Rock Star- Ranbir Kapoor, Imitiaz Ali

[Dolce~oro]

I found this article quite interesting. So cool to know these things before you see the movie. I will keep an eye out for them. Also love the thought process, or at least the part of it that is revealed here.

Ranbir's Rockstar Character Inspired from Imtiaz's Friend
Hindustan Times

Director Imitiaz Ali and Ranbir Kapoor are quite kicked about the latter’s character, Janardan’s transition to Jordan in Rockstar. Jordan is loosely based on Imtiaz’s Jat friend, who lived in a small settlement in Pritampura.

Imtiaz says, “Jordan’s character is like a falcon because of his sturdiness and restlessness. There is a fire inside him that he is not able to vent. He deals with it alone, never finding a way... This reference has been used throughout the film.”

He adds, “Jordan is a vagabond travelling from one place to another, such as Prague. He doesn’t have a house, like a bird that keeps changing its destination.”

Imtiaz adds, “As Janardan, he knew he had music inside him, but wasn’t confident until a breakthrough happened. Even when his music and talent faces reality, Jordan doesn’t realise the extent to which his fame is growing. After a point, that ceases to matter and only music drives him.”

Imtiaz, stylist Aki Narula, hairstylist Aalim Hakim and Ranbir point out how painstakingly each look was created, keeping in mind Jordan’s journey from living in Pritampura to being thrown out of his home and having to stay at the dargah (Muslim tomb). Ranbir says, “At this point, Jordan lets himself loose, not taking care or thinking about himself.”

Imtiaz reveals that the film was shot in reverse as they didn’t want to break the continuity of Ranbir’s hairstyle. So the climax with long hair was shot first. Banjara phase in Prague Ranbir is wearing a khaki malmal chikankari kurta with a t-shirt hood attached. Narula says, “Jordan, is a collector of memories of the different phases of his life. The t-shirt is from his college phase. He cuts it up and attaches it to his kurta. The kurta is from the dargah phase. The patchwork waistcoat is a jester jacket, which the most popular person is made to wear. He teams this up with a pair of roadside jeans bought from Palika bazaar in Delhi during his college phase.”

Jordan also wears a thread neckpiece throughout the film and keeps adding emblems and trinkets to it. So, there’s an element from his mother’s earring, pletrum and strings of the guitar, beads etc. The black band is a talisman from the dargah.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ranbir-s-Rockstar-character-inspired-from-Imtiaz-s-friend/Article1-754165.aspx

[Prem Rogue]

http://mumbaimirror.com/article/30/201110072011100703292680888dd562b/Saadda-Haq-.html

Saadda Haq?
While other contributions have been given due credit on the cover of Rockstar's audio CD, Irshad Kamil has been left out; director Imtiaz Ali claims it's a clerical error
Mehul S Thakkar
Posted On Friday, October 07, 2011 at 03:29:09 AM

The songs from Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar have become instant hits. But reportedly the man responsible for writing the lyrics of the sensational music, Irshad Kamil, has not had the opportunity to revel in his success.

The lyricist has not been given credit on the cover of the audio CD, which was launched last month, at Nizamuddin Dargah. Kamil's name has been left out on the album cover and on the inner pages. Instead, the audio CD has given prominent credit to poet Rumi, whose poem was sung by Ranbir.

A source informed Mumbai Mirror, “Irshad is very upset about the fact that his name is not mentioned anywhere on the music album.

He has written tracks for all of Imtiaz Ali's previous films - Socha Na Tha, Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal. It was Sandesh Shandilya, music director of Socha Na Tha, who had introduced Irshad to Imtiaz.”

When contacted, Imtiaz said,  “It is just a clerical error and sometimes it happens when things are not in our hands. Irshad is my only friend, who has been there with me from the start. In the next lot of the audio CDs, we are going to rectify this mistake.”

T-Series owns the music rights of the film.  When the company's head honcho, Bhushan Kumar was questioned about the missing credit on the album cover, he told us, “This is the fault of the producer, who needed to look at the cover.

The album covers are made by the publicity designer and he must have forgotten about it. Also, we don't have the control to change it. The same mistake happened during Mausam, but I saw it and immediately got it rectified.”

With regard to rectifying the error on the second lot of Rockstar audio CDs, Kumar said, “The second lot has not yet come to us.”

Kamil, however, is not the only one who has had to face such a situation. In the past, music composer, Sagar Desai, filed a case in the Delhi High Court against Sony Music, Fox Star Studios and Phat Phish for not accrediting him as the original music composer of the film Quick Gun Murugan in the CDs, posters, theatrical prints and website. Irshad Kamil, who currently in Greece, was unavailable for comment.


Someone should tell the author that Bhushan Kumar is the Chairman & Managing Director of T-Series and that "head honcho" is not an official title.

[Sanyogita]

Despite my very negative first impression of Nargis Farkhi, I'm actually starting to warm up to this film. And I'm kind of addicted to Katiya Karoon.

[maru7627]

I found this article quite interesting. So cool to know these things before you see the movie. I will keep an eye out for them. Also love the thought process, or at least the part of it that is revealed here.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ranbir-s-Rockstar-character-inspired-from-Imtiaz-s-friend/Article1-754165.aspx

Ditto! Love the process stuff esp. in this case where the movie trailer and plot outline didn't do much for me. Sometimes I like the how and the why more than the what   Like Sanyogita, thanks to the music and this article I'm also a lot more positive about this film.

[JodhaBai]

Latest promo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=y0G8nzBKMmE

I think this is awful. Ranbir's look and acting is too OTT.

[tabula rasa]

The visuals and voice don't match up, is all. Ranbir looks like he's yelling out the lyrics, while Mohit is going on a personal ruminating mutter. Both don't gel with each other.

Several versions of songs get recorded in the course of getting an album out (sometimes with different singers employed). Perhaps there was a judgmental error on this aspect.

Something tells me this is the song Imtiaz wanted Rahman to have a second go on.

[Remini]

Hawa Hawa (filmed in Prague!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czFew_k4W9Y

[tabula rasa]

I don't like the song, but love the scene - reminds me of Yeh Ishq Hai in Jab We Met. And Ranbir's  dancing is great - esply the Bharathanatyam salute.

[Dolce~oro]

Hawa Hawa (filmed it Prague!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czFew_k4W9Y

I adore the song (it's so Eastern European!  ) and love the promo too much for words! How is it not November 11th yet?!?! And Prague! Squee! (Hoping there will be more of it in the actual movie.)

[Sanyogita]

What a great promo   Señorita from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and now Hawa Hawa From Rockstar, I hope this starts a trend for songs set in foreign locations that do not just focus on whori goris. This is such a beautiful song, and gorgeous visuals to match too, I'm getting excited for this film despite myself.  

Nargis is really annoying me though. It's like the director told her to be a happy, free-spirited girl, and she's just doing that in the most one-dimensional way possible. She's obviously beautiful, but she looks a little idiotically blissful here. And does anybody else think that the movie is set partly in Prague, because Nargis is half-Chekh? I was reading her interview with Filmfare online, and she said that Imitiaz had basically never met her, just seen her pictures in thhe Kingfisher Swimsuit calendar, and he had decided to cast her in film, flying her into Prague to talk about it, and she only agreed to go because she wanted to visit her mother's birthplace.  

[Remini]

What a great promo  Señorita from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and now Hawa Hawa From Rockstar, I hope this starts a trend for songs set in foreign locations that do not just focus on whori goris. This is such a beautiful song, and gorgeous visuals to match too, I'm getting excited for this film despite myself.   

I know! Me too

I was reading her interview with Filmfare online, and she said that Imitiaz had basically never met her, just seen her pictures in thhe Kingfisher Swimsuit calendar, and he had decided to cast her in film, flying her into Prague to talk about it, and she only agreed to go because she wanted to visit her mother's birthplace. 

Yeah, why cast an actress when he can have a swimsuit model Let's hope she's a natural at acting.

[leaf]

Meet 'Rockstar' babe Nargis Fakhri’s husband!
Renuka Vyavahare, TNN Nov 3, 2011

Brazilian by birth, international model Moufid Aziz debuts with Nargis Fakhri in Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar, as her reel life husband. Renuka Vyavahare spoke to the newcomer on his debut film and costar Nargis Fakhri.

Born in Brazil to parents of Portuguese and Arabic heritage, the very handsome Moufid Aziz plays a kashmiri in Imtiaz Ali's much awaited Ranbir Kapoor starrer 'Rockstar'.

After travelling to various countries like Spain, Germany, Japan, Portugal, South Africa to name a few, Moufid has chosen Mumbai as his home since the past four years. The model turned actor has also done ad commercials like LUX where he's worked with Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif. Moufid however now aspires to be an actor, just like his idol Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan.

Moufid plays Nargis Fakhri's husband in Rockstar. So how did this happen?

"The casting agent of Rockstar saw my ads and called me for an audition. Imtiaz thought I fit the part and he chose me. He wanted someone who would look kashmiri as well as someone who's lived abroad. I never planned to act in films but it happened and I did it for Imtiaz Ali. He was the one who gave my very good friend 'Giselli Monteiro' her first Bollywood break in Love Aaj Kal, and she insisted I must work with him. India also seems like a good market for me. I don't know Hindi very well but I am learning" says Moufid (pronounced as Mufid) in somewhat Spanish accent.

Speaking about his role and co-star, the debutante Nargis Fakhri, Moufid adds, "I play Nargis' husband in Rockstar. He is a good husband and a good businessman. Both Nargis and I have done modeling, we still do it. We have a lot in common. We have traveled all across the world and we both struggle as far as Hindi is concerned. So it was good working with her."

Although dismissing any sort of real life chemistry, Moufid clarified with a smile, "It was fun working with Nargis but nothing happened between the two of us. I play a traditional husband in the film so there were no such intimate scenes. When you see a beautiful woman, off the sets...you do like to talk to her, go on a dinner. But nothing of that happened."

As an afterthought, he adds, "I'd love to have a wife like Nargis!"

With male models not making it as big as the female models in films, Moufid knows his limitations too.

"Good looking girls can be eye candies in films but a man will never be selected on the basis of his looks. It's tougher for men. I am not even Indian! It's an honour that I am offered an Indian role in a Hindi film. I hope Rockstar opens further acting avenues for me in India. I am hoping so" concludes Moufid.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-03/news-interviews/30354407_1_nargis-fakhri-imtiaz-ali-rockstar

Nargis Fakhri's Brazilian husband    Garima Sharma, TNN | Nov 9, 2011

Moufid Aziz doesn't know why he's not part of the heavy- duty promotion plan of Imtiaz Ali's " Rockstar", considering he plays the lead actress Nargis Fakhri's husband (who is portrayed as Ranbir Kapoor's love interest), but the model-turned-actor justifies it as the better judgement of his director.

However, Moufid is happy to talk about "Rockstar", his debut project with such a "big production house" and "big names".

Says he, "The promotion details don't go through us, but Imtiaz always likes to have a surprise in his movie and I guess this is that. And anyway, everything in India is about the hero and the heroine." However, Moufid Aziz, or Moufid Abdelaziz Junior, is more than happy with the attention he's getting otherwise. "I've been in India since 2007 and I pay all my taxes here. I've been modelling here for a while now, but I felt I should take the next big step, and that was Bollywood." Once the decision was made, the Brazil-born model then auditioned straight for "Rockstar" and bagged the role.

"When I met Imtiaz for the first time, it was my second audition for "Rockstar". He told me that the way I looked, it was 50% of what he needed. I had the look - I looked Indian, yet a bit of an outsider. But, there was a lot of work to be done around the character. He is a gentleman who is involved in international business ventures. He is the kind of human being who thinks before doing anything and is a family guy. He cares about his mother and his wife ( Nargis Fakhri)," says the model-actor.

Being paired with Nargis was almost like a blessing, says Moufid, adding, "I've done modelling for a few years in places like Germany, Spain, Portugal etc. I've also walked the ramp for Sao Paulo, Barcelona and India Mens Fashion week too. Nargis also was a model like me before she joined movies. She may not be very big right now, but she is a really nice person. We had a lot to talk about - our roots, international exposure, modelling at so many places, etc. We also have a lot of common friends from a few countries, people we've worked together with. So, it was easy to work with her."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Nargis-Fakhris-Brazilian-husband/articleshow/10653551.cms  

[Simran_Singh]

Super. A huge spoiler four days before the film is released. Thanks a lot.

[leaf]

Sorry, Simran. The pre-release thread is going to have stuff like this.  I don't think it's a huge spoiler, but obviously YMMV. I'm going to let the mods make the final call. But I do feel bad if it will ruin the film for you in any way. Half the keys on my keyboard aren't working because I spilled water on it and I'm typing this on an online keyboard, so editing a post is a bit complicated right now.

[Sanyogita]

LOL, with the French guy in English Vinglish and now this foreign model, it looks like firangi men are catching on too. I know this makes the trend of casting White women seem less obnoxious and eglaitarian, but it amuses me that 10 or 15 years down the line, we will probably see Indian movies starring a gori guy romancing a gori girl, set somewhere in Europe/ Morocco or whatever. 

[los angeles]

Super. A huge spoiler four days before the film is released. Thanks a lot.

Yea but these articles are everywhere, all over online if you look up anything about the film, you know? And I actually think it's more the fault of the BW marketing teams over there, as oppose to anyone else. In Hollywood when actors come on interview programs, they often say things like "I can't say too much about my character" or "I'm not allowed to talk about that yet" when it comes to plot/role queries. They reply like this because the studios brief them before they go out on press tours and promotional junkets in order to keep surprises under wraps. And interviewers understand, I mean they want ratings and good sound-bites and all so of course they'll ask lots of questions and try to get as much info as they can. But usually the actors have been instructed beforehand as to what not to say, so you don't end up with story leaks like this days before a release. I think they need to start doing the same thing over in Mumbai/Bombay too, this would help audiences enjoy the movie much more. [Who wants to walk into the theater already knowing everything, please get your act together desi managers/agents/advertisement people ]

Edited: I know I'm stating the obvious here and that everyone knows how it works in Hollywood. I guess I just mean it as a general thing, in that I wish things worked the same way over in India too. Like this actor they interviewed here, he could've said (or been told to say) that he has a key role in the film, but that he can't say exactly who he plays because that would give too much away, or something along those lines. I just think the BW PR folks need to prep their actors ahead of time to be a bit more professional (and a bit less forthcoming) while making the rounds, it would be in their best interest to do that, I would imagine.

[Simran_Singh]

Yea but these articles are everywhere, all over online if you look up anything about the film, you know?

Yes, but those of us who live outside of India are lucky because we can have some control over the amount of pre-release publicity we are exposed to, by not looking up certain things online, and in fact some us make an effort to avoid spoilers for films, especially ones we are highly anticipating.

I saw these same articles posted on a Bollywood gossip site a few days ago but with the spoilery parts thoughtfully redacted, and a warning not to visit the original articles unless you wanted to be spoiled on this aspect of the film.

In the past on this forum people have been very careful about what they post in a film's non-spoiler thread prior (and even after) a film is released, and to this end have made thoughtful use of the spoiler tags, which exist for a reason.

[los angeles]

^ Fair enough, and I've personally also not put things under tags which I most likely should have put under tags. We could all probably be a little more careful about that when posting.
[I still wish the desi movie PR teams would be slightly more secretive with details so we didn't have to be quite so careful about what is posted. Wishful thinking though, to say the least:D]

[Prem Rogue]

http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=50844

Who made the 'Rockstar' posters?

Designer Rahul Nanda and Polish illustrator Grzegorz Domaradzki both claim they have designed the 'Rockstar' posters.

The image of Ranbir Kapoor with long locks and an overgrown beard, looking grim yet rebellious, on the posters of Rockstar gave us the first peek into Imtiaz Ali's film.

However, contrary to the general notion that it was publicity designer Rahul Nanda who created the poster, we came across the official website of a Polish illustrator and web designer, Grzegorz Domaradzki, who claimed that the posters of the film have been designed by him.

He recently spoke in an interview about how he was approached by a Mumbai-based company to design posters for the film and how much he enjoyed the process. He also explained the whole designing process along with the pictures of his sketches.

Says Nanda, "The basic inspiration came from the film. When I read the script I felt why not have a rebellious looking campaign, a bit more evolved and a bit more artistic?" As expected, he took credit for designing the posters and did not mention anyone else's contribution towards the process.

However, when we informed him about Grzegorz's claims, he altered his statements quite a few times. First he said, "There are two international designers who have worked on these posters." Then he called back and said, "I have designed the posters and he (Grzegorz) just reproduced them in the form of paintings."

He called back yet again and said, "The Polish designer is under contract. He is trying to gain publicity out of this." The fourth time he called back, saying, "The idea was developed by me. I sent him the stills from the movie."

The film's producer Rupen Amlani also took Nanda's side, stating, "Rahul has designed the posters and Grzegorz has painted on it"

Grzegorz Domaradzki reverted to us, saying, "First of all, I'm under a confidentiality contract with Rahul Nanda and I cannot reveal too many details about the project.

Rahul Nanda art directed me throughout the project and provided me with the photographs and general concept and idea for the posters. I made precise pencil drawings and later enhanced them on the computer creating digital paintings."

[Dolce~oro]

Have we posted the makings of the songs here?

Naadan Parindey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xDE2sW4_ks&feature=related

Katiya Karun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpUs-_SlH10&feature=related

Tum Ho: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAa3UjKccIM&feature=related

Saadda Haq: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm0Fa3liok0&feature=related

Of course, it figures that I can't find Hawa Hawa.

[Remini]

So... any info on why it's taking FOREVER to release on a dvd?

[encore]

Back in November, a concert was held in Mumbai to promote the film.  It featured A.R.Rehman, Mohit Chauhan, Harshdeep Kaur among others actually performing the songs from the film.

I really enjoyed watching these live performances.  Some of my favorites:

Nadaan Parinday:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhwLg3CPGY4

Katiya Karoon:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6UM4_yoAQk&feature=related

Kun Fayakun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB3wD2THzcI&feature=related

Sadda Haq: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXZV7egVh38&feature=related

The entire concert and the rest of the songs are posted on Youtube - search for "Rockstar concert" if interested.

[Remini]

 Liked it. A lot. But there are still a few issues I had with it. But let’s start with the most important part: Ranbir Kapoor. He deserved all the awards. This wasn’t as much the story of a rockstar, or a love story, as it was a showcase of Ranbir’s acting skills. He never faltered. Not once. Wah! I liked the structure, with the flashbacks and the scenes merging in songs. The soundtrack is outstanding, that’s one thing, but it was also very, VERY well integrated into the plot, the songs actually moved the story forward.

I kinda wish I had gone to Prague when they were filming there, it’s only 4 hours by train… but I wasn’t much into Imtiaz (still am not), and wasn’t really into Ranbir (which I am now :p)… Apropo, Imtiaz… dude, what is wrong with you? Why do you keep casting foreign models? (esp. when you have the lovely Aditi playing a minor role in the same movie? -_-) This movie needed an Indian actress, instead it got a Nargis. Didn't like her much. Luckilly she wasn’t in it long enough to distract me and even in the scenes they had together, I just kept my eyes glued to Ranbir.

He really carried the movie on his shoulders. I honestly couldn’t see many flaws, because he just filled every scene, and filled it well. So even if he was there for most of the movie, without many side characters, it still didn’t get boring. The locations were beautiful and the story quite touching. I liked that there were dark shades to the hero, and loved the way Ranbir portrayed JJ’s anger, confusion, and growth. Some scenes gave me goosebumps.

Overal: Liked it, a lot, but didn’t love it. BUT I can finally say that I have a performance of Ranbir’s that I love. Watch it for him and for the music.

[Parallel_Worlds]

I've only just discovered the music album of Rockstar. It's AWESOME.  I expected good music, but I thought it impossible for Rahman to excel himself once again.  Rockstar proved me wrong.
It's not often that I like all songs on an cd. Some I liked from the start (Kun Faya Kun), others just sneaked upon me (Phir se UD Chala, Tum Ko).
Hats off to the lyricist as well. The lyrics make the music come alive.
Did they use all the songs in the movie? I can't wait for the dvd to come out!

[Remini]

The dvd IS already out Yes, as far as I remember, all songs were used