Bollywood. Somehow, I’ve stayed away from watching the movies because of its unrealistically predictable plots, cliche-driven dialogue, remix-ridden music [as compared to the standards of 1942:A Love Story], the ‘casting couch’ and, in my opinion, a hypocritical and unhealthy approach to sexuality and violence.

For a long time, it was English, English and English stuff that I watched or listened to. All in all, it was inability to relate to the entertainment that our artists had been able to conceptualize and create.

And I sought ‘greener pastures’ in the form of entertainment from cultures from beyond... albeit, in a disconnected and disillusioned manner...

Then came ‘Dil Chahtha Hai’ about ten years ago, which I watched grudgingly with a fever... not wanting to waste my money on another one of these ‘Bollywood’ flicks.

And the result? Value for money all the way. And the fever which troubled me, faded away in those two hours of laughter, Aamir’s histrionics [who’s talent needs more bandwidth I feel] who I admire all the way back from ‘Andaaz Apna Apna’ and I felt like I identified with the characters in the movie. Instantly.

And most of all, I felt proud of Indian cinema which had finally recognized ‘Urban India’. [Unlike ‘Dhoom 2′ which was a movie for the NRI types and was rather irritating in that respect. I’m sorry, but the actors couldn’t carry off the roles as they should have.]

But I digress... the mastermind of this ‘revolution’ as I would call it... Farhan Akhtar! Dude!

Ironically, most movie-makers followed his lead... yet the storylines, the music and artists failed to deliver the knockout punch that ‘Dil Chahtha Hai’ had.

And this guy does it again... with ‘Rock On’... with the help of his dad, Javed Akhtar... and the musical inputs of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy... Need I say more?

Let me tell you why I’m raving about this movie, “Rock On”. [Of course, I’m jumping around to the soundtrack on my iPod while I write this.]

What stands out, most of all, is that Luke Kenny and Arjun Rampal have shed their ‘pretty cool boy’ images and have embraced, with consummate ease, roles that are in my opinion, a darker, pragmatic, domesticated, antithesis-like personality in the movie. Arjun Rampal was fantastic!

All performances have been delivered with unmistakable authenticity... and I mean, everyone of them! That’s what makes the movie so believable yet surreal.

The plot was well-constructed that makes intelligent connections between the past and the present... some people call this sort of thing ‘flashbacks’... which leaves you wanting to know the whats and whys of the ‘past’ yet not revealing everything immediately.

I think Javed Akhtar is an icon. Period. His ability to adapt to a youth-oriented storyline such as this shows that his work transcends time, context and his continued ability to bridge the generational gap.

I liked every song on this movie.

But for its trippy, hard-rockish feel... “Zehreeley” gets a 5 on 5... that vocalist is just fantastic!

Tum Ho Tho... was the epitome of a ‘love song’ in Hindi that has, indeed, come of age... BEAUTIFUL! And of course, my favorite ‘Socha Hai’.

And finally, what really touched me about the movie was its message:
1) Follow your dream, it’s never too late.
2) It’s OK to make mistakes but accepting them and confronting your inner demons are the ONLY way to “live a fuller life”.
3) And even if reality bites you again and again... stay on course! Never give up. No matter what. Period.

Yes, it’s MagiK all the way. Cool, with a capital K.

Way to go, Farhan... we love you and are very proud of you... keep pushing the limits.

Bollywood needs a permanent upgrade. :)