Producer: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar

Writer, director: Abhishek Kapoor

Stars: Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kolhi, Luke Kenny, Prachi Desai

Introducing: Farhan Akhtar: Aditya Shroff

Prachi Desai: Sakshi

Arjun Rampal: Joe Mascarenhas

Purab Kolhi: KD

Luke Kenny: Rob

Koel Purie: Devika

Shabana Goswami: Debbie

Nicholette Bird: Tanya

Plot: Four college friends split up their band on the threshhold of stardom only to reunite after 10 years.

Verdict: A rich tapestry of intricate human relationships.

Box Office Prospects: Youth appeal and word-of-mouth publicity will rock it for sure.

Creative Quotient:

Dil Chahata Hai makers take their guy story further, deeper and notches higher this time. Writer-director Abhishek Kapoor spins a simple story with a heart and then lends it multi-layered, prismatic hues. This is the story of four college chums - Aditya (Farhan), Joe (Arjun), KD (Purab) and Rob (Luke) - who's life and blood is their rock band - Magik. They win a talent contest and land a contract to cut an album of their own.

But souring relations between Joe, the lead guitarist and Aditya, the singer split up the band. Magik's big dream is smashed to smithereens. The four friends go their own way - Adi ends up as a prosperous but bored investment consultant, KD joins up father's jewellery business, Rob is a professional sound mixer but it is Joe who still retains his music and long tresses. He takes guitar classes while his college sweetheart Debbie (Shahana Goswami) runs the family fishery business.

A chance meeting between Adi's wife Sakshi (Prachi) and KD leads to a reunion of sorts. Music comes revisiting, will the foursome be able to rework Magik is what the plot is about. The writer must be lauded for his character detailing and mood building. Creatively it scores high, original and resonating with realism. Bring on more of this stuff please!

Technical Expertise:

Director Abhishek Kapoor springs a nice surprise with his deft handling of the subject as well as the actors. To his credit the successful launch of Farhan, Prachi and Luke as full-fledged actors. Farhan makes a smooth transition from behind the camera to the silver screen, he's effortless as the rock star first and then as the uptight investor. But it is a total re-launch of sorts for Arjun Rampal. His restrained angry man act is completely convincing.

He's the rock star, he's the hero of the film. Purab and Luke are also well into their characters. Prachi, Shahana and Nicholette Bird (playing Adi's ex-flame) aren't just hanging loose, they have crucial parts that change the course of the narrative. Casting director Nandini Shrikent does a perfect job.

Farhan's easy going yet meaningful dialogues work smart in the film and so do his dad Javed Akhtar's youthful, funky, rock music lyrics. Sadly in a film based on music, the music doesn't work! Music composer trio - Shankar Ehsaan Loy fail to deliver music that will catch up or stick on, their scores are monotonous and cacophonic.

Editor Deepa Bhatia keeps the narrative lucid and flowing through her sharp cuts. Also kudos to the hair designer Shefali Shetty for her tress-work and to dress designer Niharika Khan for her spunky rock Tees, distress jeans campus look and the formal trousers-striped shirt look in the latter half.

The only cliché is the airport climax, if only director Abhishek could explain how Joe could beat Mumbai traffic and reach in time for the rock concert venue for the grand finale! But it's a movie that will stay on and rock on.