Imtiaz Ali Explains REAL Meaning Of Ranbir Kapoor's ICONIC Burning Guitar Scene In Rockstar Climax

Ranbir

Kapoor’s Rockstar has to be the turning point of his career. He won his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in the Imtiaz Ali-directed film. Rockstar has many iconic moments. Especially, the climax scene where Ranbir’s character Jordan sits in the bathtub and stares at the burning guitar is one of the most loved and complex scenes in Hindi cinema. Recently, in a podcast interview, director Imtiaz Ali explained the real meaning of the burning guitar scene in Rockstar's climax. For the unversed, Imtiaz’s next, Main Vaapas Aaunga, is all set to release in theatres on June 12, 2026.

Imtiaz Ali explains Rockstar’s guitar burning scene

Imtiaz Ali had a conversation with Raj Shamani on his podcast, where he was asked about the real meaning of the burning guitar scene in Rockstar’s climax. The director beautifully explained how Jordan (Ranbir’s character) wants to feel the pain after losing his love due to his mistake. He is totally numb and wants to punish himself. The Rockstar director stated that Jordan had reached the place where he is totally numb. He further revealed that Jordan is like a drug addict who needed higher doses to hurt himself.

According to Imtiaz Ali, a guitar is a holy symbol for Jordan. He burns it because he wants to feel something. The Main Vaapas Aaunga director mentioned, “He has brought himself to such an unfeeling, hard space. He is lying into the pool of water because he wants to wake himself up also. He stares at the burning guitar because he wants to feel that burn. He wants to punish himself but he is unable to do it since he is not feeling anything.” When asked about the usage of water and fire in the scene, Imtiaz revealed that he wanted to show the feel when the opposites come together. It looks like Imtiaz had thought about presenting the disturbing moments of Jordan’s life in a certain style so that the viewers can feel his pain through his emotions.

About Main Vaapas Aaunga

Coming back to Main Vaapas Aaunga, the Imtiaz Ali-directed film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari, Vedang Raina and Naseeruddin Shah in the lead roles. Main Vaapas Aaunga will clash with Kangana Ranaut’s Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata at the box office. The makers of the Kangana film unveiled the trailer of the film earlier today at a grand launch event in Mumbai.