In the year 2008, we saw Indian rock musical drama film ‘Rock On’ written & directed by Abhishek Kapoor and produced by Farhan Akhtar, and with music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The film also marked the debut of Farhan Akhtar & Prachi Desai. And now, we see them returning through the sequel of this film ‘Rock On 2’ with original film artistes Arjun Rampal & Purab Kohli along with Shraddha Kapoor and Shashank Arora joining this team.
The sequel begins with Joe Mascarenhas( Arjun Rampal) playing the Judge of a reality show, making adjustments with the company to favour participants to increase the TRPs, besides running his own recording studio along with his friends. But, we find his friend Aditya Shroff ( Farhan Akhtar) repenting on his past mistake, for not listening to the audition recorded by a struggler, who later commits suicide.So he leaves his wife and child in Mumbai and goes to Meghalaya to start farming and cooperative activity with the help of local labourers. His friends and wife Sakshi ( Prachi Desai) go to convince him to return back home, but he prefers to stay there.
However, when his farms are destroyed by natural disaster, Aaditya returns back to Mumbai . He does keep in touch with his Meghalaya colleagues. And, when he comes to know that a local trader, who is politician’s relative has deprived the villagers from getting the help, he with his friends decides to raise funds for them, by hosting music concerts. He receives help from Jiah( Shraddha Kapoor) a composer & singer and Uday ( Shashank Arora) and succeeds in his mission.
‘Rock On 2’ has a good screenplay, which retains its originality mixing music with emotions. With good performances by all lead artistes , good support comes from Kumud Mishra ( Jiah’s father) and others. The film captures picturesque locations of North East, through the lenses of Marc Koninckx. Music of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is top class, besides good direction by Shujaat Saudagar. Certainly a worth watch film, as it certainly has good content, besides offering quality music.
Rating ( ***1/2)