Bollywood’s Rock Music sequel comes back to Rock and more
Movie Review
Release Date: 11 November, 2016
Starring: Farhan Akhtar, Shraddha Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Prachi Desai, Purab Kohli, Shashank Arora, Shahana Goswami
Directed by: Shujaat Saudagar
Produced by: Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani
Genre: Musical Drama
Censor Rating: U/A
Runtime: 2 Hours 20 Mins
About Movie Rock On 2
The saga of Rock band Magik is back in Rock On 2, the sequel to the 2008 hit film Rock On. The original movie about four friends who unite through music, was major success in connecting with audiences of all ages. The story unraveled how success, jealousy and friendship, all contribute to the breaking up of the group but also how the emotional connect brings them back together. The last stage performance by Magik in the original movie still remains with fans, who now want to know more about what happened thereafter.
Debut director Shujaat Saudagar picks up from where Magik left off in the previous version and begins Rock On 2 with an the last performance hoping to get the earlier fans to connect once again with the group.
The original Rock On’s success was not just its music but its ability to bring out deep rooted interpersonal equations at an emotional level that fans could easily connect. Rock On 2 tries to do the same but a weak script misses the earlier zing.
The film, however, makes up with some brilliant cinematography that captures Meghalaya at its best, now home to Aditya Shroff and this is where he meets up with Jiaa and the story builds on.
Performances
Farhan once again does a great job playing the lead Rock star while Arjun Rampal’s intense performance does him credit. Shraddha Kapoor gives a good account of herself both as an actress and singer. The original movie did wonders in introducing Farhan Akhtar as a singer, though Shraddha is already a recognized singer, this movie will further add to her music fan connect.
Fans will miss out on the endearing character of ‘Rob’ played by Luke Kenny but he only comes back in flashbacks. There are two new band mates and it’s for the audiences to decide how they connect with them.
Rock On 2 Music
Rock On 2 once again brings out the talent of Farhan Akhtar and is wonderfully matched by Shraddha Kapoor, who can claim the mantle of a full-fledged singer in her own right. Javed Akhtar has once again shown his brilliance as a lyricist as he sets the tone for a young audience in a demanding genre. Hoi Kiw / Chalo Chalo stands out for its different sound and may just click with fans. Overall, the music is good but fails to leave the same impact on fans that songs such as ‘Sindbad’ left.
Rock On Revisited
Singer(s): Farhan Akhtar, Shraddha Kapoor
Song duration: 2:57 min
Manzar Naya
Singer(s): Farhan Akhtar
Song duration: 3: 35 min
Jaago
Singer(s): Farhan Akhtar, Siddharth Mahadevan
Song duration: 3:11 min
Tere Mere Dil
Singer(s): Shraddha Kapoor
Song duration: 4:09 min
Udja Re
Singer(s): Shraddha Kapoor
Song duration: 3:10 min
Who Jahaan
Singer(s): Shraddha Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar
Song duration:
You Know What I Mean
Singer(s): Farhan Akhtar
Song duration: 3:14 min
Hoi Kiw / Chalo Chalo
Singer(s): Usha Uthup, Kit Shangpliang and Pynsuklin Syiemiong
Song duration:
Ishq Mastana
Singer(s): Shankar Mahadevan, Digvijay Singh Pariyar
Song duration: 3:57 min
What’s good?
Great cinematography along with some good performances from Arjun Rampal, Farhan and Shraddha.
What’s bad?
The film’s music fails to rise up to songs from the original movie and that’s the biggest let down. Though the director has tried his best, he fails in brining out that emotional connect between the four friends that struck a chord with fans in the earlier version. A sequel to a blockbuster is always tough to match and Shujaat Saudagar just learnt it the hard way.
Verdict
If you are going to see the movie as a fan of the earlier one, you will come away disappointed. If you must see it for its current story with only a passing reference to the past. It may just pass muster.
Rock On 2 rating: ***
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