Cherished actor. Sharp producer. Super gifted director. Rakesh Roshan’s incredible journey has been a gushing river of lows and highs, troughs and peaks… and he has manoeuvered this torrent with determination, discipline and resilience. Plus a hefty serving of chutzpah! Cheers to this man who embodies strength, and whose bounceback ability tops the charts!
By Andrea CostaBir
From an actor who was well-loved but didn’t quite get his due, to transforming into one of Bollywood’s most successful filmmakers, your journey has been incredibly unique and inspiring. How would you encapsulate it?
I was always sincere about my work and very hardworking. But as an actor, I wasn’t reaching the level I aspired to, and my films didn’t perform well enough to push me forward. Some of my films like ‘Khel Khel Mein’, ‘Dhanwan’, ‘Aankhon Aankhon Mein’, and ‘Paraya Dhan’ did well, but they didn’t open doors to better roles. I was frustrated that I wasn’t achieving what I wanted.
However, I always had a dream of owning my own production house, much like RK Studios. Even while acting, I would stay back on set, observing directors and their approach. I often felt I could execute certain scenes differently or perhaps better, but as an actor, I never voiced my opinions. That instinct gradually grew, and I realised I wanted my own studio and banner.
Slowly, I drifted towards filmmaking. In a way, Rakesh Roshan the actor made Rakesh Roshan the producer, and then the producer made Rakesh Roshan the director. It wasn’t an overnight transition — I took my time, refusing small acting roles and focusing on understanding production. I wanted to learn every aspect of filmmaking — casting, story development, screenplay, music, marketing, and distribution.
After gaining experience as a producer over four films, I decided to direct. But I made a firm decision — I would not cast myself. That allowed me to explore a broader spectrum of storytelling. I challenged myself with diverse subjects — after making ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’, which was accepted by audiences and critics alike, many filmmakers would have followed up with something similar. Instead, I made ‘Kishan Kanhaiya’, followed by ‘King Uncle’, ‘Karan Arjun’, ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’, and ‘Koi… Mil Gaya’. I always sought to push creative boundaries rather than chase commercial trends.
I never made a film simply because it was ‘commercially viable’. I was drawn to unconventional stories — concepts that made people wonder, “Is this possible?” Whether it was reincarnation in ‘Karan Arjun’ or the unique love story in ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’, my goal was always to surprise audiences while ensuring the films had strong entertainment value. God was kind — He gave me the right thoughts at the right moments. I would say it was 20% my hard work and 80% luck, but that 20% hard work was more than 100% dedication.
I was about to say that! Years ago, I interviewed your wife, Pinkie, and she spoke about your work ethic. She told me, “You can’t imagine how hard he works — he’s involved in every department, from music to editing, even on his birthday!”
For me, nothing is ever “good enough” to ignore. Whether it’s music, editing, or sound recording — I immerse myself in every process. There’s a saying: ‘When talent doesn’t work hard, make hard work your talent’. That’s exactly what I did — I just kept working, staying disciplined and punctual. That discipline has shaped my career.
Even on New Year’s Day and my birthday, I work. I’m not an outgoing person who enjoys attending industry parties. My friends are mostly outside the industry, and that keeps me grounded. People say we learn from failures and successes. I disagree. Failures are painful, and when a film doesn’t do well, I have sleepless nights. Success, on the other hand, doesn’t “teach” anything — it only builds confidence. The only constant is hard work.
It’s been 25 years, and the magic of ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’ continues to unfold. With ‘The Roshans’ on Netflix revisiting that phase, what are your most cherished memories from the film?
I wanted to make a romantic film and launch newcomers. Hrithik was 24-25 at the time, which was the age I had planned for his debut — not earlier. At 24-25, one is more refined in terms of personality and presence. I didn’t want Hrithik to be labelled a “chocolate hero” like I was.
Since I was making a love story, I wanted breathtaking locations that hadn’t been seen before in Indian films. We shot in New Zealand and Krabi, Thailand. Krabi had beautiful rock formations in the ocean, while New Zealand provided stunning landscapes for Raj’s introduction.
The ‘Krrish’ series revolutionised Indian superhero cinema. What were the biggest challenges in bringing this universe to life? Also, when is ‘Krrish 4’ set for release?
The idea of ‘Krrish’ came organically from ‘Koi… Mil Gaya’. Since Jaadu gave Rohit powers and then left, I realised I could continue the story — Rohit’s son could inherit those abilities and become a superhero. We introduced Krishna in the mountains — running, crossing rivers, climbing trees — before transforming him into Krrish. The gradual build-up helped audiences accept him.
For action, I found Tony Ching from China. Hrithik trained with him for three months. We also brought in technicians from Los Angeles for VFX. A film like ‘Krrish’ requires conviction. Emotions are key. Look at ‘Avatar’ — James Cameron took us to a whole new world, but it was the emotions that resonated. Similarly, in ‘Krrish’, I ensured emotions remained central.
Are you working with international teams for ‘Krrish 4’, and when do you start shooting?
Yes, absolutely. Their expertise makes the process smoother; and we will begin shooting next year.
Your collaborations with Hrithik have created some of Bollywood’s most unforgettable films. How has your working relationship evolved?
Hrithik joined me as an assistant director and worked on three films over five years. By the time I launched him, I knew his strengths and weaknesses. Giving him a double role in his debut was a big risk, but I was confident he would pull it off. Working with him is very comfortable. He’s punctual, dedicated, and deeply involved. He knows exactly what I want because he sits on the story with me. And I know exactly what he is going to do. So it’s a big and very, very good rapport between us. Our rapport makes the process seamless.
Rakesh Roshan films are known for their timeless music, thanks to your collaboration with your brother Rajesh Roshan. How important is music in shaping a film?
Music is one of the most important aspects of a film, second only to the script. My brother Rajesh and I share a deep understanding. We were brought up together, and we lived together. We are very, very close. He doesn’t compose thinking, “I’m making music for my brother.” He just focuses on creating the best tune. Since I finalise locations beforehand, I describe exactly how the song will look. If I say there’s going to be a waterfall, there will be a waterfall. So you know, even his imagination becomes wider. That helps him visualise and compose the songs accordingly.
With platforms like Netflix redefining storytelling, do you see yourself venturing into OTT projects?
I haven’t ventured into OTT yet, but you never know. It’s a great platform for storytelling without padding up with commercial items and all that. But my visions are very big. So, let me see if I come to that stage where I can compromise on my visuals and make a small film for the OTT platform.
You have decades of experience in the industry, what advice would you give aspiring directors?
Today’s filmmakers are making good films, but not “wider” films. They focus on realism, but cinema should transport audiences to another world. Films should entertain — they should make you laugh, cry, and immerse you in visuals and music. It should take you out of your daily humdrum of life.
Your children Sunaina and Hrithik have overcome life’s challenges with immense strength. Do you think they inherited this resilience from you? … Because you too are highly resilient – having faced many professional challenges and personal health issues too. What do you hope for, for Sunaina and Hrithik, today?
I never deliberately passed on resilience to them, but they must have learnt from watching me. They have seen my struggles – as an actor, when I got shot, when I got cancer. I took all these things very lightly. I am shot, it’s okay. I got cancer, I will remove it. Don’t worry. I work out every day; if I have some pain, it’s not that I will not work out the next day. I will work out. I have to remove the pain. And removing the pain is only possible if I work out. This is always my attitude in life. My focus is always on work. I believe in confronting challenges head-on.
I wish for Sunaina and Hrithik to continue on their paths. The key is honesty with oneself. There are no shortcuts. For instance, Sunaina used to cheat on her diet earlier, but for the past two years, she has been disciplined. Now she sees the difference, and I am very proud of her. That is real transformation.
You share a close bond with your grandchildren — Suranika, Hrehaan, and Hridhaan. What role do you play in their lives? Do you see any creative sparks in them that remind you of yourself or Hrithik?
My granddaughter, Suranika, is incredibly gifted in baking. Her cookies, bread and cakes are outstanding. She studied abroad and honed her skills, and I’m extremely proud of her. As for my grandsons, both are musically inclined. My elder grandson, Hrehaan, is in Boston studying music on a scholarship. He writes, sings and composes his own songs. The younger one, Hridhaan, is also very talented and can play multiple instruments. I hope the legacy continues, and it certainly looks like it will. I share a very warm and friendly bond with all of them.
You and your wonderful wife, Pinkie, have stood by each other for over five decades. What’s your secret sauce for a long and happy marriage?
In five decades, we did have normal arguments on and off, but then you only fight with someone you love.
We share a very strong bond and no matter what, we never give up on each other. Over time, we have learnt to adjust and make each other happy.
Communication strengthens a relationship. If something bothers you, express it. If I unknowingly hurt her feelings, she tells me, and I realise my mistake. The same goes for her. Love and respect for one another has kept us together for 55 years by God’s grace.
Your workout posts are hugely inspiring — though you haven’t posted any for a while! What drives you to maintain such discipline?
I don’t post every day because I don’t want people to get bored of me! I post once in a while just to let them know I’m still at it. My goal is to inspire people.
Even after your surgery, you got back to exercising. What keeps you going?
It’s not just about discipline; it’s about staying active to prevent health issues. I fear the day I’ll need help just to stand up, so I’m doing everything I can to delay that. Old age is inevitable, but if I can push it back by some years through exercise, why not?
What’s your advice to people about staying fit?
Age is just a number. You have to prioritise your health. Discipline is essential — if you need to catch a bus, you have to go to the bus stop; the bus won’t come to pick you up. Similarly, you have to take responsibility for your well-being.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I realised that money is meaningless without health. At one point, I couldn’t even swallow food. That experience changed my perspective. Money is important, but only to a certain extent — to live comfortably and save a decent amount for a rainy day. Beyond that, what’s the point if you don’t have good health? To truly enjoy life, you have to stay fit.
To sum up, how would you define this attitude of yours – to be strong, to be resilient, to move on?
Maybe it’s the struggle that I saw in the beginning. See, many people have come from villages and small towns to become actors, and they made themselves. But I was from the industry as my father was a great musician.
When he passed away, I was only 17 years old. So, the whole responsibility of our household was on me. He didn’t leave any factory or business that I could continue to run. Life became zero suddenly.
What will happen? How will I survive? What will I do? We had two cars – an Impala and another one. In a week’s time, I told my mom to lock the cars in the garage. I told her I will not use them; I will go by bus. I wanted to make myself. …Thereafter, my every step was to make myself. And till date, whatever I do, I put my whole heart and soul in it.
