Movie Review: Rockstar

Flawed yet spectacular! Be patient, the effort put in surely deserves that.

By Jyotsna Kumar

You know how often I complaint about the opening and the end credits of the film? Because I feel credits play an important role in a film. I feel opening credits in a way sets the tone of the film while closing leaves an after thought. With Rockstar Imtiaz Ali clearly understood addressed this need. Rockstar is almost like a book where the opening credits became the preface or the index sheet of the film while end credits came as an epilogue/ glossary to Janardhan’s journey.

Rockstar is not modeled on rock stars like Jim Morrison or Kurt Cobain. It’s rather about two curious people in love. Is that the reason why Imtiaz stayed away from the stark areas which are supposedly part and parcel of a truly ‘Rockstar’ flamboyance? I wonder why he played so safe? What’s with the desperate need to create a neat plot?

My point is that Rockstar is a tell-all-tale of a rebellious character called Janardhan A.K.A Jordan, who we are made to believe, has never been exposed to drugs? There! My first issue with the film, and even if I keep this aside then how do you explain Heer’s and Jordan audacious to-do-list that never mentioned drugs? Especially when they have no hang ups about country liquor, strip clubs and a semi-porn Junglee Jawaani? Now that’s called ‘playing bit too safe’.

Rockstar is a tragic journey of JJ – right from first till the last frame. Who in order to experience the ‘infamous heartache’ as suggested by his mentor during early years of his college, inadvertently looses life to tragedy- one thing he shared common with his icon Jim Morrison.

Yaar Jim Morrison ne apni middle finger dikhaayi  (demonstrates) aise  aur jantaa badi khush..taaliyan aur seetiyan maar rahi hai aur main yahan ijjat se gaana gaa raha hoon taaki Bus stop ki jantaa ka timepass ho jaaye toh mujhe jhaapad padh rahe hai…with almost juvenile expression Janardhan’s angst in these opening lines by Ranbir says it all. Ranbir didn’t essay JJ in Rockstar, he in fact lived this character.

His efforts were almost effortless in the film. When Shammi Kapoor as Ustaad Jameel Khan said yeh badaa janwar aapke chote se pinjre mein  nahi samaayega, it was actually meant for his grand nephew. I wonder how Ranbir managed to detach himself from JJ, the character he lived for so long during the process of the film.

Nargis Fakhri only added beauty to the beautifully lit frames of Anil Mehta. Her performance was vanilla and was a constant reminiscence of Katrina Kaif debut in Bollywood.

Even though he had only five scenes in the film, but every time Shammi Kapoor was on-screen, the crowd would cheer in awe and admiration of this Yahoo star.

By means of yeh chaand sa roshan chera on shikra, the Rockstar team gave a spectacular tribute to this rocking legend in his style.

The erratic emotional journey from Janardhan to Jordan was aesthetically handled by Imitiaz Ali. He made sure the unabashed, unruly, untamed wilderness of JJ stays on even through the transition phase. In fact at one point in the film Jordan expressed his state confusion, when he remained unfazed by the frenzy around him. JJ’s crude nature, his inability to express himself through words but through his music makes you understand him so much better without inflicting any heavy doze of philosophy. His earthiness is reflected the way he treats his food. So if he’s having samosa in college canteen or soup as appetizer in Prague he’ll make sure both are treated uncannily. The adrenaline rush and sexual urges are dealt with maturity and elegance by Imtiaz.

However, Imtiaz hasn’t changed his actress’s profile. They are what they started with in Socha na tha. Happy-go-lucky, wickedly wacky and then pale and tame in the later part of the film.

Rockstar is product of four Rock stars in its true aesthetic sense. First, Ranbir, for his impeccable portrayal as JJ. Ranbir’s ability to get into the brand new skin each time with perfection is becoming his immaculate quality as an actor. Secondly, A.R Rehman for his rocking music. Through this album he delivered myriad shades of music ranging from haunting to divine to quixotic to melancholic to gypsy, all flavours contributing towards JJ’s emotional journey. Third Rock star of the film was Anil Mehta who lit up the screen through beautiful collage of visuals. Through his lens the lost paradise Kashmir was revived again. He made sure the perennial sense of winter season prevails through the film. Last but not the least, the editor of the film who gave an irregular narrative some smooth cuts.

The first half of the film provides enough wit, chutzpah and local, street smart Delhi flavour. The second half however is more intense. Imitiaz chooses to keep his narrative strictly about JJ. This is why he carefully blurs all the unnecessary characters that couldn’t carry JJ’s journey with them, leaving room for nitpicks.

Number one, since when India got so obsessed with musicians. In India either cricket or Bollywood sells. Number two, since when electric guitars came without pedal and wires (at least I don’t know about it). Thirdly, why Heer parents were so benevolent and inconsequential? From where did JJ took his guitar lessons?  Especially when his family was so against the music. Why JJ never tried to contact his mother? In what reference the song Sadda haq, was added? Is it because the movie needed an anthem?

Rockstar is filled with such nitpicks but this flick is also beyond all this. Provided how well you connect with the film. My verdict- be patient with Rockstar, the effort put in surely deserves that. Possibility is that you discard the film completely as you walk out of the theater. You might say the second half of the film is disappointing. But later on do think about it, let the effect linger on.

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