I watched this movie rather late. Turns out, I became like someone I always despised - someone who made decisions based on someone else's opinions without experiencing it for myself. Most people I met, and on my Facebook timeline clearly did not like it, as did my best friend. I decided to watch it and make the decision for myself.
Have you ever wondered what happens to the love stories which fall outside the socially normative spectrum? Some stories which are not really accepted by the narrow-minded society of ours, some stories that are just not meant to be, no matter what happens? I have. Do they pine all their lives for their loved ones, or do they find closure, or do they fall in love with someone else? If you have, Rockstar will answer your questions to some extent.
The story begins with an angry Jordan, performing on stage, and reminiscing about his love story, the one that could have been. Janardhan Jakhar, a simpleton from Delhi, is extremely passionate about music, but is habitually mocked, until the canteen owner Khatana explains that to create true, soul-stirring music, one has to experience a heartbreak. Our man, exhibiting bravado, proposes to 'heart-break machine' Heer (Nargis Fakhri, pretty but extremely disappointing), an elite Stephenian, who rejects him, but nevertheless they become good friends.
The story then shifts to Heer's wedding in Kashmir, where she develops feelings for Janardhan and affectionately nick-names him Jordan, but does not express it. On returning to Delhi, Jordan is thrown out of his home, and spends two months at the local dargah, where he is discovered by the renowned classical shehnai player Ustad Jameel Khan (Shammi Kapoor) and achieves moderate success as a singer.
Jordan then visits Prague for a music festival, but mostly to meet Heer, who is suffering from bone marrow aphasia, and falls in love with her, who refuses to reciprocate his feelings, but finds herself drawn to him, and they share intimate moments together. This juncture in their relationship is rather strange - she is attracted and repelled by him. The conflict in her head is understandable though, she is a married woman, and it would shame her to cheat on her husband even though she is attracted to Jordan.
Jordan, in an attempt to bid a last goodbye to Heer despite her warning him not to, is arrested for trespassing and receives negative media attention, which frustrates him.
Do not go looking for a conventional love story. You will be disappointed. Instead, soak in the beautiful cinematography that spreads itself across Prague, Delhi and Kashmir, Ranbir Kapoor's performance, and take in all that the movie has to offer. I think the ending was perfect, although it disappointed many. Personally, I would be disappointed if the movie had a typical ending - with Heer running to the stage to engulf Jordan in a massive hug and then they go on to have triplets and so on. The ending was beautiful - and it wasn't abrupt. The reason, according to me, is that there was simply no more to be said! The movie is all about Jordan - his pain, his frustration, his love, his passion - and once the viewer experiences it, there's nothing more left.
The movie stays with you long after you watch it. Personally, I think the movie caters only to a select audience - the ones who can appreciate a well-made movie, devoid of the typical dancing-around-trees drama and tear-jerkers. It is for people who can understand those who have loved so badly that it utterly destroyed them, for those who can feel the angst, the passion of the hero.
As they say in typical film reviews - it is for the classes, and not the masses!
Have you ever wondered what happens to the love stories which fall outside the socially normative spectrum? Some stories which are not really accepted by the narrow-minded society of ours, some stories that are just not meant to be, no matter what happens? I have. Do they pine all their lives for their loved ones, or do they find closure, or do they fall in love with someone else? If you have, Rockstar will answer your questions to some extent.
The story begins with an angry Jordan, performing on stage, and reminiscing about his love story, the one that could have been. Janardhan Jakhar, a simpleton from Delhi, is extremely passionate about music, but is habitually mocked, until the canteen owner Khatana explains that to create true, soul-stirring music, one has to experience a heartbreak. Our man, exhibiting bravado, proposes to 'heart-break machine' Heer (Nargis Fakhri, pretty but extremely disappointing), an elite Stephenian, who rejects him, but nevertheless they become good friends.
The story then shifts to Heer's wedding in Kashmir, where she develops feelings for Janardhan and affectionately nick-names him Jordan, but does not express it. On returning to Delhi, Jordan is thrown out of his home, and spends two months at the local dargah, where he is discovered by the renowned classical shehnai player Ustad Jameel Khan (Shammi Kapoor) and achieves moderate success as a singer.
Jordan then visits Prague for a music festival, but mostly to meet Heer, who is suffering from bone marrow aphasia, and falls in love with her, who refuses to reciprocate his feelings, but finds herself drawn to him, and they share intimate moments together. This juncture in their relationship is rather strange - she is attracted and repelled by him. The conflict in her head is understandable though, she is a married woman, and it would shame her to cheat on her husband even though she is attracted to Jordan.
Jordan, in an attempt to bid a last goodbye to Heer despite her warning him not to, is arrested for trespassing and receives negative media attention, which frustrates him.
Do not go looking for a conventional love story. You will be disappointed. Instead, soak in the beautiful cinematography that spreads itself across Prague, Delhi and Kashmir, Ranbir Kapoor's performance, and take in all that the movie has to offer. I think the ending was perfect, although it disappointed many. Personally, I would be disappointed if the movie had a typical ending - with Heer running to the stage to engulf Jordan in a massive hug and then they go on to have triplets and so on. The ending was beautiful - and it wasn't abrupt. The reason, according to me, is that there was simply no more to be said! The movie is all about Jordan - his pain, his frustration, his love, his passion - and once the viewer experiences it, there's nothing more left.
The movie stays with you long after you watch it. Personally, I think the movie caters only to a select audience - the ones who can appreciate a well-made movie, devoid of the typical dancing-around-trees drama and tear-jerkers. It is for people who can understand those who have loved so badly that it utterly destroyed them, for those who can feel the angst, the passion of the hero.
As they say in typical film reviews - it is for the classes, and not the masses!
