Rock On

A gang of boys dream of becoming the best boy band ever. Just when everything seems to be coming together, Magik falls apart. Ten long years later, the boys finally become men. “Rock On”, which takes its name from a rock classic single, tells its story with panache and feeling. It even, glory be, gives us music to groove to.

Aditya Shroff (Farhan) leaves his peppy, curly-haired lead vocalist persona, and rocker-chick girlfriend behind to become a cold super-successful investment banker, with a swish house, and a sad wife (Prachi). Joe Mascarenhas (Arjun) picks up singing gigs at parties, lies to his fiercely loyal wife (Shahana) and tells his son stories about Killer Drummer aka Kedar Zaveri (Purab), who used to create magic with his pair of sticks, and who is now stuck in his father’s jewellery store. And Rob Nancy (Luke) is reduced to creating jingles, and seconding second-rate musicians.

The feel of this film is very ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, very now, very here, very desi cool: the riffs are western, the soul Indian. You wonder how much of it can be laid at Farhan’s door, who, by the way, sings his own vocals, and his voice — reed-true, charmingly very slightly off kilter— reels you in. So does his natural in-front-of- the-camera persona. This is the way he probably is in real life, though you do wonder if he will ever say this line: “Main thoda zyada hi carried away ho gaya tha!”

But he’s not the only one who catches you by surprise. First timer Prachi Desai, who’s been on TV before this, is very effective — coolly glamorous but nicely understated. Arjun looks like he could really be strumming that guitar, and Luke knows his way around the keyboard. The two best written parts go to Purab (His straight Gujju boy, who’s actually a wild rocker at heart, is a complete hoot), and Shahana, who steals every scene.

“Rock On” has to be one of the best shot Hindi films in recent times. Jason West’s atmospheric cinematography is superb. So is Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s sound. And despite its thoughtful pauses, and one mercifully quickly over maudlin patch, it leaves you smiling. Watch it. And then listen to it.