An inspired Rockstar this?

Oct 25, 2011 - Joginder Tuteja

Blame it on a few black sheep, but every time there is a big budget Bollywood release coming up, there are those who notice similarities with major Hollywood productions. Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar is the latest one. Those who’ve seen the film’s

promos feel there are way too many parallels to be drawn with the Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line and that Rockstar could be the latest Bollywood venture to be “inspired” by the West.
Says a film historian, “Just like Rockstar, Walk The Line also featured a popstar who turns big out of nowhere. He too gets involved in drugs and women before the love of his life saves him from complete downfall.”
While the similarities do seem one too many for comfort, Ranbir Kapoor comes to its defence. “I have seen Walk The Line and it was a biographical film about an American music artist. The character in Rockstar, though, is hardcore desi, and very rooted,” Ranbir says. “Look at any of Imtiaz Ali’s previous films. They are all original subjects talking about typically Indian topics.”

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