Rock On 2: Lull, Dull and not ‘Magik’al

Back in 2008, we saw a group of 4 boys - Aditya Shroff (Farhan Akhtar), Joe Mascarenhas (Arjun Rampal), Kedar Zaveri ak.a. KD (Purab Kohli) and Rob Nancy (Luke Kenny) - who came together for a band called ‘magik’ and made music which we all loved and grooved to. Then they took a break and now again, 8 years later, they are back after being pulled in many directions away from their music. But this time the band Magik not only lacks Rob (Luke Kenny), but also lacks the magic which made their music popular.

It is as if the movie resumes from where it left us few years back. The now grown up men have moved on in life, are pursuing dreams on different prospects and have with bigger issues to tackle. Aditya, fondly called Adi (who is the lead singer of their band Magik) lives alone in scintillating locales of Meghalaya, cut off from the world he knew. KD (the drummer), also the narrator of the movie, now has a flourishing recording business. Joe Mascarenhas (the lead guitarist) looks as dapper as before, owns a bar and has evolved as a very successful reality show judge.

The band has separated but are still friends. They share the same chemistry as before, but have never performed or thought of it again. Cut to a birthday sequence, the band mates meet and discuss about performing again, but neither of them is convinced. But there comes a moment which brings Adi’s life to a standstill. He is forced to leave Meghalaya and there he once again joins Joe and KD. The trio meet budding singer/performers Jia and Uday.

Jia (Shraddha Kapoor) gets introduced to the audience as one who is disturbed due to her issues with her dad, passionate about music and who finds solace in spending time doing what she loves. Oh yes, and there’s this new guy Uday (Shashank Arora), who has nothing to do but follow Shraddha and play Sarod (only in 2-3 scenes).

Some incidents from the past disturb Adi’s life and apparently have a relation with the present too. What is the incident? How does it affect the band? Why do they fail in impressing us, the audience? I dare you to watch the movie to know it.

It would be a BIG lie if I say that the actors have done the best to convince us as musicians. Adi is sad and dull, Joe is bland, KD is hyperactive, Jia is confused and Uday appears here-and-there. Unfortunately, neither of them has put enough efforts to impress. Somehow it does feel that the actors have performed these roles with an overconfidence of being famous as ‘the band of boys’. Adi and Jia have shared a confusing, half-baked chemistry, which was not necessary.  

The major let down in the film is the screenplay, which is full of drama, emotions and doesn’t focus much of music at all. Their attempt to show poverty, corruption and increasing interest in social media, add no value to the movie. The story is snail-paced and lacks enthusiasm. Hence, the effort put by the team to convey the message remains unclear and does not come across well.

Honestly, I did not like anything in this movie. The 2h 22m spent in the theatre was full of boredom and sighs. Give it a miss. I bet you wouldn’t miss anything if you do not watch it.