Indian Rock Chronicle ‘Rockumentary’ Slated for Theatrical Release in March
The 2018 documentary by Abhimanyu Kukreja covers how western music entered India and led to the creation of rock artists
New Delhi rock band The Local Train in a still from 'Rockumentary: Evolution of Indian Rock.'
After several accolades and premieres at film festivals and awards circuits around the globe, Rockumentary: Evolution of Indian Rock by filmmaker Abhimanyu Kukreja is about to hit theaters starting March 5th at PVR cinemas.
The story covers the trajectory of rock in India, from the band culture that sprung up as early as the 1930s to the rise of artists like Lou Majaw, Indus Creed, Indian Ocean, The Local Train and more. Kukreja says he was always working at ways to make the documentary reach as many regions as possible around the world. “The main aim is to take the film to as many platforms as possible, whether it is theater or OTT platforms, so that the masses get to know about this wonderful piece of music history from India. Theaters is a start for it.”
Tying up with Luminosity Pictures as a distribution partner in Mumbai, Rockumentary will be screened in about 20 cities and over 50 screens across India this March. Rahul Merchant, C.E.O. of Luminosity said in his statement, “There was some convincing to do but the rest was conviction that PVR had in our film given their vast experience of screening alternative content and music based documentaries.”
While Kukreja has been independently taking the 90-minute documentary to as many places as possible over the last two years (including a premiere in New Delhi in August 2019), he says he’s not changing too much around for the theatrical release. “Not a single change in the narration/voice over of the film. The edit for theatrical release has focused primarily on small visual changes to comply with the Indian Censor requirements. None of the rich substance in the film has been changed.”
While rock music in India has continued to evolve and adapt with the times (and some of the artists featured in Rockumentary are not exactly active in 2021), Kukreja mentions that he’s “caught the perspectives of around 30 of India’s musicians” and acknowledges that there’s always more work to be done for the “multi-faceted gem” that is Indian rock. He adds about possible sequels, “There are so many adventures that we would love to uncover in the future which would deepen and broaden that layered history. In fact, not just India, but even the entire South Asian region is something that I would like to cover as the stories are multiple and have not been explored yet.”
Watch the trailer for Rockumentary: Evolution of Indian Rock’ below.
