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Much-deserved tribute

Think music composers of yesteryear and chances are that the name Roshan wouldn’t figure on the top of your mind. For the present generation and even a generation before that, the surname Roshan is but obviously a byword for superstar...
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‘The Roshans’ delves into the lives of the super-talented men of the Roshan family.
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film: Netflix The Roshans

Director: Shashi Ranjan

Cast: Rakesh Roshan, Rajesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan and Pinkie Roshan

Think music composers of yesteryear and chances are that the name Roshan wouldn’t figure on the top of your mind. For the present generation and even a generation before that, the surname Roshan is but obviously a byword for superstar Hrithik Roshan and, at best, his father-filmmaker Rakesh Roshan. But, as the Netflix documentary ‘The Roshans’ delves into the lives of four men of the Roshan family, all of them of exceptional talent, you learn more than a thing or two about who the original Roshan was.

The first episode dedicated to the family patriarch, the late Roshan Lal Nagrath, is a revelation. Not because it unfurls any hidden family secrets, but reminds you how those lilting melodies — ‘Mann re tu kahe na dheer dhare’, ‘Rahein na rahein hum, mehka karenge’, ‘Yeh ishq ishq hai’, ‘Zindagi bhar nahi bhoolegi woh barsaat ki raat’ — you have often hummed came from his musical prowess. There are so many OMG moments. ‘Nigahein milane ko jee chahta hai’, ‘Dil jo na keh saka’… — he composed these, too! The list is endless. As we get over the overwhelming feeling of admiration, also stemming out of our ignorance of not knowing enough about his music, the very first episode turns out to be extremely satisfying.

Roshan’s musical genius was bound to flow in the blood of his progeny. And his younger son Rajesh Roshan, who now mainly composes for his brother Rakesh Roshan’s films, too, achieved many milestones. Again, there is a quick check on his memorable compositions like ‘Thoda hai’ and ‘Julie, I love you’. A few not-so-flattering personal details on his excessive drinking et al surface.

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The third and fourth episodes are mostly devoted to the superhit father-son jodi of Rakesh and Hrithik.

Like the sonorous notes the seniormost Roshan wove for us, the documentary does not strike a jarring note. Despite some heartfelt revelations, the feel is celebratory, captured well by director of photography Arvind K. Expectedly, Hrithik’s divorce is out of limits. Though we do get to see his beautiful sons, with the devoted father in him saying, “I don’t want to burden them with legacy, I want them to lead fulfilling lives, actually, fulfilling days.”

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The problem with such documentaries is that while you do get to know many facts not out in the public domain, the tone remains idolatry. Indeed, who can dispute Hrithik’s exceptionally good looks, Greek god-like, as Zoya Akhtar says. Or his talent, but a critical appraisal wouldn’t have hurt. The only note of disapproval, again pretty mild, comes from Anupam Kher in context of Rakesh: “He didn’t challenge himself as an actor.”

The candid observations, if any, are made by none else than King Khan, and those too are not with regard to the Roshans, but himself. How Shah Rukh did not believe in the script of the now iconic ‘Karan Arjun’, walking out of the film to finally do it, are interesting facts. So is the confession about how he and Salman Khan troubled Rakesh all through its making.

Much is told about Rakesh’s ability to take risks. After all, he gave us the first alien film of India (‘Koi... Mil Gaya’) and the first Indian superhero movie (‘Krrish’). But, only if director-interviewer Shashi Ranjan had managed to sneak in some adverse remarks about films like ‘Koyla’. Yet, never mind the absence of criticism, creative assessment of their work by stalwarts like Javed Akhtar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali shines a much-deserved light on their creative pursuits.

The Roshans, reticent since generations, must be allowed their moments of glory. Four trump cards in a family and it’s quite alright if their home production blows a trumpet. Do watch it!

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