'Rocking' passion play

Rating: Null/10 (16 November 2011)

'Rockstar' is not about A.R's music as most of the media noise would make us believe, its neither about Ranbir Kapoor's undeniable bursting on to the scene as one of THE Most Talented actors of this era. Its something much more than that. Its about that Indian cinema finally showing glimpses of coming of age in its choice of subject, treatment of the central theme and being able articulate and embody the central theme in extreme subtlety. 'Rockstar' presents itself in such a pristine form of story telling and scripting, with songs such mesmerizing interwoven with the tale that you are simply carried away very subconsciously in what the film attempts to tell. It was very natural that the film became an insignificant story interspersed with super-hit songs -With A.R Rehman as its music director doing anything but would have been madness. But, thank God!! Imtiaz Ali has been completely 'mad' in making this film and has avoided all aspects of box-office economics which has made Hindi films one of the most maligned of creative arts of the modern era (and rightfully so!). Technically speaking , the most fascinating character of the film has been in its harmony and homogeneity- the story goes through cycles of past, present and future - how the protagonists Janardhan Jakhar aka 'JJ' (Ranbir) and Heer (Nargis Fakhri) come close through a curious cycle of casual, adventurous, no holds barred relationship into a vice like grip of mutual attraction leading to the destruction and renunciation of their lives in spite of reaching and touching the heights of success and glory defined as per the rules of the order they so much hated to be a part of. In Indian cinema never been a human relationship between man and his woman depicted with such an intensity and to a degree that truly transcends all the normal and accepted rules of attraction and passion. We have read the epitomes of true love which ultimately destroys - 'Romeo Juliet', 'Othello' etc. But they have been always what they are- glorified in theme in their inherent selfless sacrifice. But 'Rockstar' is different. The love between Jordan (Ranbir) and Heer is so intense, all consuming, unattached and bereft of worldly meanings and strings that seeing them it reminded me of the all consuming passion of Vincent van Gogh in 'the Lust for Life' or that of Paul Gaugain in 'the Moon and the Sixpence' for their painting. Maybe Imtiaz Ali has been inspired by these characters from these books only. When Ranbir follows Heer to Prague subconsciously through his musical tour and they begin on a whirlwind of a passionate relationship which they had longed craved for and Heer finally realizes that social dictum called for a cease to it and she asks -' Do you want my life to be ruined?' , JJ simply replies 'Yes, I want you to be tormented bereft of me'. Such a bold dialog devoid of all pretensions of selflessness and glorified sacrifice in love has never been used in Indian films where individuality has always been martyred on the gallows of social conformity and glorified selfless sacrifice for love. This pureness of love which makes JJ want Heer in all her capacity, he even wants her mental peace and soulful existence on his behalf has such a primitive yet pristine touch to it that you feel that this is not a film but an epic. Another bold theme applied how physical acts and temporal love complement and build on each other- the union of the two has been a taboo in Indian society and films. The scene where just before her marriage ceremony Heer asks JJ to hug her and hug her tight represents the intensity of the attraction that she has started to develop so well and with such subtlety. Also, the interplay of dialogs between the two protagonists with Heer in a bridal dress, where each party is trying both to cloak and expound his attraction for the other are such refreshingly honest and passionate that you feel that you are sitting on the bridge thats binding these two human beings together. However, my most memorable scene is towards the end where taunted by the world, tormented by their parents and press, rock star JJ and Heer close themselves in between a bed sheet and Heer declares this is 'their' world which no one would dare interfere- this had such an old world romantic feel tinged with a revolt not towards society or parents, for a change, but towards the shackles human beings have put on themselves in pursuit of their happiness. I feel this is the central theme of the film which has made me like to such a huge extent- its harping on individuality and sense of freedom which has always been a taboo in a 'land of culture and social mores' that is India. Nargis Fakhri's ethereal beauty has been also a major contributor in adding the very essential sublimeness and reason behind the central theme- it helps numb the audience's rationality, the presence of which would have robbed the entire story of its surreal, soulful feel. Her acting skills, especially in the lost and forlorn state when she comes back to India from her husband's home in Prague, have been amply exemplified (although her Hindi needs an improvement!). In short, 'Rockstar' has been Imtiaz Ali's ode to individuality and passionate attraction towards life. Audience would either love it or hate it. If you ask me, they would mostly hate it as Indian society is not mature enough to to admire individuality. Imtiaz Ali has reached the pinnacle in 'Rockstar' after his excellent displays in 'Jab We Met' and 'Love Aaj Kaal', both films treating romantic themes in their own unique ways, but with this last film he has raised the bar to a level which even he might find difficult to cross later.