Rock On!! (2008)
To be very honest, I was quite sceptical of watching it- not only because I was afraid that it had been overhyped, but also because earlier in the day I'd seen what is definitely one of my favourite movies of all time (I'd decided that when it hadn't even finished), Mahanati (2018). However, I swore to myself that I would not compare. I would put Dulquer Salmaan out of my mind (oops) and watch this movie with an open mind.
I am so glad I did exactly that, because Rock On!! definitely belongs to my bolly not-so trash list. The simplicity of the story makes it even more engaging- you feel a certain familiarity with the plot, the characters and the situations they find themselves in, and it never gets boring, even though it very easily could have. For a movie that revolves around 4 men, the women are surprisingly well-written- Sakshi (Prachi Desai) doesn't go down the boring and regressive road of "Omg how could you date someone before me??" and is very mature in her handling of the complexities of marriage. Much more mature than her husband Aditya (Farhan Akhtar), and the movie makes a point of emphasising that, which the two women in the audience (me and R) very much appreciated. Debbie (Shahana Goswami) is also a force to reckon with.
The music of this movie is of course, legendary. "Tum Ho Toh" has to be one of the best songs ever written. And "Pichhle Saat Dinon Mein" is funny and all too real (6th grade me didn't know that that was technically possible in a Bollywood song) (WOW THIS CAME OUT WHEN I WAS IN SIXTH). The title track is an anthem of sorts, and "Socha Hai" actually makes you think. Lovely. *chef's kiss*
And now, for my favourite topic of all time: homoerotic subtext, which this movie is full of. The tension between Aditya and Joe (Arjun Rampal) was PALPABLE. There was a very McLennon vibe going on there, even though Rampal admittedly looked a lot like George Harrison. Also, to continue the McLennon comparison, Aditya was Paul, and Joe was John- Aditya was more "image-friendly" and just wanted the band to succeed, while Joe was more concerned with staying true to their music and principles. This conflict blows up (the other two members seem to side with Joe) and the band disbands. I think they took a lot of inspiration from Beatles, actually. But coming back to my main point, the fact that Aditya sings "Tum Ho Toh" for Joe, ARE THERE ANY DOUBTS LEFT ON THE HOMOEROTICISM??? ARE THERE??? Also, the other two members, Kedar (Purab Kohli) and Rob (Luke Kenny) also have coded homosexuality going on. I can't believe we were deprived of a movie about the epic highs and lows of a college rock band, all of whose members fall somewhere on the queer spectrum. Sigh. #SayNoToHomophobia.
As R very rightly pointed out, one of the greatest parts of the movie was that no character appeared to be useless, which makes you that much more invested in it. And of course, lest I forget, we were both hardcore #chakravuyers by the time the movie ended *commence naagin dance step*
In conclusion- Vaada Arjun Rampal walked so that Rock On!! Arjun Rampal could run. And Om Shanti Om Arjun Rampal could fly. Tathastu.
I am so glad I did exactly that, because Rock On!! definitely belongs to my bolly not-so trash list. The simplicity of the story makes it even more engaging- you feel a certain familiarity with the plot, the characters and the situations they find themselves in, and it never gets boring, even though it very easily could have. For a movie that revolves around 4 men, the women are surprisingly well-written- Sakshi (Prachi Desai) doesn't go down the boring and regressive road of "Omg how could you date someone before me??" and is very mature in her handling of the complexities of marriage. Much more mature than her husband Aditya (Farhan Akhtar), and the movie makes a point of emphasising that, which the two women in the audience (me and R) very much appreciated. Debbie (Shahana Goswami) is also a force to reckon with.
The music of this movie is of course, legendary. "Tum Ho Toh" has to be one of the best songs ever written. And "Pichhle Saat Dinon Mein" is funny and all too real (6th grade me didn't know that that was technically possible in a Bollywood song) (WOW THIS CAME OUT WHEN I WAS IN SIXTH). The title track is an anthem of sorts, and "Socha Hai" actually makes you think. Lovely. *chef's kiss*
And now, for my favourite topic of all time: homoerotic subtext, which this movie is full of. The tension between Aditya and Joe (Arjun Rampal) was PALPABLE. There was a very McLennon vibe going on there, even though Rampal admittedly looked a lot like George Harrison. Also, to continue the McLennon comparison, Aditya was Paul, and Joe was John- Aditya was more "image-friendly" and just wanted the band to succeed, while Joe was more concerned with staying true to their music and principles. This conflict blows up (the other two members seem to side with Joe) and the band disbands. I think they took a lot of inspiration from Beatles, actually. But coming back to my main point, the fact that Aditya sings "Tum Ho Toh" for Joe, ARE THERE ANY DOUBTS LEFT ON THE HOMOEROTICISM??? ARE THERE??? Also, the other two members, Kedar (Purab Kohli) and Rob (Luke Kenny) also have coded homosexuality going on. I can't believe we were deprived of a movie about the epic highs and lows of a college rock band, all of whose members fall somewhere on the queer spectrum. Sigh. #SayNoToHomophobia.
As R very rightly pointed out, one of the greatest parts of the movie was that no character appeared to be useless, which makes you that much more invested in it. And of course, lest I forget, we were both hardcore #chakravuyers by the time the movie ended *commence naagin dance step*
In conclusion- Vaada Arjun Rampal walked so that Rock On!! Arjun Rampal could run. And Om Shanti Om Arjun Rampal could fly. Tathastu.
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