Pooja samant
Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan shares , “We were at a farmhouse when Shashi 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 shares, “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 istemal nahi karte aur unmein commercial angle bhi nahi hai.
(Where will your songs work, Papa? You don’t play bongo or congo. Your songs don’t have that commercial angle.)” He added, “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.”
Actor Hrithik Roshan shares , “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. 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 shares , “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 Roshan Saab’s 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.” He further adds, “There are 40 plus industry stalwarts like Javed Sahab, Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali in the documentary. It’s a treat for all.”
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