Tetrady
not as good as all the hype
Solidrariol
Am I Missing Something?
Humaira Grant
It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Orla Zuniga
It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
jmathur_swayamprabha
The way some goals are so worthy that it's glorious even to fail, the same way some dreams are so lovely that even when they are not turning into reality, we should live them and allow them to live in us. And to the extent possible, we should pursue our dreams which are positive for us and negative for none. That's what is the message of Rock On (2008).Rock On tells the story of four friends who had dreamed to make it big in the world of music when in their early twenties - 1. Aaditya Shroff aka Aadi (Farhaan Akhtar), 2. Joseph Mascarenhaas aka Joe (Arjun Raampaal), 3. Kedar Zhaveri aka Killer Drummer aka KD (Poorab Kohli), 4. Robert Nancy aka Rob (Luke Kenny). They participated in a contest whose prize an opportunity to make own music album. These foursome known as Magic won the contest and then set to get own music album recorded. But the so-called practical world is populated less by the innocent dreamers like them and more by the manipulators who occupy chairs of power and authority to dictate terms to them despite not having an ounce of worthiness for that. And the truly deserving, talented ones have to listen to them and follow their dictates because the moment of time is on their side. These youngsters also had to endure everything and swallow all the bitter pills thrown at them by the chair-holders who controlled the resources. Aadi being more practical and adjusting digested everything so that the way towards the arrival of their first ever music album is paved. However Joe being a short-tempered man of self-respect fell prey to the irritating situation, leading to end of everything for these dreamers including their association.A decade has passed. Now these four friends are no longer a foursome. Each one of them is leading or struggling in his individual life. Aadi and KD are leading their lives which are comfortable though not internally satisfying whereas Joe and Rob are still struggling in the lines chosen or forced on them to make both ends meet. Aadi is a successful investment banker and happily married with Saakshi (Praachi Desaai) who feels that her husband has been hiding something as high and heavy as a mountain in his heart, not allowing herself to see it. He attempts to appear as happy but his inner reality is something else. She does not know that her husband is carrying the burden of a broken dream within him. KD is associated with his father's jewellery business being out of alternatives for himself. Rob is still struggling in the world of music and keeps in touch with Bollywood composer - Anu Malik. The most pathetic situation is that of Joe who has been fortunate enough to marry the love of his life - Debbie (Shahaana Goswami) but the struggle to make both ends meet for the family moves from day to day. Joe who wanted to be a great violinist is forced to sing here and there to get some money whereas Debbie who had dreamed with Joe to become a fashion-designer is taking care of the small scale fish business of his family which is the only main source of income for them.Fate makes KD meet Saakshi and then Saakshi comes to know of the bygone era containing the shattered dreams of the foursome. She tries to bring the separated friends together again and her success in this regard not only rekindle the hopes of the friends to do something worthwhile in the world of music but also bridges the decade old rift between Aadi and Joe. Debbie, being too much concerned with the poverty-stricken condition of their household arranges an overseas job for Joe but destiny has other plans. The magic band is revived but when it is about to take the stage for the second opportunity given to it by fate, Joe has to board the ship and Rob has to face death (because he has been suffering from a fatal illness for long). The climax takes place on a highly emotional note and when the movie is over, the viewer feels a throbbing in his / her heart.Rock On is a movie with its heart in the right place. It's a movie with a soul. Despite certain flaws here and there and the fact that the musical score of a movie based on a rock band should have been far superior to that of this movie, let me say loud and clear that Rock On is a superb movie. Very few mainstream movies are made in India with this level of sincerity. It's a movie of dreams. It's a movie of relationships. It's a movie of determination. It's a movie of survival in the cruel world.The style of narration is simply mindblowing. Cutting the narrative back and forth in the past as well as the present without even a drop of confusion, deserves lots of applause. All the principal actors have done superbly. I choose Shahaana Goswami as the best performer and Arjun Raampaal after her. But others are no less. Even supporting ones like Koel Purie (Saakshi's friend whom KD falls for) and Nicollette Bird (the ex-girlfriend of Aadi) have done complete justice to their roles.Rock On is a must watch for every dreamer. Fulfillment of dreams depends on certain external factors too and everybody is not fortunate to have his / her dream fulfilled. However our dreams are our babies. Let's not abandon them. Even when unfulfilled, they have given us a lot and hence they deserve to be cherished in our hearts. And if still there is a scope to make our dreams to be turned into reality, let's believe that it can be done.
haninaqvi
This Movie is Excellency! Perfect Story! Perfect ActingI cannot believe that their are still Best Writers in this industry! im completely surprised on the scripting and on the story! this movie is highly recommended for light hearted people! it will make them Feel Better and Alive! the way they get back together as a band formation!The Acting Done by the Actors are Extremely Superb! Farhan turned out to be a Fine Actor, a Good Singer, a Very good Director (as he originally is), Awesomely Made film by the Director Abhishek Kapoor, a very Rockstar (i think he is) its none other than Arjun Rampal! he is very Handsome and an Awesome Actor! he did some exceptional acting! so did Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny was Very good! and Prachi Desai was Good! not so much but her effort was nice, Koel Purie looked Smashing!The best thing in this Movie is the Storyline!! i would Rate this Movie! 10 on 10 because it deserves it!I just hate the Reviewers who said this movie wasn't good and them trashing it! they probably like movies like Singh Is Kinng or Welcome or Om Shanti Om! (im not saying those were bad movies all im saying is that good movies aren't being appreciated in this cinema)The Music is Awesome Since its Rock it should be Heavy Duty! but nonetheless it should be as it is! its perfect! Kudos on the Lyrics WOW! awesome!SEL: Hats off to you Brothers!this Movie surely deserves 10 on 10 and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to everyone! just see this movie IM sure you wont REGRET it!
saxena_ashes
The movie failed to rock me as much as the hype. Farhan Akhtar chose not to direct but do everything else. Produce, sing, act. With a lisp that becomes irritating at times. Wonder why did he trust one-film-old Abhishek Kapoor to direct a somber, serious, 'grown-up-DCH', and made Papa Akhtar write some Kaale-Neele-Peele rock songs which became nonsensical and had to be somehow fitted in the drums and guitar. The soft ones like 'Tum ho to gaata yeh dil' and 'Kabhi khud pe hansa' are very good though. I did not like the basic premises of the plot that four very good friends don't interact for 10 long years just because of a stupid altercation. The pony-tailed Arjun Rampal and beautiful Prachi Desai provided some saving grace to the otherwise boring cast.
Sachin Wagh
The quality of Bollywood movies has drastically improved in recent times. Just a couple of weeks ago I was compelled to write about "Mumbai Meri Jaan", because it is one of the best movies I have seen this year
and I guess that's not all for this year! Last week we saw "Rock On!!" and again I am at my laptop typing a few lines on it.I hate to give out details about the movie in my short reviews and so I am going to stick to it. Anybody with half a brain would say that this is a movie about a "Rock Band"! Well
now if you ask someone with a "full"one he might say it's not a movie about Rock and Roll at all
it's actually a movie about "perusing your dreams"
or maybe about "true friendship" or "marital relationship" or even "dealing with difficult a situation and accepting the phases of life".The most important and impressive part of the movie was the débutant actor "Farhan Akhtar". Yes! Not only can this dude act but he has sung all his own songs too!! I am no authority on singing or music but let me tell you this guy sounds pretty good. To play a lead singer in a rock band he has worked-out and flashes his chiseled 6-pack a couple of times in the movie... I am sure that took tremendous motivation and commitment to the role. He has set the bar so high with his first film as an actor that I am sure all the Khans ruling the industry must be hiding right now.Arjun Ram plays a character that is very quite and sort of dim-witted. He pulls off the character so well, I didn't know if he was acting or just being himself! Ouch! I'm sorry I know that was under the belt
but that's what I felt about Arjun "Rampant" until I saw this movie. Prachi Desai, Lenny Luke and Purab Kohli, all act really well and make this movie a memorable one. I think one of the best scenes in the movie is when the band (who's in dire straits) is forced to play at a Dandiya Raas to make some quick bucks. Abhisekh Kapoor proves himself as a worthy director
must be a tough gig trying to direct someone like Farhan Akhtar.Watch this movie to get nostalgic about college days, rock shows, old friends or even if you enjoy good music. But see it for Farhan who is a decent singer and great actor and we already know a phenomenal director. Is there anything he can't do? I doubt it. I have just 2 words for him, "ROCK ON!!"