivered an extraordinary performance. He will always be remembered for this awesome performance. Debutante Nargis Fakhri though poor in Hindi has been able to pull of the move well. Despite being a new comer, she performed really well. She looked awesome. Ranbir and Nargis’s chemistry spark fire. Shammi Kapoor has a small but impactful role.

Imtiaz Ali’s once again proved his potential as a director. Ar Rahman’s music is rocking.

In the nutshell, ‘Rockstar’ will be basically liked by the young generation. The film has some dull moments but overall, not a bad watch.

Rockstar - Music Review

The expectation from Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Rockstar’ is sky-high and there are ample reasons for this. Firstly, after a long gap Oscar winner AR Rahman is composing music for a full-fledged Bollywood movie. Secondly, Imtiaz Ali’s last two offerings have been able to create a chartbuster, the music of ‘Jab We Met’ and ‘Love Aaj Kal’ is played even today.

The lyrics of the movie has been composed by Irshad Kamil who is one of the finest music composer of our country. Last but the not least Ranbir Kapoor is always associated with chartbuster movies. His films never miss to impress the music lovers. With so many factors compiling together, the anticipation obviously increases.

The album starts with ‘Phir se ud chala’. It is like a cool breeze sung by Mohit Chauhan. It is solely picturized on Ranbir and the song has come out beautifully.

The second song goes as ‘Kathiya Karoon’ sung by Harshdeep. This song has a Punjabi flavor and very refreshing on hearing.

The next track that follows is ‘Jo Bhi main’ by Mohit Chauhan’. The song starts of slowly but slowly catches pace. Mohit’s unmatched voice injects life into the lyrics.

The next to arrive is a devotional song ‘Kun Faaya Kun’ sung by Mohit Chauhan and Javed Ali. Rahman has really done a wonderful job here.  It has a Sufi flavor, run for a longest duration and wonderful to hear.

The fifth offering is ‘Sheher Mein’. It is basically a funny number crooned by Mohit Chauhan and Karthik. It evokes laughter on listening. It speaks about Ranbir’s struggling days when he was learning to sing and his teacher is trying to make him catch the right chord.

The sixth track ‘Hawaa Hawaa’ falls in the line of western arrangements. Mohit Chauhan again lends his voice here. He was supported by vocals of Viviane Chaix, Tanvi Shah, Suvi Suresh and Shalini. It is a dance number.

The next is a rocking number that goes as ‘Aur Ho’. Alma Ferovic starts the song and after a while Mohit Chauhan enters and takes hold of it. It is purely a ‘Rockstar’ number but has a sad feeling.

The eight track of the album is ‘O Naadan Parindey’ by Rahman and Mohit. It is a lovely composition and lyric is very touchy. It is a homecoming song. The lyrics basically speak of the return of the male protagonist who lost his way but finally back home. Very situational and electrifying.

 The next track ‘Tum Ko’ was crooned by Kavita Krishnamurthy. After a long gap, Kavita Krishnamurthy was heard and feels very refreshing. It is slow track, reminds of the music of 80’s and 90’s. Very much resembling to ‘Aaja Mein Hawaon’ from ‘Yuvvraaj’.

Next to come after ‘Tum Ko’ is ‘Tum Ho’ sung by Mohit Chauhan in his own unique style. It is a romantic number. From the word go, it rules our heart.

The eleventh tack is a musical piece titled, ‘Tango For Taj-music’ with Taj Mahal at the backdrop. It is basically a western musical arrangement and is soon followed by 'The Dichotomy Of Fame' which has an Indian musical arrangement with fusion of 'Shehnai' and 'Guitar'. This track gives a pause to the album.

'Saadda Haq', is the signature mark of Rockstar. It is a Sufi track. Orianthi's guitar opens the track.

The last is a one line track of 70 sec by Ranbir Kapoor. The purpose of the one line is not yet understood.

In the nutshell, the album of ‘Rockstar’ is a blend of good, average and bad music. One thing for sure, majority  will go for the album.  So many songs in one movie is rare to get but ‘Rockstar’ stands exceptional.