On 10 years of Rockstar, 5 reasons why we find it hugely overrated
Released on November 11, 2011, Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar is often considered a masterpiece. But is it really a masterpiece? Ranbir Kapoor’s acting skills, AR Rahman’s music and beautiful locations are some of the factors that saved the movie. It is one of Ranbir Kapoor’s best performances, for which he received several awards.
Well, Rockstar is 10 years old today. And here are 5 reasons why we find it hugely overrated.
1. Why so long and messy?
The duration of the movie (2 hours and 39 minutes) is one factor that closely spoiled the storyline. It made the movie messy, confusing, and took it off track.
2. Jordan runs after success, but doesn't live it
Jordan - Ranbir's character in Rockstar - is an angry star in the film. But why is he so frustrated only on the stage? Wasn’t becoming a rockstar his dream?! He needs to start living it at some point!
3. From a 2021 POV, Jordan comes across as too extra
Jordan is a frustrated young man as a rockstar. We get it, the movie was in 2011, and the world wasn't as dreary as it is today (hello, no Covid!), and music concerts didn't mean gasp, virus! But even in 2011, the stereotype of the angry, misbehaved rockstar came across as a little extra. Jordan showing the finger at a concert might have gotten him cancelled pronto.
4. Heartbreak is not equal to art
“Toote huye dil se hi sangeet nikalta hai,” this famous dialogue from the movie is the reason why Jordan fell in love with Heer (played by Nargis Fakhri). Yes, that's all. To have his heart broken. As per this theory, heartbreak can make one produce good music but what about talent, creativity and hard work? We'll let you know when we've had (another) heartbreak.
5. If heartbreak is important, does it work?
After having his heart broken, Jordan is angry, flipping people off on stage, singing about weird stuff, vomiting on the red carpet and what not! So a heartbreak didn’t really do the trick. As for music... AR Rahman saved the day.
Now when you (re)watch Rockstar, you're going to re-think the above. If not, well, you love Ranbir a little too much.