ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR
Comes with the catalogue of values & humanity but pitches it indirectly with a dry effect
by Vishal Verma

A Yash Raj presentation, distribution & production.

Producer : Aditya Chopra
Executive Producer : Sanjay Shivalkar & Aashish Singh
Director : Shimit Amin
Writer : Jaideep Sahni
Target Audience : General
Genre : Drama

Starring

Ranbir Kapoor...... Harpreet Singh Bedi
Shazahn Padamsee
Gauhar Khan
Prem Chopra

 

Technical Analysis

Teaming up with Jaidep again after their successful glory called ‘Chak de’, director Shimit with his writer Jaideep has cooked up some reasonably engaging banter for the thinking auds. The problem is he pitches it without the commercial pinch or a giggle.

Anyhow, Ranbir is more than up to the challenge delivering winning turns as a value based Sardar youth. Fact with the truth. Jaideep’s writings does has some poignant observations of the way direct sales functioning in IT sector but not in depth. For ex. During the early 90’s I have seen people blocking there competitors delivery vehicles.

Ranbir plays a sardar for a change but more important is the protagonist is a man of principles – a sensitive & a smart youth who believes wisdom is more crucial then academic records. It does take Harpreet to come to grips with the nature system prevailing in his office & industry before falling prey to the ire of his corrupt Boss.
 
He then fights the system in his own way by winning people from his office & orders from his companies’ unsatisfied clients. The problem that weakens this salesman prospects at the B.O. is its dry approach in its proceedings that makes this 2 hr 20 miniutes affair a tedious, & boring for those who wanna have fun & are not ready for any such valuebazi.

Supporting roles have been adroitly filled, with the actors as the immediate boss & the owner delivering to the demand.  Gauhar Khan is charmingly decent in her performance. Production desigs are adequate. Editing is sharp. Music is a letdown.

More on values & less on entertainment ‘Rocket Singh’ still manages to collect 3 stars

One for the approach

One for the performance

One for delivering the message

But it loses on providing enough entertainment.

The Story

Harpreet Singh Bedi (Ranbir Kapoor) has just graduated and his marks are, well, let's say a little embarrassing. But marks never stopped him from dreaming of an exciting and adventurous career, and they never will.

He takes a deep, positive breath and dives into the world of sales, rumoured to be an ultra cool career. It's everything he dreamt of, with its smooth dressing, smoother talking men and women who can sell ice to an Eskimo, dreams to an insomniac and a lifetime mobile connection to a dying man. But soon, his idea of success begins clashing with the strange ways of these 'professionals' and 'bosses' he looked up to.

 

Promotion

Big question: why the promos of the this series drama gave the feel of a comedy?.
This will have it say on the films prospects.
The promoters could have easily highlighted the fact in the movie

 

Business Analysis

The gap between its target audience & the marketed audience is vast, even the fillings of morality, values etc will find fewer takers for this Rocket Singh.

 

Other Credits

Cassettes and CD's on YRF Music. Lyricist: Jaideep Sahni. Music Director: Salim Merchant & Sulaiman Merchant. Background Music: Salim Merchant & Sulaiman Merchant. Cinematography: Vikash Nowlakha Anshum. Editor: Arindam Ghatak. Screenplay: Jaideep Sahni. Dialogue: Jaideep Sahni. Costume: Niharika Khan. Publicity Designs: Fayyaz Badruddin. Certified with a ‘U” certificate. Running time: 2hrs 20 minutes. Reviewed at YRF Studios on December 11, 2009.

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