Rock On Guys!

I have a new crush, guys! He's a sensational, director-turned-actor/rocker or is it rocker-actor? Anyways, whatever the tag, the latest guy to cause a flutter in the cardio section of this ageing, sagging, withering yet still-full-of sensation, emotion and feeling, body of mine, is Farhan Akhtar.

Ok, I have to admit, I did sit up and take notice after 'Dil Chahta Hai', but this was the first time that he was so in the spotlight. He and another hottie I've been slobbering over the last ten years, Arjun Rampal.

Now if you've been following this blog of mine, then you have quite correctly 'seen' me talk about quite a few of my celebrity heartbeats here. So as not to confuse you all, especially my new friends, the order of perfection goes thus:

1. Johnny Deep
2. Hritik Roshan
3. Arjun Rampal
4. Farhan Akhtar, the newest entry on my list
5. Rahul Bose, now dislodged from #4
6. Dr. Devi Shetty
7. Bickram Ghosh

There are other minor crushes as well and I'm sure we all have them. But for me, these hunks are all my wow factors, my alcohol-on-an-empty-stomach buzz, my joint inspired high, my bhang induced haze.

And so, you can imagine what a drool-fest "Rock ON!" was for me. This is a movie where the protagonists are from my generation. They are my contemporaries and play the age that I am still floundering to come to terms with. The flashbacks keep moving from today to ten years ago, back and forth, and everything seems so relatable, so real, so lived-then, so living-now. The dialogues, the attitudes, the music are all comfortable and familiar.

I guess that's why I loved the movie so much, because I actually saw myself in it...and not just the fringes, but right in the middle of the beat, the pulse, all the action. Granted, I never led such a glamourous, exciting life and I still don't, but ten-twelve years ago, that was something I was more than willing to be a part of. It was a 'Euphoria' concert in Vasant Kunj...their pre-video days, and they sang mostly covers. But I still remember watching lead-singer Palash Se in action and going, "Mmm hmmm! Yum!"

The story of "Rock On!" is simple enough...college band of four boys headed for great things, clash of eos set them on different paths, choices and compromises with Life have been made, but personal demons need to be executed so that in the end, it can all come together and prove to us that no matter what, friendship and music can overcome anything and endure forever...and by forever, we do mean after death.

What makes this movie stand out and tall is the superb acting from everyone involved. And I mean this sincerely, not just because my sweet-cheeks and honey-buns are involved! ;D Purab Kohli, as the band's 'Killer Drummer', was thoroughly convincing as the still-young-at-heart, ready to rock it and party, rich businessman's dinkra. Luke Kenny's under-stated acting went flawlessly with his character's personality and tragic secret. Arjun Rampal was Joe Mascarenhas, so effortlessly did he step into his character's shoes and bring out his angst. Seeing the sadness and intensity in his eyes makes you just want to crush him into your chest so that you can run your fingers through his gorgeous mane and go "There, there! Everything's going to be all right!" And what about a certain hit director who made his acting debut? A Mr. Farhan Akhtar? Well, it seems as if this role were written with him in mind. As the poetic, carefree, spontaneous, good-looking, lead singer of the band Magik, you can't help but fall in love with him. Cut to today and in his present avtaar as a rich, sucessful, still good-looking, investment banker, he seems to have everything that life could possibly offer...except what really matters...a life! And he essays the personality shift convincingly, seamlessly.

And the women? Fabulous job, simply perfect! Sahana Goswami as Joe's faithful, loyal and battle-weary wife did a fantastic job, as did India's sweetheart and favourite bahu from the Balaji K-Factory, "Kasam Se's" Prachi Desai. Her love for her husband and eagerness to please him never, for even a moment, seemed either cloying or irritating. Instead, she makes us feel for her and empathize with her plight. So when things work out in her favour, we're actually heaving a huge sigh of relief, that this deserving girl got her due, as did Goswami's character. Loyalty, love and patience do not go unnoticed. Good message, good message.

And the music? Well, can we expect anything but perfection from the Ehsaan-Shankar-Loy stable? The music, like the movie rocks! There's even a ballad that makes you want to put yor ams aound your sweetie and gently sway to its tuneas you watch the rain falling outside the window. As for Farhan Akhtar's vocal prowess, suffice it to say that he'll never make a successful playback singer, but in this movie, his voice works.

So go out and see this movie. I'm going to go again. And I'm going to buy the OST. And I'm going to buy the DVD when it comes out. Why? Because I need to know, that no matter where life takes you, how old you are and what compromises you've had to make, you can still, Rock On!