Rock On 2 (2016)

Pretty Good

People are voting emotionally.

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Directed by Shujaat Saudagar, Rock On 2 chronicles the journey of the estranged music band Magik after 5 years where the prequel had left it.Here , the friends – Adi,Joe and KD( respectively played by Farhan,Arjun Rampal and Purab Kohli) who are busy with their individual lives, unite for a purpose and with the inclusion of new talents – Jia(Shraddha Kapoor) and Uday(Shashank Arora).Unlike Rock On,which blended music so seamlessly into the film's emotional fabric , the sequel doesn't quite recreate the 'magik' of its original.Saudagar's approach appears labored and the narrative is saddled with plot contrivances that you can guess from a mile.The film's bright spots lie with the assuring camaraderie with the Magik men, even though they have transformed into more mature,sullen and mellowed versions from their impulsive selves' with the lapse of time.The visuals of the Meghalayan landscape is stunning and juxtaposing Shillong as the rock capital is a righteous endeavor.The films tracks have nothing great to rave about and the emotional core seldom connects with our hearts.But to give the credits where its due,its the earnest performances of the actors – Farhan,Arjun and Purab that makes you stay invested with it.Rating 2.5/5

Rock On 2, a musical drama film, by Shujaat Saudagar connects Music to Life. Although the backdrop of the film is music and the comraderies amongst the Magik band members / friends, the film does spread its wings to much larger horizons. The film does reiterate the fact that music has tremendous power – the power to connect hearts, the power to heal the wounded souls, the power to deal with inner conflicts, the power to break the barriers across genres, the power to unite people across various regions / demographics, and the power to grow beyond one's self-interest / personal gains to think of the broader social context / cause etc. Rock on 2 is a sequel to 2008 film 'Rock on' and it certainly has its own moments.The film is narrated by KD (Purab Kohli), who explains what happens to the three key members / friends of 'Magik' Band and where they are now after a period of almost eight years. Adi (Farhan Akhtar) is away from the hustle-bustle of Mumbai City and settled in Meghalaya. Adi is involved in tea plantation there, as well as he helps the villagers in making their own livelihood, runs a farmers' cooperative and a school for the children. Adi is very much loved by the villagers. Joe (Arjun Rampal) is a Judge for Music based Reality Show and he also is a partner of a posh club. KD earns his livelihood from music compositions and is hopeful of Magik getting together again. Although all three chose separate paths and designed their own course of lives, they shared a wonderful comradery amongst them. One does get clue that 'Magik' no longer perform together. It seems, some unpleasant event made them chart their own lives away from Magik. They all get together for Adi's birthday along with Sakhsi (Prachi Desai) and Debbie (Shahana). The geographical distance has certainly affected Adi and Sakshi's (couple) marriage. Adi does not succumb to his friends' and Sakshi's plea to return to Mumbai, Music and Magik, he really is very much skeptical. Jiah (Shraddha Kapoor), Udai (Shashank Arora, Titli fame), and Pandit Bibuthi (Kumud Mishra) form an integral part of the story. Although Jiah herself is facing inner conflicts, she becomes instrumental in bringing Magik together to perform and recreating the magic of music.What makes Adi move to distant lands of Meghalaya from Mumbai, Music and Magik? What challenges are faced by Adi in his social work? Which aspect of the past troubles him and apparently keeps him away from Magik and Music ? How Jiah and Udai become part of the thread of Rock On 2? When and how do the Magik band get together and perform ? How does the magic of music heal the wounded souls? Farhan as Adi is certainly able to depict Adi's gloom, pain, frustrations, need for redemption etc. in an intense manner. Arjun as Joe is able to bring out his practical approach towards life in a much matured manner. Purab as KD makes the narrative flow and also brings out very well his priority to be a bridge in friendship. Prachi as Sakshi and Shahana as Debbie have less screen time but they certainly facilitate the story to move ahead. Shraddha as Jiah, a musician and bohemian traveller is very good. Her face does depict the pain and anger. Shashank Arora as Udai does make his presence felt. Kumud Mishra as Pandit Bibhuti is a man of less words in the film and one can feel the pain of his character - a veteran musician's frustrations, pain of loss and as a purist his denying the fusion music. In spite of using the music as the backdrop of the film, what rules the film is the concept that music needs to be set free for it to flow freely. Music can create wonders by uniting people. The film does talk about how a veteran who has mastered and worshipped Classical music may feel that contemporary music is absolutely out of place and just full of noise. This mismatch between Frames of Reference and Territory can give births to tragedies in life. There is a beautiful scene where Usha Uthup along with Kit Shangpliang and Pynsuklin Syiemiong from Summersalt Band come together to sing "Hoi Kie /Chalo Chalo" which depicts the tremendous power of music and the magic it can create. The film also talks about how one needs to move on and make 'self' free from the shackles of past / self-blame and look within for powers. Another powerful scene where Shdraddha Kapoor steals the show is Jiah's conversation with her father. The cinematography by Marc Koninckx is excellent, mMeghalayan landscapes are beautifully captured.Rock On 2 rocks. In spite of using the music as the backdrop of the film, what rules the film is the concept that music needs to be set free for it to flow freely. The film does spread its wings to much broader horizons using the tremendous power attached to music. Indeed, every generation finds its own voice. Watch the film for its intense performances.

First up I was very excited to watch this film, it being a sequel to my favorite Bollywood film. But believe me it is so BAD that it would me an absolute insult comparing it with it predecessor. Shitty dialogues, illogical story line, no music (at all).Acting wise, it really didn't matter, because the story itself is so pathetic. Personally, I felt extremely insulted because of the way the story goes. It makes people look like they are a bunch of dumb wits because it is such an unbelievably nonsensical piece of crap. I still have no clue why there was a sequel made of such an amazing film. Ironically I always wanted to write a positive review on the first part because it was such a good film(never got around doing that), but here I am writing an entirely opposite review for it's sequel. It totally screwed up the first part for me as well.

An unsuccessful attempt to merge the previous version with the new direction and story. Bad acting, worse script and even worse direction. When you see the film you realize Shankar Ehsaan Loy have done a good job (if not great, of course) with the music. It's easily visible that the makers were not ready with the right ingredients for this sequel. This movie shouldn't have been made (from a die hard Rock On fan).Storyline Rating: 2 Content: 2 Commercialization: 3 Entertainment: 2Acting Rating: 2 Farhan Akhtar: 2 Purab Kohli: 3 Shraddha Kapoor: 2 Arjun Rampal: 1 Shashank Arora: 2Direction Rating: 1Music Rating: 3Cinematography: 3Editing: 1