The Roshans story:

The enthralling documentary series The Roshans vividly chronicles the illustrious history of one of India's most renowned film dynasties, the Roshans, whose influence on Indian cinema is indelible. This intimate exploration reveals narratives of perseverance, success, and heartache within the remarkable lives of the Roshan family. Beginning with Roshan Lal Nagrath, a composer of timeless classics, the series follows his sons, Rajesh and Rakesh, as they emerge from their father's legacy to carve out their own paths to success. It culminates with his grandson, Hrithik, who enchants audiences globally, showcasing the enduring legacy of this resilient family.

The Roshans review:

Documentaries present a unique challenge, as they cater to a specific audience interested in the events or individuals portrayed. The release of The Romantics on Netflix in 2023, a documentary focusing on Yash Chopra's legacy, garnered significant attention, particularly as it featured Aditya Chopra on camera for the first time in nearly thirty years within the film industry. The artists involved spoke passionately about the Yash Raj Films empire, demonstrating their enthusiasm for the documentary.

A notable documentary that gained attention was last year's release, Angry Young Men, which focused on the iconic screenwriting duo of Salim-Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar). This documentary allowed us to re-evaluate the crucial role of screenwriters, a profession often neglected in contemporary discussions. It included insights from family members and prominent figures in the film industry, particularly Amitabh Bachchan, who attributes much of his success to their contributions.

Recently, Netflix has launched a new documentary series titled The Roshans. What insights can we glean about this distinguished family? They have been a significant presence in the industry for three generations, with the younger generation transforming the film landscape 25 years ago. Is there a curiosity about the family history of Hrithik Roshan? Let us explore...

The Roshans documentary begins with Hrithik uncovering a cassette that contains a voice recording of his grandfather, Roshan Lal Nagrath, whom he never had the chance to meet. The actor recounts a fascinating tale about how his grandfather's first name evolved into a surname for his father, uncle, and himself, thereby paying tribute to the legacy of Roshan Lal Nagrath.

Each of the four episodes is dedicated to one of the four accomplished members of the Roshan family: Roshan Lal Nagrath, Rajesh Roshan, Rakesh Roshan, and ultimately, Hrithik Roshan.

Shah Rukh Khan's involvement with fellow artists at one time enabled them to leverage his immense popularity to their advantage. Notably, SRK has been afforded more screen time than Hrithik Roshan himself, suggesting that if this was a strategic choice, the rationale becomes clear.

The documentary on the Roshan family begins by exploring the lesser-known figure of the senior Roshan, highlighting his role as a trailblazer in Bollywood music. Insights from his children and renowned artists like Asha Bhosle, who reminisced about her playback singing for him, enrich our understanding. While many millennials may only be familiar with composers such as SD Burman, RD Burman, and Laxmikant-Pyarelal, discovering Nagrath's enduringly popular compositions offers a fascinating introduction. This sets the stage for a fresh examination of the Roshan family's contributions to the film industry since 1949.

The narrative then transitions to Rajesh Roshan, who has inherited his musical prowess from his father. It is surprising that many may not recognize Rajesh Roshan as the composer behind numerous beloved Hindi film songs unless they actively seek out this information. The episode highlights Rajesh's choice to avoid marketing and promoting his work, even in instances where the films he scored did not achieve commercial success.

Throughout these episodes, the dramatization of events often disrupts the narrative flow to such an extent that a simple verbal recounting would have sufficed. Nevertheless, the creators have made an effort to portray events as they may have unfolded in reality, albeit with an unnecessary melodramatic flair reminiscent of a soap opera.

As we progress into the third episode, we gain a deeper understanding of the gradual evolution of the Roshan family and the ongoing struggle for sustainability. The segment focusing on Rakesh Roshan reveals the journey of a once-failed actor who successfully transitioned into a prominent filmmaker.

The narrative is undeniably inspirational, particularly given that he consistently encountered failure despite his earnest efforts. Nevertheless, the apparent lack of enthusiasm among the other artists, even after numerous collaborations, rendered the anecdotes somewhat superficial.

Another notable concern I had with the documentary was its portrayal of their absent personal lives, which appeared to exist merely for their own sake. It is indeed essential for our work to convey its own message. However, the female members of the family seemed only capable of expressing admiration, contributing little beyond that.

As we progress to the episode centered on Rakesh Roshan, there emerges a palpable desire to connect it with Hrithik Roshan's rise to prominence. This inclination towards borderline narcissism is evident—not necessarily in a negative sense. However, the pervasive "I, me, and myself" mentality, lacking substantial attribution, extends to the other artists as well.

Hrithik Roshan's film debut was, without question, exceptional. I maintain this conviction, and it remains unchanged even after 25 years. However, Hrithik has faced an unparalleled degree of failure. He seldom discusses these experiences, opting instead to focus on the incident that transpired during the filming of Krrish (2006). This account comes across as a brief recounting with limited emotional resonance, giving the impression of being somewhat preachy.

The documentary on the Roshans serves as a reminder of their distinctiveness, which has played a significant role in their success as a film family. However, it ultimately falls short in this regard, resulting in a narrative that feels overly contrived across its four episodes.

The Roshans verdict:

The Roshans present a blend of triumph and adversity, yet occasionally falter. While it successfully highlights Roshan Lal Nagrath’s musical brilliance and Hrithik's rapid ascent, the narrative frequently drifts into self-congratulatory territory.

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