Netflix’s The Roshans celebrates power of dreams and strength of family 

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The illustrious legacy of one of India’s most iconic film families comes to life in the docu-series, The Roshans, a portrayal of a family that has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Directed by Shashi Ranjan and co-produced by him with Rakesh Roshan, the series is set to premiere on January 17. This intimate journey through the remarkable lives of the Roshan family reveals tales of triumph, tragedy and unyielding spirit.

From Roshan Lal Nagrath, who created timeless classics to his sons (Rakesh and Rajesh Roshan), who emerged from the shadows of their father’s legacy to carve out their niche, and his grandson (Hrithik Roshan) who continues to capture hearts across the globe, this story celebrates a legacy marked by resilience.

Recounting stories of the Roshans’ lives through anecdotes are some of Hindi cinema’s biggest names: Sanjay Leela Bhansali recalls the timeless melodies that became the soul of Indian cinema, while Shah Rukh Khan shares how Rakesh Roshan’s visionary storytelling inspired him during the making of Karan Arjun, among other personal tributes.

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The Roshans also delves into the story of Hrithik Roshan, whose meteoric rise from a hesitant dreamer to becoming an overnight superstar will inspire viewers. From conquering his fears in Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai to redefining Indian cinema with Koi…Mil Gaya, Dhoom: 2, Krrish, Super 30, War and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Hrithik’s journey embodies the perseverance and passion that define the Roshan family.

The Roshans is thus a celebration of how the family — through the highs of each musical note and box-office hit and the lows of tough times — stayed together, continuing to light up the screen and our hearts.

Says Rakesh Roshan, “We were at a farmhouse when Shashi Ranjan proposed this idea. It has been quite an emotional journey for us, exploring parts of ourselves that we weren’t even aware of before. This has been the most challenging project of my life. I realized that making documentaries is far more complex than creating a fictional story.”

Music composer Rajesh Roshan adds, “I have always been a big fan of legends like S.D. Burman-ji, Shankar-Jaikishan-ji, and Madan Mohan-ji. Around that time, Laxmikant-Pyarelal-ji had also entered the scene with remarkable hits like Milan and Dosti. They brought fresh elements like bongo, congo, and other unique instruments into their music, while Shankar-Jaikishan-ji stood out with their use of western orchestras. I used to wonder where my father’s songs would fit in this evolving landscape. Once, I even asked him, “Papa, aapke gaane kahan chalenge? Aap bongo ya congo ka istemaal nahin karte aur unnmein commercial angle bhi nahin hai (Papa, how will your music do well when there is no commercial angle and you don’t even use the bongo or congo?).

From then on, every time he composed a song, he would call out, “Raju, idhar aao, suno! (Raju, come here, listen to this!)” He wanted me to listen to it. I would often tell him, “Gaana accha hai, lekin thoda western touch dijiye. (It’s a good song, but make it more western.)” And, somehow, he would try to incorporate a western touch here and there in his music. Interestingly, those are the songs that have endured the test of time.

But now, when we look back, how do we truly measure the scale of music? How do we decide what was great and what wasn’t? At that time, Shankar-Jaikishan-ji’s compositions sounded extraordinary—they really stood out. Their work had a unique charm that resonated deeply with everyone.”

Hrithik Roshan shared, “I never met my grandfather, but I often wonder—if I had the chance, what would we talk about? After watching the documentary, I’d want to ask him about his childhood and struggles, and I imagine he’d ask me, ‘Are you happy?’ I’d also thank him because I now realize my drive, especially during my first film, came from him. It was in my cells, passed down through generations, a gift of genetic evolution.”

He goes on, “When my father wanted to make this documentary, I was hesitant at first—I don’t like attention. But I realized it’s not about me; it’s about my family’s history—my grandfather, my parents, my uncle. Their stories gave me the drive to be unstoppable. When I was 12 years old, Rajesh-chacha used to call me and asked me choose tunes, and when I saw my choice on screen, it felt great. If this documentary inspires even one person, it will truly honor their legacy.”

Director Shashi Ranjan states, “The Roshans is not just a story but an emotion. While chatting at Rakesh-ji’s farmhouse, we discussed how we should do something about Roshan-saab, who is truly an unsung hero. I grew up listening to his songs and have always been a fan. That’s when we ideated and came up with the concept of a documentary. When I started working on it, Guddu-ji (Rakesh Roshan) realized how serious I was. What began as a project about Roshan-saab eventually grew into a documentary exploring the entire Roshan family arc—something we feel truly fortunate to have achieved.”

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