Had an impossible dream that almost came true? One that was 5 steps shy of becoming reality? And then poof! Gone! Just like that. And you shut the door so hard on it that you refuse to even acknowledge it?
That’s what happened to Aditya, Rob, KD and Joe.
Aditya Shroff(Farhan Akthar) is an investment banker. And a workaholic. He lives, breathes and sleeps his job and makes piles and piles of money, lives in a perfectly decorated apartment and drives a BMW.
He’s married to Sakshi(Prachi Desai) a super rich housewife who had never had to lift a finger to even get old boxes from the attic and has dresses of her choice delivered home.
Rob(Luke Kenny) is a musician who creates jingles and provides some score for other musicians like Anu Malik
KD(Purab Kohli) aka Kedar Zaveri is a bored heir to his father’s jewellery business whiling away his time.
Joe(Arjum Pampal) is a failed musician who sits around doing nothing while his once stylist wife, Debbie(Sahana Goswami) runs his family fish business and struggles to pay the bills.
But 10 years ago these guys were Magik. A rock band that went on to battle and win the title for the most popular rock band, an album and music video all courtesy of Channel V.
But then compromise, producers who cant recognize true talent and egos get in the way and Magik breaks up and the band members move on to do more mundane things in their life.
But an emptiness continues to haunt them as they whoosh along pretending all is well.
Sakshi who senses a restlessness in her husband discovers some old photographs of the band and starts to slowly unravel the past, bringing the foursome back together after 10 long years.
Can they put the past behind them and rediscover the friendship forged years ago?
Will they work their Magik again?
Rock On has it’s heart in the right place and thats what makes it work. And of course stellar performances by the cast.
Farhan Akthar makes a rocking debut 
. He does have an unusual voice and to get up and record a whole album takes courage. And he pulls it off with panache!!! He may not be the greatest of singers but he doesn’t sing through his nose either!! But where he truly rocks is when it comes to acting. His tormented Aditya pulls at your heart strings and he is pure charm as the rocker. And it only helps he looks totally yummy 
Arjun Rampal does well as the super talented guitarist who can never market himself to get recognition.
Not too much of a talker his eyes and body language reflect the failures that haunt him.
And there is finally an explanation for the abysmal hairdo he was seen sporting for months. I was beginning to wonder what happened to my favourite man 
Both Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny pitch in wonderfully understated performances.
Sahana Goswami works wonders with her supportive girlfriend turned bitter slaving wife. Hats off!
Prachi Desai has got to be the most sober character of the lot. But she pulls off her uber rich wife with a quiet strength that makes you look deeper and beyond the flash.
The music is what could be termed Indian commercial rock
All true blue rock fans will admit that no matter how good the guitar play is when the lyrics are belted out in Hindi it seems less of rock song
But the music works. It sure is different from the regular fare and work much better as part of the movie than just listening to the sound track. Dont think of it as “rock” music and you’ll enjoy it. Remember Metallica’s Black Album? It was their most commercial album and rather “unrock” but also their most popular one
Rock On is a movie made by rock fans. Guys who grew up on Floyd and Mettalica and other gods of rock. The show at the climax is all Floyd Rock On is also a movie made by Abhishek Kapoor. I still find it hard to believe that someone who can make Aryan can make Rock On….but then Ashutosh Gowariker made Baazi before Laagan
Take a bow Abhishek. And rock on!
Watch this!!