Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Rakesh Roshan, Rajesh Roshan
Director: Shashi Ranjan
How does one go about trying to subvert the narrative around nepotism within the Indian film industry? This biographical mini-series on Netflix seems to have been born out of just that motivation.
Over four crisp episodes, each with a sing-song title associated with the musical connections of this famous Indian film dynasty, Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan takes a tour down memory lane to the world of transistor radios and cassette players to relive the melodies of the grandfather he never met – Roshan Lal Nagrath. As one after the other classic Bollywood tune unfolds on screen, lovers of old Hindi film songs may be surprised just how many well-loved songs are associated with this music director who crafted much of the soundtrack of the 1960s.
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The first episode is packed with anecdotes on his humble beginnings and heart-warming tributes from some rare contemporary voices along with those from future generations. With the antecedents of the family’s surname established, the series moves on to his talented musician son Rakesh Roshan and his relatively easier rise to fame. But there is a clear sense that this artist behind some of Bollywood’s most recognisable tunes never really got his fair share of fame and appreciation until his struggling actor brother, Rakesh, stepped into the arena of filmmaking.
The third of the four-episode series is then devoted to Rakesh Roshan’s many hits and a few misses at the box-office as the two brothers went on to collaborate on some of Hindi cinema’s big blockbusters. The final episode traces the rise to fame of Hrithik Roshan, who burst on to our screens with the box-office hit ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’ in 2000, capturing hearts with his sensational dance moves under the firm direction of his father in more ways than one.
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This documentary will appeal to die-hard lovers of Hindi cinema but anyone expecting a genuine behind-the-scenes peek into the lives of this rich and famous Bollywood dynasty will come away disappointed. Besides some health struggles, the series skims over the harsh realities and whizzes past anything even mildly contentious. The infamous underworld shooting of Rakesh Roshan and personal hurdles around Hrithik’s broken marriage are either fast-forwarded through or not touched upon at all.
The result is a biopic that will leave the audience with very little insight than before they pressed play. As a result, ‘The Roshans’ ends up being a superficial vanity project with some iconic melodies for company.
