Imtiaz Ali’s tragic masterpiece Rockstar, unfolding the story of a boy hailing from Pitampura with Jim Morison’s posters on his wall to the exponential rise as a world-famous musician- precisely a “rockstar”. It begs the question what makes this movie a cult classic which enticed the audience to the theatre, 12 years after its initial release. Is it the entrancing soundtrack by the musical genius of A.R Rahman coupled with the lyricism of Irshad Kamil which has woven the art of storytelling in the very fabric of the soundtrack? Whether it is the skillful direction of Imtiaz Ali who is credited with delivering cinematic masterpieces such as Jab we Met and Highway? Is it the larger-than-life character seamlessly portrayed by Ranbir Kapoor?

The answer lies within the quote meditating on the nature of morality which opens and closes the film by Rumi, “Away, beyond all ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” Beyond the story arc of an ordinary boy falling in love with the beautiful Heer from St. Stephens to elicit the pain of heartbreak and his eventual disdain for fame as the audience witnesses his gradual descent into madness. At the core of the plot remains the theme of freedom of expression and the longing to be loved which echoes the innate needs of humanity.

We are introduced to Janardhan Jakhar, the protagonist as he is beaten up by the police for entertaining the people at the bus stand. His friends mock his desires of becoming a musician and use him for his money. His family persuades him to join the family business and ridicules his passion for music. The movie highlights how he is made to feel like an undesired outcast by shaming his sense of style and accent which reflect his inferior social-economic status.

Heer in Rockstar

On the other hand, Heer who is depicted as the centre of the male gaze, who is epitomised as the symbol of grace and dignity, is eventually revealed to the audience as a character which enjoys cheap and vulgar pubs and undignified theatres. She struggles to express her individuality and is forced to conform to social notions of class by her family.

It is the relationship between the misfit and the secret rebel through which both the characters can authentically express themselves. As it is towards the end where Jordan-the Rockstar pleads to renounce his fame and fortune for the love of Heer. The false façade of success is rendered futile against the backdrop of true love.