The window of the movie opened to a green meadow but the scene soon shifts to the cacophony of erratic old mohalla of an old Indian city. I think I had expected a lot. While watching the movie, the thing I missed most was the two novels, Wuthering Heights and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Though I haven't read or watched the later one but all I mean by referring to such works is the movie is superficial. It couldn't reach to the core of its themes.
The thing that marred the originality and sincerity of the movie was that Ranbir Kapoor was sounding like Ranveer Singh of Band Baja Barat. Due to this factor, the movie at time seems seemed to overlap with Band Baja Barat. The western thought and serious themes which it strives to present is overshadowed by the foisted Indianness.The conflict of the movie shifts from "making of an artist" to "falling in love". And here's the whole problem lies. If you think the movie is about how to be a Rockstar, you are wrong. As juvenile Indian youth might take the message that to be a great artist you need to have a broken heart, which is not a fact and of course can't be imposed on life.
Another fact that mars the beauty of movie is the artificiality of Nargis. But I would really commend her at times when she is really able to present the conflict between heart and mind. I just wish the dialogues were more polished.
From another point of view, the movie is an excellent critique of the myth of getting fame after broken heart. Towards the end, after experiencing life, Jordan says, "Nahi ban.na mujhey bada insaan. Mera dil nahi tutna chahiye." But the only dialogue that is a jewel of the movie is, "pata hai....yahan se bahut door galat aur sahi ke pare ek maidan hai , wahan milunga main tujhe". This takes me back to the cardinal theme of Wuthering Heights - Few things are beyond morality and immorality, they are Amoral.
... ... The song "Sadda Haq" has touched many souls just because everyone feels the same thing "auron ka mujh per mujhse bhi jyada haq hai"... And this takes me back to the Rousseau, "Man was born free but he is everywhere in chains." So a new come back of Angry Young Man in Bollywood?
But go a little off the track and you can create the Happiness. That's what they try to do, Jordan and Nargis. "Ye hamari duniya hai, yahan na journalists hain na camera, na doctors na hospital, na court cases..." Happiness can be created, and you really don't need to be a Rockstar for that, just a star of someone's eyes.
