Rockstar is hardly rocking. It's just a love story under the disguise of the title Rockstar.

Rating: 7/10 (15 November 2011)

Rockstar is an A.R Rahman and Anil Mehta(cinematographer)film. Ya, Ranbir the entitled rock star, Jordan is hardly seen as a rock star in the film as for most parts he is seen hankering after his girl friend,Heer(Nargis Fakhri)while the latter either reciprocates or rejects his love.So first of all the film's title doesn't seem apt in this case. As far as the rock star effect is concerned Imtiaz should have taken some inspiration from Rock On! but ALAS! Imtiaz's originality becomes the biggest flaw of the film that had a promising premise. Rockstar begins on a feel good note but after all the friendly moments between JJ and Heer gets over the film derails leaving the audience to bear the high dosage of a boring and disjointed script. Secondly, the running time (160 mins or so)is not new in Bollywood but Rockstar sadly seemed to be deliberately stretched that can leave you sleeping.
But the saving grace of the film is Rahman's soulful compositions about which there is no complaint. But recalling the lyrics of the songs become difficult. Sadda Haq is rocking and well choreographed and so is Hawaa Hawaa while Kun Faya Kun is soulful and Katiyaa Karoon is fun. Anil Mehta manages to hold the audiences intact with breath taking views of Kashmir and Prague.
However music and cinematography cannot conceal the loop holes in the plot as the treatment of the script was too amateurish something unexpected from Ali who gave us brilliant Films like JAB WE MET and LOVE AAJ KAL.Sadly, Imtiaz annoys this time.
Ranbir Kapoor's performance shows a lot of earnestness but emotions hardly connect with the audience.While he is brilliant in most parts but at times his performance drops heavily.
Nargis Fakhri was a disaster.She looks stunning but where is the acting. Dialogues seemed to have been forced through her. Shammi Kapoor was stunning.The rest of the cast was just okay.
Characterization seemed to be a big problem in Rockstar. While developing Ranbir's JJ as a modern Devdas Ali ignored Heer completely and both JJ's and Heer's character lacked the effect that Aditya,Geet,Jai,Meera or even Harleen Kaur had created.
Overall the film is a decent or average watch. It hardly connects. A story trying to be Devdas fails in it's attempt.
ACTING: 6/10
DIRECTION: 4/10
STORY: 4/10
MUSIC: 7.5/10
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 7.5/10 Overall I rate the film 5.5 out of 10.