It was, perhaps, appropriate that Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar was asked to sum up the message of his latest film on the day that much of the world was shocked by the results of a US presidential election that has exposing deep divisions and prejudices within American society.
"Rock On 2 is a movie that talks about how music unites us, and no matter which generation or what language you speak, the fact is that music is a common language that can be used to unite people for a larger cause," he says.
In this sequel to the 2008 original film, Akhtar returns as Aditya Shroff, lead singer of the rock band Magik. Other returning stars include Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Prachi Desai.
The film also introduces two new characters – Jiah Sharma, played by Shraddha Kapoor, and Uday Mishra, played by Shashank Arora – who join the original band.
Akhtar and Kapoor, who sing their own songs in the musical drama, performed shows in India to promote the film – and revealed that there are plan to bring the Rock On 2 live experience to the UAE.
"We played in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, when Rock On!! was released," says Akhtar. "So I do look forward to going back. The audience there is amazing and they know all the songs. There are moments when you hold the mic out and you don't have to sing at all."
Rock On!! established Akhtar as an unconventional singer, and introduced rock music to mainstream Bollywood. The follow-up, he says, will delve deeper into the lives of the band members, and also introduce new sounds to music fans.
“The first film was about friendship, but more importantly it was about how a person can truly be at peace with themselves if they follow their dreams and live up to their passions,” says Akhtar.
“This film is a little bit broader and wider, and talks about how music goes beyond personal problems, and unites.”
The movie takes the characters away from the big city setting of Mumbai and drops them in Shillong, in the north-east of India.
Director Shujaat Saudagar says that the country’s “rock capital” was chosen for a reason.
“The process of finding the location was to show and portray the North-east in mainstream Hindi cinema, which hasn’t been done before” he says.
“The music here is absolutely incredible. We have featured a few Khasi [traditional music] songs in the film. We also have a very famous local band, Summersalt, who are featured in the film.”
Rampal says the movie will also reflect the rapid changes in the music industry in the eight years since the release of the first film.
“There has been quite an evolution in the past eight years, with technology and social media,” he says. “We look at what the new generation is exposed to nowadays. They are more sharp and confident than we were back then. So it’s about bringing a new generation of talent to Magik, and how they affect our music.”
Kapoor says she had wanted to be part of a Rock On!! sequel from the moment she saw the first film.
“I remember confidently telling my father that if this was every made, I will be part of it,” says the 29-year-old.
“My character Jiah is troubled, and there is something that is holding her back from pursing her music.”
Kapoor, a trained singer – and the daughter of Indian actor Shakti Kapoor – says hasn’t read any reviews of her songs in the film as yet.
“I’m a really bad multitasker, and I’ve been so busy with the film and promotion, that I just haven’t read any of it,” she says.
Akhtar, meanwhile, remains unfazed by the criticism he often gets for his husky voice.
“We do what we do because we love it,” he says. “Some people will like it, others won’t. I’ve never claimed to be a professional playback singer.
“But for this film it was important that this character be able to express himself the way he can. That’s why I think a lot of people support the music and like the songs in the first movie. Some purists don’t and I can’t do much about that – they have a choice not to listen to it.”
He admits, however, that he worries about the music not having mass appeal.
"Of course you want your music to do well and become popular before the movie is released," he says. "We are seeing that happen. But even with Rock On!!, the music didn't do well until the movie came out. The music was panned by every critic.
“It was only when people saw the film and what the songs meant in terms of the narrative of the movie – why they were in the film, how they took the story forward – that’s when it made sense to the people. I hope that happens again.”
Rock On 2 is in UAE cinemas from November 10
aahmed@thenational.ae
