PremiumImtiaz Ali thrilled by Ranbir Kapoor-starring Rockstar's theatrical comeback - 'Reinforces the idea of dreaming'
Imtiaz Ali celebrates Rockstar’s re-release success, noting its journey from polarizing to popular.
Last Updated: 08.56 AM, Jun 13, 2024
The positive reception to his 2011 film Rockstar, which has now experienced a revival in theatres nearly thirteen years after its first release, has pleasantly surprised Imtiaz Ali. The Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri film is attracting huge audiences despite its simple online availability.
Imtiaz Ali’s reflection and re-release experience
During an interaction with HT City, Ali shared that this response just serves to bolster the concept of dreaming. He has seen Rockstar two times since its theatrical re-release! He goes on to admit that he missed out on seeing the film in its genuine 2011 theatre setting.
Movie buffs adore Rockstar, which has become a cult classic. However, the initial release elicited mixed reactions.
For the first time in Ali's professional life, he got conflicting feedback. Some thought it was absurd, while others failed to perceive its utility. Some people thought it was great. He will never forget the affection he received from those people. The filmmaker claims that the percentage of people who like it now is higher than in the past.
Financial success and relevance of theatrical re-releases
Ali is pleased because the film has already made around Rs. 3 crore.
What matters is that it generated a tidy profit this time around. He concludes by saying it is such a wonderful idea to bring back films like this to theatres, adding that this is particularly pertinent given recent claims about people's reluctance to see films in theatres.
Synopsis of Rockstar’s plot
In Rockstar, immersed in music and his goals of enchanting audiences worldwide, Janardhan Jakhar (Ranbir) spends his life as an individual. Immense music originates from immense agony, which this Delhi child internalises from his mentor friend (Kumud Mishra), even when he faces disappointing auditions and frustrated attempts at music creation. Those who have never felt the anguish of losing a loved one cannot comprehend the profundity and power of magnificent music.
The next step for Janardhan is to seek out the anguish that will elevate his life and music above the mundane. The stunning college sweetheart, Heer (Nargis), is the object of his proposal. Although he appears calm and collected on the outside, Heer harbours an immense reservoir of pent-up passion that is just ready to burst forth. Janardhan and Heer's narrative begins with lighthearted banter, but as the days go by, the emotions between them get deeper, more passionate, and more exposed.
Heer and Janardhan say their goodbyes as she gets ready to tie the knot in Prague. Words and music, channelled from Janardhan's anguish over separation, reach beyond the physical and spiritual realms. While Janardhan yearns for and accepts Heer's absence from his life, he transforms into Jordan and pursues his love mercilessly. As Jordan flies into the sky in his career, he comes to terms with the fact that his and Heer's story takes place in a realm outside of reality, where genuine love is the only substance required and the music is innocent.
You can stream Rockstar on JioCinema and ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium).