Is Hindi Movie the Death of Indian Rock?

[paperslut]

Love it or hate it Rock On!! is a film that cannot be ignored. Does the inclusion of rock music in Bollywood affect the genre? What's your view? Have your say right here!

[Tamanna]

Why would it affect the genre? If anything, it broadens the horizons of rock music. Now people would do more of Hindi Rock now.

[Paras Sharma]

Posers have always been around but the genre remains unaffected. So even if the Jonas Brothers sell truckloads of CDs claiming to be rock(pop), I don't think the genre itself will suffer. But yes the average listener for whom the definition of rock starts and ends with Guns AND Roses ka Sweet Child OF Mine, Rock on! is equivalent to Master of Puppets.

[Satish S]

Though the movie was one of the most cheesiest movies I ever saw, I think it rather promoted rock a bit. There were a lot of stupid things in the movie, but this now allows me to make people listen to some rock.
Its like, "Liked that? Abhi ye sun!"
Holier than thou! You are, holier than thou!

[Yatin]

Hindi movie music business is about a million times the size of the so called "Indian rock scene". (there is no Indian Rock music business). So if the Indian rock scene were to die because Hindi film would eat it up, I won't shed a tear.

The film industry can afford to experiment with Rock music, build it up or it may never touch it again. A movie like Rock-On is one among several experimental films that are being made with good or indifferent results. The point being made is that films have a much bigger canvas, and its viewers include you and me. It also gets the best talent. The money and the talent pool is big enough to sustain the business.

It can afford to experiment with rock.

What would happen if Rock-On were to succeed musically? Would it be good or bad for Indian Rock?
I liked the tunes of Rock-On, it sounds delightful. Overall it still sounds like Hindi film music. I may say it is like the "Indian-Chinese" cuisine.. So may be we are looking at the first version of this experimental sound. It seems to be doing well on Mumbai radio stations. Earlier one could hear it early mornings, but it is now playing through out the day.

Rock fans(experts?) abhor Hindi per se. Hindi songs come next. Sacrilege if Hindi invades rock. This is a small but unyielding bunch. The angst and rebellion that rock lyrics scream of are so delightfully & purely western. The sounds, settings, attitudes....what would one do without it!

Lifestyle and attitude is an important part of this music. Even if it is make believe. Rock stars are Gods. Booze, drugs, sex is the currency. Death (of drug O.D.) is a glorified option for some. Basically an extremity that is essentially western. One that you wore proudly on your sleeve, that made you more western than the other "Joe Indian".

To this Indian rock fan, it doesn't matter what the music is all about - as long as it howls and bangs, creaks and grunts, screams and explodes.... it is an outlet - as much as it is for the Nallasopara crowd that enjoys their ting ting bhajan kirtan in the 2nd class Mumbai locals.

But to many discerning listeners, an Indian letting off steam..pounding on the drumkit, wailing...abusing..(all in English and sometimes off-key) just did not rock .... just did not connect. That's my point.

Internationally rock has endured, as a pure music form. It has a way of saying every thing without uttering a word, and very often not meaning anything while shouting itself hoarse. Rock is demanding. You need soul to understand its rhythm. It can be beautiful. No wonder rock fans are believers, protectors of their faith.

Harder the rock, the more extreme the following, and more unyielding the fans.That brings us back to the argument...if the Hindi film version of Indian Rock were to succeed, would it spell the death of a religion.
After all Farhan Akhtar is not Axle Rose nor Parab Kohli a Keith Moon. Can the Hindi film stereotype ever be accepted as a pure rock icon. Probably not. Hindi films are too stereotyped....and too commercially driven.

Though Rock-On is a decent movie -The entire story is that of passion of youth, and of rock. If the movie and its music does well, a half a dozen clones will try to mimic the tunes, story lines, and most will get it wrong. The average Hindi movie is too mediocre.

On the other hand this movie may inspire Indian Rock to start using Hindi. And build a deeper connect with the larger audience. If the lyrics were strong and did connect, maybe then we'll have a real Indian Rock Scene. And this may get better talented musicians to do rock. And it will not be limited to just mainstream rock, they may explore forms of Indian instrumental.. fusion.

Sadly today's Indian Rock needs talented musicians, good lyrics and Indian themes. Like Rabbi the Punjabi rocker - well does he connect! Or Swaratma (their ode to Cauvery), or Avial the Malayalee rockers.

Personally for me mainstream international Rock was a definitive part of the growing up years. The appeal still lingers, but it doesn't consume. But some of us never grew up...and we don't want to.....but that’s ok. The music satisfies the soul even if the lyrics don’t matter any more.... Peace.

[CounterfeitGod]

Who tf is dis? Man u a suit in sm record company or wot? Its js givin a taste of a diff music to the aam junta who r nt aware of ur patrons Axl rose n keith moon. Its nothin abt Death n ODing or smthn,its nt abt any fckn soul. Leave soul 2 d brothers. Its abt wearing ur heart on ur sleeve, speakin up for urslf n ppl arnd u.its abt issues, its abt day to day life. its abt attitude dude. U can rock alone wid an acoustic guitar or with a table for drums, or in a 9 piece band or wotever,bt as long as it is nt fake n as long as u dnt feel wot is coming out of ur mouth or out of ur music instrument. The guitar association bcoz its the single most dirtiest instrument which can make u go crazy or euphoric n many other things,it cn convey a whole song to u n also wot the song is expressing even without singing words. N plus its pure n simple, no computer effects or beats or rhythms,anyone who wnts to rlly say smthn can do it anywhr. Dude ppl who rlly rock cn make their instruments cry,wail,laugh,sneer at u in the face,show aggression,resentment, love, pain, anything u name. So its abt the feel of the music,wot it maks u feel inside n also an attitude statement. For me it is not jus music,it is a way of life.

[Illusionist]

Chillax brother.... The discussion is not about how you or we fee about the music...
The discussion is about whether its any good for the local budding rebels!!!
Although, i completely agree with your personal sentiments...
:)

[Illusionist]

OK ok. being a bit prejudiced in he context of Indian Rock, yeah.. considering the different types of sound we have in this country, I suppose the 'Good' being more than the :Bad'..
God forbid if Himesh wants to break into it and spew nasals in the genre... I would have to kill him and then repent as to why even did I listened to it.
Rock was and is about liberation right?
Then, the evolution may be with respect to Indian context of life.. atleast the songs (if successful) will move politicians for the betterment of the society...
Jai ho Rock Mata ki!!!!

[Vaishnavi]

i think such movies have a way of affecting the indian mind. its called stereotyping.

[Yatin]

I believe in Japan, the Japanese language rockers get lot of airplay than many other types of music. A visit to Thailand, you may come across lots of Thai rock. There is Chinese rock for those who know Chinese.Indi Rock....need not be Hindi film. It can be for dicerning rock listeners. Are they listening ?

[DecoderDesi]

If the Hindi music industry could mould Western rock to cater to an Indian audience then why not, even aam junta should be able to enjoy the good things that rock provides like an electric guitar trip or consuming bass (unlike Jhankaar beats) or a different take on life via rock's varied messages and help take their mind off of the stupid Karan Johar and SRK songs that they get bombarded with day and night; it might even broaden their outlook on life. Of course it requires a little bit of refinement and willingness to change to really enjoy rock and whether they have it or not is debatable. My personal opinion is it is extremely hard, almost impossible to change peoples' tastes especially when there is no place for solitude in a fast paced Indian life. I suspect Hindi rock will go the Baba Sehgal way, an atom bomb at first and then a phuskey lavangi.

[Illusionist]

Rock will have much many takers than Baba Sehgal would had even imagined for his hindi rap music...
Death of Rock is never an option.. atleast for a type of music linked with liberation!!!

[DecoderDesi]

The keyword is Hindi. Death of *Hindi* rock is definitely an option.