Review: ‘Rock On 2’ Didn’t Even Rock Half as Much As the First One

(Photo: YouTube Screenshot)

About eight years back we witnessed the members of the band ‘Magik’ weave magic together! The music, bonhomie, the beautifully-crafted emotional scenes – all ensured that we carve a special place in our hearts for Rock On.

2016 gets us the sequel.

Rock on 2 is a rocky ride, thanks to the golden rule being flouted.

Don’t make a sequel if you have nothing better to say!!!

But they went ahead still. This time with a new director Shujaat Saudagar.

Producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, in their hurry to capitalise on the goodwill of Rock On, burden us instead with a rather unnecessary and laboured plot line.

Purab Kohli's voice tells us about the scattered and bruised band members.

Farhan Akhtar as Adi is now busy with CSR activities. Joe (Arjun Rampal) is a reality TV judge. Sahana Goswami and Prachi Desai have a hi-and-bye routine with two new additions – Shradhha Kapoor and Shashank Arora.

The "magic" of the original is now limited to some old tricks employed to entice us.

Beautiful locations of Meghalaya. Shraddha for visual pleasure. Farhan Akhtar’s songs for his loyalists anmove upmove downdeleteminimize d some emotional manipulation thrown in.

Being a movie that revolves around music, the songs of the original really struck a cord with the audiences; the sequel fails to deliver. The trinity, Shankar Ehsan Loy’s score is average at best.

Like the old 500 and 1000 rupee notes, Rock On 2 seems well past its expiry date. Despite Shraddha Kapoor giving one of her best performances and some heartwarming moments between the members of the original cast, it is strictly average.

I give it 2.5 QUINTS out of 5.

Also Read: Music Review: ‘Rock On 2’ Leaves Us Less Than Impressed