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Rockstar

By
Director           Imtiaz Ali
Cast                 Ranbir Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Aditi Rao Hydari, Jaideep Ahlawat, Piyush Mishra, Shernaz Patel, Kumud Mishra, Moufid Aziz, Avantika Akerkar
Year                2011
Genre              Drama

Away…. Beyond all the concepts of wrong doing and right doing
There is a field….. I will meet you there – Rumi

The movie ends with this couplet.  And probably sums up the entire story quite aptly.  The story of Janardhan Jhankhad (Ranchhod Das Chanchad has started a trend with Bollywood which will be here for a long time to come) – JJ for short is a sadak chhap Dilli ka Chhokra (a roadside romeo) from Pitam Pura.  He has known only the guitar from the time that he was born probably.  But as the lyrics state is, “Jo Bhi Mein, Kehna Chahoon, Barbaad kare, Alfaaz Mere” (Whatever I would like to say are ruined by the words I use).  There is no X factor.  And as his mentor, Khatana (Kumud Mishra) tells him – he can never be a star because he has never seen tough times.  Never been hurt in love. Never fallen seriously ill.  Still has his parents and family.  So JJ decides to make an attempt to fall in love with Heer Koul (Nargis Fakhri) from St. Stephens.  Violent rejection followed by a slight softening of the stand followed by a friendship which never seems to turn into love for a long time. But after Heer gets married, JJ or Jordan as he is known now finds his groove and turns into a Rockstar.

Something missing in the story? Maybe I have summarized it in a matter of fact way.  But that’s not it.  There is that little something that has me a bit muddled in my head.  Because I left the hall feeling a little let down and yet reasonably satisfied with my experience.  Rockstar is definitely not giving Shaitan a race for the best movie of the year in my books.  But it is not that feeling that has me confused.  I will definitely pen it down in the future.

The editing is slick from Aarti Bajaj.  Just the right cuts at the right times and piecing it together to give a collage that just comes together very well.  Rahman’s music along with Irshad Kamil’s lyric is superb.  One of his better pieces of work.  Most importantly, fits very well with the movie and comes out as a blend of a soundtrack and typical Bollywood singing. The costumes are real and very appropriate.  Jordan’s costumes will definitely start a fresh trend in dressing and facial hair.  Some consistency errors but only if you have a good eye.  The camera work is solid again which ensures that Ranbir’s fingers on the guitar are not visible (mostly) when he may not be playing the right notes. 

Imtiaz Ali keeps getting better with his direction in each movie.  Rock Star is his 4th movie and he experiments this time by varying the pace from the exceptionally fast moments to the snail paced sequences.  And just as you are about to give up, he ups the ante and gets you back into the movie.  Ranbir Kapoor continues to be intense and committed on screen (so what if he isn’t with his women).  And the support cast has performed really well with Kumud and Piyush Mishra bordering on outstanding. 

The only thing I could genuinely find fault with is the acting of the speculated next Kapoor Khandaan Ki Bahu (Daughter-in-law of the first family of Bollywood). It was Nargis Fakhri who probably single handedly took away the intensity of the movie and probably the only reason I will give Rock Star less than the 7 it could have got.  Nargis dear – New York calling back I guess LLL We will miss you at least for your gorgeous looks. But don’t worry – Ranbir will be with you where ever you decide to go – the chemistry between the 2 of you is so thick, you will need an axe to chop through.

All in all, RockStar is a well made movie and worth a dekko if not 2.  I give it 6.5 on 10.  Shaitan’s place as the best movie of the year from Bollywood is firmly secure. Don’t see anything else coming up in the next few weeks to displace it.

Watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn1jx_JUpi0
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