The Roshans' Review: Rakesh, Rajesh And Hrithik Roshan’s Series Is A Spotlight That Misses The Shadows

Title: The Roshans

Director: Shashi Ranjan

Cast: Rakesh Roshan, Rajesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan

Where: Netflix

Rating: 3 Stars

This four-episode documentary ambitiously attempts to narrate the storied journey of one of Bollywood’s most illustrious families, but in doing so, it teeters between a heartfelt homage and an overly polished portrait that occasionally feels like a PR exercise. With a title for each episode borrowed from iconic Hindi songs, the series charts the transformation of a Punjabi family named Nagrath from Gujranwala into the cinematic dynasty now synonymous with the Roshan surname. While its intentions are noble, the execution leaves much to be desired.

The first episode, Rahen Na Rahen Hum, delves into the life of Roshan Lal Nagrath, the patriarch who transitioned from obscurity to acclaim as a music director in the Hindi film industry. Anecdotes about his artistry and life, accompanied by a rich tapestry of evergreen melodies, set a promising tone. It’s a touching start, offering glimpses of his personality and family dynamics. However, the narrative quickly adopts an uncritical lens, veering dangerously close to deification.

In Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai, the spotlight shifts to Rajesh Roshan, whose journey as a music director is outlined with dutiful reverence. The episode emphasizes his mother, Ira Roshan’s pivotal role in shaping his career and introduces his wife, Kanchan, but it lacks emotional depth.

Nikle Thay Kahan Jaane ke Liye delves into the unvarnished reality of Rakesh Roshan’s early aspirations as an actor, chronicling how his career was marked by repeated failures in the path he chose. This episode immerses itself in showcasing his struggles, attempting to hook the audience into sympathizing with him rather than glazing over his setbacks. The episode leans into his vulnerabilities, offering a stark contrast to the grandeur associated with his later successes as a director-producer. There is a moment of rawness captured on screen that seems forced.

The final episode, Koi Mil Gaya, is arguably the series' emotional nucleus, focusing on Hrithik Roshan. His candid reflections on his father’s struggles and his own journey as an actor and father add a human touch. His description of his family as “three soldiers aiming for the bull’s eye” encapsulates the Roshan ethos of ambition and resilience. Still, even Hrithik’s moments of introspection feel framed within an agenda to inspire awe rather than provide genuine insight.

Despite its elegant production values and evocative soundtrack, the series avoids controversy, offering a sanitized portrayal of the Roshans. Nearly 40 talking heads—family and Bollywood stalwarts—shower rehearsed platitudes, sacrificing authenticity for curated soundbites. By sidestepping professional rivalries, scandals, and familial discord, it presents the family as flawless paragons of virtue. This glaring omission of complexity leaves the narrative incomplete, reducing the Roshan legacy to a glossy, one-dimensional homage that lacks the depth to engage its audience fully.

Overall, the series offers a feast for fans of Bollywood nostalgia but remains a missed opportunity for nuanced storytelling. By refusing to embrace the full spectrum of the Roshan legacy—flaws and all—it reduces its subjects to statues on a pedestal, glossy yet lifeless. One wishes for a little less reverence and a lot more rawness.