Movie Review: Rock On

Rock on is an episode drawn out of the lives of four friends who share a common passion – music. But, in essence the movie isn’t as much about music as it is about seeing life in a new perspective, and about letting go of the inhibitions and following one’s heart.

Aditya(Farhan Akhtar), Joe(Arjun Rampal), Rob(Luke Kenny) and KD(Purab Kohli) are four buddies who form a music band called Magik. Fame seems within spitting distance when the foursome wins a music contest and is signed by a TV channel to do an album. But destiny plays spoilt sport and an altercation ensues between Aditya and Joe on the sets of the channel, and they lose their golden chance to glory.



Ten years have passed since, and the entire four have left (or rather have tried to leave) the past well behind them and got on with life. Aditya has long given up his music, and is professionally successful as an investment banker but leads a lonesome and monotonous life despite having a caring wife, Sakshi (Prachi Desai). KD has moved into his father’s diamond business and hates it more than anything. Rob works with Anu Malik (who plays a cameo), and creates jingles for advertisements. Joe is hard pressed for money and it is left to his wife, Debbie (Shahana Goswami), to make ends meet.

One day Sakshi finds an old box in the attic and upon opening it she finds some photographs of Aditya and his friends. Having realized that something is terribly amiss in her marital life with Aditya and that he has drawn himself into a cocoon, she decides to arrange for a reunion of the four, with the intent of lifting Aditya's spirits. Destiny connives, from then on a new journey ensues where the four must put behind their ego clashes and differences, and finish what they had left unfinished long ago.

I wouldn’t say that the movie has a brand new story to tell. In fact, far from it, the story has a feeling of déjà vu attached to it and clichés abound, but it has been presented in such a beautiful manner that you simply fall in love with it. The best thing is it manages to remove the divide between celluloid and reality. It is almost like seeing yourself on the screen; the connection is instant and at an emotional level, and this is precisely where it manages to win hearts.

Abhishek Kapoor, the director, has executed the script to near perfection and deserves kudos for it. The characters are well etched out and are easily identifiable with. Farhan Akthar – take a bow. He is impeccable and his acting is near perfect, sufficient to give even the seasoned actors jitters. Prachi, in her first movie, impresses, especially with her expressive demeanor, and so does Suhana Goswami as an estranged wife. Arjun Rampal comes of age and delivers his best performance till date.



Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy deserve a big round of applause for creating some breathtaking melodies. The lyrics are amateurish, but fit the bill completely for that is how the situation demands it. Kudos again to the producers for having the guts to use Farhan Akhtar’s vocals, and he doesn’t disappoint either.

To sum it up, Rock On is a great movie that should go down well with everyone, especially the young. As already stated, the movie is about celebrating life and making the most of it and it does succeed to drive home that message. For that alone the entire team of Rock On, take a bow!