Rockstar, is journey of Jordan(Ranbir Kapoor) from Pitampura, Delhi who dreams to make it big and become a Rockstar. How his songs reflects his journey, his love, his dreams, the people he meets forms the plot of the film.

Imtiaz Ali has a different way of handling post-marriage life, just like he did in Love Aaj Kal. He has a different take on love, which for him isnt bound or restricted by marriage. He continues that theory in Rockstar too, and this time he goes little further into it as he exploits the moments of lovers when they are most vulnerable, when they commit mistakes.. One of main reasons, why the film doesn't find any connect to lots of people..even if its real.

With Rockstar, Imtiaz has kept the story structure complex by making it non-linear and using lots of montages as well as flashbacks. Editing is simply terrific, how well different get ups of Jordan are combined together and also choosing the perfect angle that enhances every scene. Special reference to Prelude of Aur ho, fast cuts of Jordan-Heer are inserted there.

Camera-work is superb, for instance, the shot succeeding 'yeh chand sa roshan chehra' scene.. where camera zooms in towards Heer and Jordan with Kateya background, and then while panning left, zooms out. It establishes, one of their normal conversations when no one is around. And then, the tilt down and zooming out during Saadda Haq. Also, the video shots taken, like the starting of film(one may say it was just a edited shot, and not a video), Mandy shooting Heer-Jordan dance on Shammi's hit song, and the fans shooting video of Jordan on road.

Cinematography is very good, the locales of Prague, Kashmir are well captured.. Plus, I love the way they zoom out the entire space area where the Naadaan Parindey concert would happen. The dialogues give a real life feel as is the case with Imtiaz films, 'control nahi kar paata main', 'Mujhe hug kar sakte ho', 'appointment leni hogi daatne ki', 'chal gandh machaate hai'. Also, special mention to the costumes, both Jordan and Heer look wonderful in different get ups as they travel from Delhi to Kashmir to Prague.

Now, the three main aspects through which one can view Jordan, his hairstyle/costumes, how he plays guitar, and his music. He begins with a innocent short hairs look, wearing sweater, shirt, jeans.. more of a wanna-be rockstar. No wonder, we just see him auditioning, not sing any of his songs. Its only from dargah onwards when he doesn't care what people feel and starts wearing kurta's. Later, he wears police uniform in Saadda Haq as a rebel. And the military kinda of uniform in Naadaan Parindey. And he always wears a chain holding his first broken guitar string and he keeps adding stuffs to that chain as he travels around the world to keep memories.

Every-time he is away from Heer, the best music comes out from him. Maybe, that is one of the reasons why all the songs are kept at a time when he is away from her, be it Phir se udh chala, Kun faaya kun(which is more of god seeking song for Jordan), Aur Ho(showing his restlessness, his feelings towards Heer), Saadda Haq(an angst song against everyone who couldn't understand him or his moves, be it police or media.. plus Free Tibet that is blurred due to censor), Tum Ho Rock (the agony, the pain he has inside him further comes out in this instrumental) and Naadaan Parindey(the bird who is not willing to return now). In most of these songs, we see him in long hairs and beard look, especially the final three.

His maximum use of guitar comes in the Naadaan parindey song, while its in Aur Ho, when you see that rock feel coming into his song, with the kind of way he plays guitar in closing moments of the song. Saadda Haq takes it to the next level, plus in this song, you notice the kind of attitude(phaad dene wala as described in beginning of film) he has while holding guitar. He has now become, the Rockstar, he always wanted to be.

Hawa Hawa and Kateya Karoon are used as songs to bring Heer and Jordan more close to each other, they are most happy together during these times, enjoying and having fun. Also, they are the songs where we see the 'not so neat n clean' side of Heer.

Jo bhi Main is the theme of Jordan, that he carries with him since childhood probably upto the end of the film. He is able to express with his music most of the times, not with his words.

Performances wise,

Ranbir Kapoor at very few places appears like acting(just 2-3 shots), otherwise its always Jordan you see in the film. He sings like a musician, he holds guitar like a rockstar, he even makes best use of stage(unlike ajay in london dreams if u remember). He appears to be completely lost into his character, and as a result bringing his best performance till date. He even changes dialect very well in different parts of film, from punjabi to haryanavi to normal hindi.

Nargis Fakhri was very good in some particular sequences, but at many places she went over the top. The dubbed voice also worked against her for me. Still as a debut, she made a fair start and looked really good in looks especially the wedding costume. Some scenes do belong to her despite a inconsistent performance.

Kumud Mishra was hamming in early parts of film with the overdose of head movements, in the rest film he was pretty good in a supporting role. He also reminds of Satish Kaushik in appearance as well as voice.

Aditi Rao Hydari played the role of a journalist come Jordan's well wisher/fan(secret love if it was) very well.

Shammi Kapoor had a great entry scene, and one of most notable dialogue of the film that defines Jordan perfectly. And the dictohamy of fame theme, where he and Ranbir shared a scintillating chemistry.

Shernaz Patel continues to impress me with her acting, she is most likely to feature in many many films in future. She plays a loving and optimistic mom very well.

Piyush Mishra is good in supporting role, especially the brilliant massage scene.


Spoilers - Detailed Views (Read the next part only if you have seen the film)

• The opening sequence, slowly background music builds, beats get louder, Jordan walking in complete angst, side angle shot, front shot, back shot, he enters the concert stadium.. loud cheer by audience, Jordan corrects his mouth after being hit by locals. The routine water spray on his face, cools himself down. And turns around, goes near the mike in complete angst, and cut to 4 yrs back, his college life.


• The use of 'Jo bhi main' song in entire film. Jordan sings it in audition, canteen, friends, indirectly to Heer, directly to Heer(if she watches jordan the rockstar in Himachal 1 city tour, he must have sung it there too), with Hawa Hawa folk people, with the prostitutes, with the small girl(I think bittu was her name), in the Naadaan parindey hairstyle sitting on terrace, during jagrata place where he sang jaiambe too, at the dargah and the 7 city tour during 'Negative' phase. 



• How much Jordan appears not made to be a 'Rockstar' due to his mannerisms until he meets Heer. Along with his act, thanks to the costumes, and hair stylist. Just as Khatana says 'ek personality hoti hai, teri zindagi nahi hai na waisi .. '. 


• The comic timing when Jordan says 'hainnnnn' coming to know Heer is the girl who will let him become rockstar by breaking his heart. And then the pagalpan eg of a girl 'oh my god aaj toh kitna crazy kar liya maine'.  Also, other small comic scenes in the screenplay like 'sochna pade toh ghanta pyar hua hai', 'appointment de de, kab daant khana pasand karega tu' or 'lagta hai tujhe ab tak pyar nahi hua, this is different', 'kutto ke saamne naachegi, basanti'. 


• The 'broken heart' act by Jordan, starting from shot with Heer 'tu dil todh rahi hai mera', 'Okayy :|' and he enters canteen, regains the broken heart expressions and moves in. 'Kya bataayu kaisa laga, jab usne kaha burger off.. iska toh matlab bhi nahi maloom mujhe'. And when Khatana scolds him for this childish thing, the rock background theme at his angst 'toh kya karu, kya karu jisse' , and eats up the left samosa. 


• Heer reactions to Jordan knowing he considers her 'neat and clean', she looks down for a moment, then looks at Jordan, and tells him about amar talkies theatre, revealing her unknown side.


• The kashmir boat scene, tribute to shammi kapoor 'yeh chand sa roshan chehra'. How Ranbir keeps it natural, without going over the top in a song that could had resulted in that way. Plus, Nargis looking awesome in that dress, and those shy poses she makes through hands and maala thrown by Ranbir. 


• Heer realizing she is in love with Jordan, and asks him if he can hug her once tightly. Jordan totally unaware why she suddenly asks for this. Later at wedding scene, she warns Jordan 'poochna mat kuch, main sach bol dungi', Jordan still not aware what she is upto and says 'haan toh darta kaun hai, bol de' and she says 'haan' , Jordan clueless 'huh', Heer looks for few moments at him but then gives up and changes the conversation. And again in the same scene, the final dialogue 'chal tu aa jaana prague, milke gandh machayenge.. yeh plan theek hai, ya abhi bhaag chale? '. 


• The shot of Jordan looking at the place where he and Heer once had daaru together, and the background lyrics 'kheenche teri yaadein mujhe teri ore ... ' . 


• The three goosebumps scenes in single song 'kun faaya kun'. 1st when Jordan's eyes close up shot is taken as Khatana asks him, 'kiya kya dargah pe 2 mahine'. The background begins 'ya nizamuddin ... '. 2nd when Jordan gets totally involved with the people at dargah, plays the tunes of songs on guitar and now for 1st time joins them in singing at the main place in dargah 'sajda savera mera tann barse'. The 3rd time when Shammi Kapoor makes a entry right after Jordan's lines 'kar de mujhe, mujhse hi rihaaa ... '. 


• Jordan trying to follow what the composers asking from him in 'Sheher' song, but he has his own conventional style of singing, and isn't ready to bend. 


• The way edit is done of Jordan's laugh diminishing when he hears the mention of 'Prague' by journalist Sheena. 


• The expressions on Jordan's face when he is trying hard to avoid laughing at Dhingra during 'massage scene'. 


• Jordan commanding his right over Heer on two occasions, one when he reaches Prague and despite Heer asking to meet next day, he just says 'Chal aaja', and other one is after Aur Ho song, when he wants Heer to say bye properly and shouts 'Idhar aa'. 


• Jordan walks across a path on a street, trying to find where the music is coming from, and then carefully notices the person, by playing the tune through his hands before moving into guitar in next shot.


• The fun dance steps kept during 'Haawaa Haawaa', along with those getting close moments during strip, red light streets and dirty pubs. That 'yeh toh chalenge, nach lenge, yahan wahan.. yahan kahan kahan kahan .. chiki chiki ta ra .. o ho ' when they madly dance in the dirty pubs, one of my personal fav moments of film. Also, the song how well signifies Nargis, who like the queen in the song is letter herself free of rules and society. 


• The intermixing of two songs done at few places, like Haawa Haawa leads to Tum Ko without ending the former, similarly Tum Ho instrumental leading to Phir se udh chala instrumental. And Naadaan Parindey(though there is a small gap this time) leading to Tum Ko. And in the climax too, we see Tum Ko mixed with Tum Ho later. 


• The getting close moments of Heer towards Jordan. Jordan can't get away from her now, and Heer has her marriage and society on her mind, even though her heart was in love with Jordan before her marriage. And hence, the dilemna you see in her actions, during kiss or hug scene. 


• The helplessness/restlessness of Jordan, as he tries to sleep but can't. He goes out in verandah, and plays the prelude of  'Aur Ho' on guitar. 


• The entire Aur ho track, which begins with the magic touch as Jordan makes Heer hug him. The slow trolley back shot onto Jordan at mike 'meri bebasi ka byaan hai'. How well he emotes through his eyes during 'iss lamhe kya kar dun main, jo mujhe chain mile aaraam mile'. Also, the way he sings the entire song enriches the visuals. Also, special mention to the shot where Jordan runs towards Heer 'main hasrat mein ik uljhi dor hua, suljha de'. It may not be my fav song, but in the film its one of my topmost loved song.


• The 'background music' when Heer tells Jordan its all over between them, the hurt feeling he gets when his love is given wrong name by Heer(which was ofcourse done deliberately by her, not real). It does help, as the violence and anger builds inside him. Staying 2 yrs away from Heer, songs like Sadda Haq, Jo bhi main(rock version if you can call it), Tum Ho(guitar instrumental) plus the epic Dum maaro dum track(duniya ne hamara kiya kya, hum duniya ki parwah kare kyu) come out from Jordan. 


• Jordan's equation with Media and Police always remains bad. The only time we se Jordan talk with a journalist properly is when Sheena comes to interview him at his place, which eventually he doesn't the moment she tells about Prague. So, indirectly he insults the media there too. After end of Aur ho song, he says to media 'One minute, excuse' and later returns with the heer conversation anger put on the media 'door raho mujhse', punching onto camera of a journalist. 
He beats police when he sees Heer has fallen down, he beats media person before start of Saadda Haq who pushed him down, later he beats media ppl when they try to take snaps of Heer in Himachal with Jordan. And the final reaction comes when heartbroken from the fact that he is responsible for Heer to be in coma, he forgets he is walking openly into media place, and the result he smashes a journalist. And when a police person slaps him for his reaction, Jordan reverts back with aggression onto the officer too. The middle finger dialogue he says in beginning of film about Jim Morrison on stage, is combined with Jordan showing the middle finger to the media gathered outside the hearing of his case in court. 


• Jordan's equation with his fans is also poor. He never cares for them, their madness and love towards him goes un-noticed for him. He is even rude to some of them, for instance the fan who tries to ask for a pic, and he refuses or during dictohomy of fame, walking through a place surrounded by fans all around, girls falling over, he does notice it but without any joy feeling. The reasons are simple - 'he is lost into Heer to notice anything else apart from his musical concerts'. 


• Aditi Rao standing at a press conference during Saadda Haq song, looking at Jordan in a admirable pose when his reputation is decreasing due to his bad behavior. 


• The moment in Saadda Haq song when Jordan shouts out loudly, a sign of the inbuilt anger leashed out through a mad scream. He repeates it in final moments of song too. Also, during Naadaan Parindey song, he does this, though one could relate that as more of a cry as the shout this time is emotional. 


• The conversation of 'Main unn parindo ko dhoondh raha hoon, dekha hai unhe' which leads to the best portion of Saadda Haq almost for everyone 'O Ecofriendly Nature ke rakshak, main bhi hoon nature'. Its clear, Jordan considers himself as a Parinda too, which is the reason he queries if anyone knows where the other parindey are, so that he could meet them. Phir se udh chala, Shammi's reference as jaanwar and then the final conert of Naadaan parindey, Jordan is always considered as a Parinda(bird) throughout his journey. 


• Jordan telling Khatana that he has the fame but he doesn't get any happy feeling about it which leads to the 'Dictohomy of fame' theme, so brilliantly used, it was my fav in album too. We see Ustad Jamil Khan and Jordan together. Ustad plays shehnai and Jordan puts the tunes onto his guitar. At places we see Jordan with angry expression, at places we see him normal with a trying to learn as a student pose and at places we see Ustad acknowledging how well he is playing guitar. And in between we have that passing through fans scene of Jordan, and the old friends meet who are all just interested to get a photo with well known Rockstar, and not the guy who was their friend during college. A proof that he never had real friends, only Heer was his friend and love both. 


• Jordan tearing away the contract of Dhingra, as he no longer can be made to work as per Dhingra's demands. He jumps near the table, and starts the mantra 'Om maa ki aankhun swaha, Om everything is image, image is everything swaha, Om raid pit gayi swaha.. Om chal ukhar le swaha'. Dhingra picks call and shouts loudly at Jordan ' aeeeeeee' and Jordan shouts back even loudly 'Aeeeeeeeeeeeeee'. And cut to end of some stage performance by Jordan. Awesome!


• How well Imtiaz handles the optimism of Heer's mom which could had worked against, had he made her optimism true.. aneways he didn't opt for it rightly. 


• The kun faaya kun background theme running to bring the divine reference that is connecting Heer and Jordan again despite 2 yrs gap. Also, when Jordan walks in and Heer comes down stairs with Tum ho background piece. The whole scene very much reminded me of Love Aaj Kal climax, pretty same in terms of emotions.


• Heer hugging the sweater of Jordan, crying, remembering him and those romantic moments with Kateya Karoon in background, small flashbacks of their old memories. She later wears the same sweater of Jordan at the dining table, before we see her going into coma in next shot.


• The polite talk to police for a change by Jordan, and then turning to Khatana saying 'mera dil nahi tootna chahiye.. mujhe bada nahi banna.. mere paas aur kuch nahi hai'. The same person to whom he once happily admitted Heer broke his heart during beginning of film. This time its real! 

• The Naadaan parindey song, Jordan in total beard look, drunk, coming out of car and later in bathtub looking at a guitar on fire(artistically ofcourse). And then, the kaaga re lines where a shot of Heer in hospital is brought in. A echo of ghar aaja comes when Jordan suddenly turns his head back, because he has entered into Jordan-Heer world for few moments away from the real world. 'Tum ko paa hi liya maine yun, jaise main hoon ehsaas tera', Jordan could feel her even when she is not there ... 


• The final conversation of Jordan and Heer(which happened earlier but we see at climax) was another of very emotional moment of film. A new world Jordan has set for his love, and then when he comes out of it .. there is ' oo  oo .. tum ho.. ' alaap as Jordan's face close up shot shows his expression of 'I can never talk or meet her now in the real world, he has lost her forever.' 


• The final credits 'Tum ko' showing the montage of all clips where Heer had good fun moments with Jordan, which is then mixed into 'Tum ho' where for first time in the entire film we are shown the shots where Jordan had sung for Heer, only for her. It just enhances the romance in this already very romantic song(ofcourse making it more emotional with the ending we know now). 


• Ending with the final quote of Rumi 'Away from every wrong and right doing, there is a field, I will meet you there', the one with which film eventually began as Jordan spoke the lines in hindi. It maybe considered real place as we are shown in interval, they are in that field, or it maybe taken as imaginary as in the end Jordan can no longer meet her in real life, Heer remains in Coma(unless she dies which ain't shown). Plus, I love that shot which comes after this written quote, the mehndi hug one, complete camera revolve. Very Romantic!




Overall, Rockstar works a lot for me for Ranbir-Imtiaz-Rahman trio combo. Can't seperate anyone, these 3 together constituted into making this film so memorable. Its a film that says a lot about love, how love can transform you into good or bad, and those uncomfortable moments you go through in a love relationship. Imtiaz's outdoes Jab we Met with this film, its deeply layered and the more you see, the more you would get in love with it. 




Verdict : Memorable