Socha na thaa, Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal and now Rockstar, things seem to be going downhill for the pseudo-rockstar looking director “Imtiaaz”. With great power comes great pride and self-indulgence. And he seems to be getting too full of himself. 2 Critical mistakes have cost him, what could have been a good film.
Rockstar is not a bad concept. It’s not even a bad film. It’s just a frustrating one. Its songs are good (crucial for a musical), it has a decent first half and has a powerful actor portraying the central character. Also the cinematographer has really captured the beauty of Delhi, Kashmir and Prague well. But having a confusing / half baked story (told in a confusing manner) and a leading lady who can’t act for nuts, Imtiaaz has spoilt the honest efforts of the others.
The film is about a boy who wants to be a musician, his tryst with love, his angst, his journey to being a troubled genius, his fame, his infamy and a lot more confusion. Well, I will not talk about the Girl in his life, because if the Director doesn’t think that she is important, why should I?
It’s surprising how our directors go around the world to find pretty faced actors who cannot act, when our industry is already full to the brim with them! And seriously, it’s not Nargis Fakhri’s fault. She does her best in her complex role, but unfortunately falls short by a mile. Imtiaaz has this fetish of casting these good looking videsi girls. Come on Imtiaaz, concentrate and leave your fetish behind. A film cast well, is half done.
The second problem is the self-indulgence. Imtiaaz takes the audience for granted and dives into a long drawn convoluted love story. Along the way the Rockstar becomes damn famous, but you don’t really know how and why. He is supposed to be a genius, but he doesn’t show signs of really loving his art. His family decides to throw him out one day and never looks back. The love of his life is dying, but his touch just infuses life in her. No explanations are necessary. It’s love. It’s his angst that takes him to rock-stardom. The Rockstar is confused, so is the movie and so is half the audience. The screenplay is also jumbled and unnecessarily so. The story moves back and forth confusingly and infact takes away from the depth of the scenes. It's real hara-kiri at the editing table.
The saving grace is a few songs and ofcourse, Ranbir. He has excellent screen presence and dives into the role whole-heartedly. His dialogue delivery, expressions are precise and endearing. His angst believable.
Rockstar sings “Saadaa Haq, Aithe Rakh”, what about the Audiences HAQ? Don’t we deserve more? Is this mature storytelling? Really not. It’s self indulgent and meandering. Oh Nadaan Imtiaaz, Ghar jaa jaa.
Rating: 4.5 / 10