Rockstar is a simple story of a boy who wants to be a rockstar. Who looks up to Jim Morrison. Who is a simpleton at heart. Disconnected from the real world. For some unexplained reason Imtiaz has told the story in such a complicated manner, that one fails to understand the logic behind several parts of the script.

Rockstar goofs up quite a bit in the writing and editing department. The movie could’ve been much shorter, without cutting the songs…which means some scenes are just too stretched…like the Prague sequence. Writing is flawed at many places…Ranbir’s love barely looks like love…whenever he meets Nargis he’s on some testosterone overdose…most unlike an Imtiaz Ali treatment (the love stories in Socha Na Tha or Jab We Met were based on feelings and not feeling each other). The first half of the film does have its moments, so does part of the second half. I guess about 20 mins after the interval the film gets stretched and irrational. What was the reason for Nargis’ illness angle? Aise hi movie ka running time badhane ke liye? The opening sequence leaves you wondering what the hell happened and the movie’s end joins back to where it began (the entire story is told in non-linear flashback)…even after the movie ends you don’t know anything about the opening sequence…add to that a supremely confusing finale.

Ranbir’s emotional graph is so damn erratic…forget the aam junta, I’m sure even he must’ve got confused while seeing the preview screening. For no reason whatsoever he’s losing his cool, picking fights, bashing up people, etc. And much as I would’ve loved to bash Ranbir’s acting…actually he’s really good at it…. it’s the characterization that is flawed. Ditto for Nargis Fakri’s character…completely disconnected in parts. It’s like both inspired by Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde. Having said that, Nargis really got a raw deal in the film…she’s got no big scene, no big lines…bah…could’ve been any other model (yep, she’s still a model…not an actor). Kumud Mishra who plays Khatana has possibly the best written character because it is consistent….and he’s really good in his role. Piyush Mishra is very good too. Aditi Rao is completely wasted. The rest are just there as fillers.

Two departments where the movie scores is music and cinematography. A.R.Rehman’s score is amazing. Every song has something special..though some of them take time to grow on the listener, eventually you’ll love the entire soundtrack. Regards cinematography….if someone shoots the most picturesque locales in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir and Prague, how wrong can the visuals go?

There are a few sequences to be watched out for….the Junglee Jawani sequence…Ranbir-Shammi’s first meeting….Ranbir tearing the agreement…some sequences in Stephen’s college.

Overall, Ranbir puts in an earnest performance but is let down by the writing. I’d recommend watching it for Ranbir’s performance and really good music.

Bol begins on a rather unusual note, with the protagonist narrating her life’s story to the media, just before being hanged for homicide. As the viewer you’re wondering why would anyone do so? Zainub tells the story of her family which relocated from Delhi to Lahore in 1948. A family where her father, the Hakim wants a son at any cost, which results in 14 pregnancies for the mother. 7 girls survive and the 8^th is born a hermaphrodite. The problems faced by the family due to the father’s patriarchal nature, the hermaphrodite’s introduction to society, a large family with one earning member, etc. forms the crux of the story.

What works for Bol are the strong story (Shoaib Mansoor), a fitting climax, hard-hitting dialogues, stellar performances by Manzar Sehbai and Humaima Malik and an effective background score by Baqir Abbas. Every sequence between the father and eldest daughter fills the narrative with tension. You can’t take your eyes off the screen when the two of them are together in the frame. On the flipside, the screenplay is not watertight and deviates from the plot, at places. The portions with Iman Ali and the songs don’t add to the story, and can be easily cut. The music is good but it could’ve done with being in the OST. Another problem with Bol is the pacing of the story…it unfolds at a languid pace, which is a combination of both, a loose screenplay and slow movements between scenes.

Much as I loathed the character while watching the film, the father’s role essayed by Manzar Sehbai, is the best performance in the film. His chauvinistic ideologies, his skewed religious beliefs, the gall to go to any extent to get money into the house…terrifically written character. You just can’t help hating him. Humaima Malik as Zainub, the eldest daughter is also extremely competent. Her role as the protector for her siblings and mother, as the tough decision maker, as the rebel is crafted as an opposite of the father. Shafqat Cheema as the pimp is as sleazy as one can possibly be…it’s a treat watching him. Apart from these three the film doesn’t give much scope to anyone else, save a few sequences for Ayesha, the other rebel sister (Mahira Khan). I won’t even mention the other characters, since they’re inconsequential to the story.

Overall, Bol is a daring film that raises vital questions, challenges tradition and shows us the spirit of the younger generation. Though the story is set in Pakistan, I couldn’t help but draw parallels with India…the situations, characters, problems are as much a reality in India. Also, I don’t think that the movie mirrors problems specifically related to Islam…they’re as much prevalent in Hindus, Christians or any other religion.

If you’re looking for frivolous cinema with fun and laughter, please don’t watch Bol. The group sitting behind me obviously didn’t have any sensitivity towards the other viewers, as they were busy laughing, passing inane comments and discussing a recent party. Watch Bol if you’re looking for mature cinema with real emotions. It’ll leave you speechless.

Kyun na bane hum musafir
Jazbaaton ki kashti mein
Leheron ke sang badhe ik duje ki ore
Aur mile armaanon ke kinaare pe

Mehsoos karo meri betaabi ko
Mehsoos karo meri tanhayee ko
Baahon me gher lo mujhe aise
Lage ki meri zindagi ka koi astitva ho

Tumhare bina kaise kate yeh pal
Na mein jaanoon na hi khuda
Bas yeh dil jaanta hai
Ab lamhon me na hoga gham
Na yeh dhadkane hongi juda