Rock on - A movie that stands apart

Of late, Bollywood is churning out one different movie followed by the next; each one choosing consciously not to tread the beaten path of commercial cinema and at the same time having enough meat to get noticed by critics and masses alike receiving rave reviews and getting the deserved attention. It is a good time to be following Bollywood.
Looking back, Taare Zameen Par started the trend. Aamir, Sarkar Raj, Shaurya, Mumbai Meri Jaan, A Wednesday and Rock on – all of these movies are linked by the fact their heart is in the right place. Not ingratiating, not looking to impress, having a good story, backed by impressive direction, staying out of stereotyped song and dance sequences, they have went on to show that Hindi cinema can indeed rise above the ordinary flock and speak on issues that are contemporary and have resonating relevance world over.
Rock on – It had huge expectations and it has manged to live up to it. Its audience is the predominantly the youth who dreams big, has reasonably achievable aspirations, but gets lost somewhere. Lack of right support, ego altercations, a little hesitancy, failure to compromise at the right moment, other things assuming a more grave priority – the movie links all these beads and weaves together a beautiful thread.
Supported ably by Shankar, Ehsan and Loy, the lyrics are simple, innovative and speak to the young audience like never before. Javed Akhtar has surpassed himself. Just sample these:
Yeh Tumhari Meri Baathein, Hamesha Yuhin Chalti RaheYeh Hamari Mulakate, Hamesha Yuhin Chalti RaheBeete Yuhin Apne Saare Din RaatBaaton Se Nikalti Rahe Nayi Baat
Tum Ho To Raahen Bhi Hai, Tum Nahin To Rasthey KahanTum Ho To Yahan Sab Hi Hai, Tum Nahin To Kaun YahanTum Ho To Hai Har Ek Pal Meharbaan Yeh JahaanJo Tum Ho To Hawa Mein Bhi Mohabbat Ka Rang HaiJo Tum Na Ho To Phir Koi Na Josh Na Umang Hai Tum Mile To Mili Yeh Zindagi
Meri Laundry Ka Ek Bill, Ek Aadhi Padi Novel… Ta Ra Ta Ta Ta ….Ta Ra Ta Ta Ta…Ek Ladki Ka Phone Number, Mere Kaam Ka Ek Paper… Ta Ra Ta Ta Ta ….Ta Ra Ta Ta Ta…Mere Taash Se Heart Ka King, Mera Ek Chandi Ka RingPichhle Saat Dino Mein Maine KhoyaKabhi Khud Pe Hansa Main Aur Kabhi Khud Pe Roya
Dil Karta Hai Sadkon Par Zor Se GaoonSab Apne Apne Ghar Ki Khidki KholenPhir Main Aise Josheelay Geet SunaoonMere Geeton Ko Sunke Sab Ye BolenRock On… Hai Ye Waqt Ka Ishaara Rock On… Har Lamha PukaaraRock On….Yuhin Dekhta Hai Kya TuRock On….Zindagi Millegi Na Dobaara…
Aasma Hai Neela Kyun, Paani Geela Geela KyunGol Kyun Hai Zameen, Silk Mein Hai Narmi KyunAag Mein Hai Garmi Kyun, Do Aur Do Paanch Kyun Nahi Pedd Ho Gaye Kum Kyun, Teen Hain Ye Mausam KyunChaand Do Kyun Nahi, Duniya Mein Hai Jung KyunBehta Laal Rang Kyun, Sarhaden Hain Kyun Har KahinSocha Hai... Yeh Tumne Kya KabhiSocha Hai... Ki Hain Yeh Kya SabhiSocha Nahi To Socho Abhi…..
If these don’t strike a chord with the youth, nothing ever can.
Caught in the middle of careers struggling to take off, a reunion gives an opportunity for four friends to come together again, bury their egos, give their lost aspirations another chance at redemption and proclaim to the world that the spark they nourished as youth is alive and kicking.
The movie ends on a note of practical optimism and inspiration. It is an effort that deserves the highest praise.