Long before
Hrithik Roshan became one of India’s most celebrated actors, the Roshan legacy began with a young musician who arrived in Bombay with no money, no home and no certainty about the future. Roshan Lal Nagrath, Hrithik’s grandfather, crossed the border from Gujranwala, now in Pakistan, carrying nothing but determination, classical training and a dream of entering the world of cinema. His journey from struggle to success laid the foundation for a three-generation artistic dynasty.
Roshan Lal Nagrath: The man who built a legacy from hardship
Born on July 14, 1917, Roshan showed a deep love for music at a young age. After schooling, he joined Marris College of Music in Lucknow, now known as the Bhatkhande Music Institute. He was trained by Pandit S. N. Ratanjankar, a renowned classical musician and scholar. He later trained under Ustad Allauddin Khan of the Maihar gharana, whose students included legends like Ravi Shankar.
In 1940, Khawaja Khurshid Anwar appointed him as a staff artist at All India Radio in Delhi, where Roshan became known for his skill with the esraj. After eight years, he resigned in 1948 and moved to Bombay to pursue a career in film music.
Struggling to survive in Bombay
Despite his impressive training, Roshan found little work in Bombay at first. He briefly assisted Khawaja Khurshid Anwar on the film ‘Singaar’ in 1949, but opportunities were extremely limited. It was filmmaker Kidar Sharma who gave Roshan his first break as an independent composer in ‘Neki Aur Badi’ in 1949. The film did not succeed at the box office, but Sharma saw Roshan’s potential and offered him another chance. This second opportunity changed his life. ‘Baawre Nain’, released in 1950, became a musical success and introduced Roshan as a composer worth watching.
Musical growth in the 1950s and golden success in the 1960s
Throughout the 1950s, Roshan composed for several films and worked with legendary singers such as Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh and Talat Mahmood. His music for productions like ‘Malhar’, ‘Anhonee’, ‘Shisham’ and ‘Naubahar’ displayed his versatility. The devotional song ‘Ae Re Kanhaiya’ from ‘Naubahar’, sung by Lata Mangeshkar, became extremely popular across India.
The 1960s brought Roshan his greatest acclaim. His music for ‘Barsaat Ki Raat’ in 1960, particularly the qawwalis ‘Na To Caravan Ki Talash Hai’ and ‘Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai’, became evergreen classics. Roshan became widely admired for blending classical and folk styles with cinematic orchestration. He continued delivering acclaimed compositions for films like ‘Taj Mahal’, ‘Chitralekha’ and ‘Bahu Begum’.
Family and final years
Roshan married singer Ira Moitra in 1948, and the couple raised two sons,
Rakesh Roshan and Rajesh Roshan, both of whom carried forward the family’s artistic legacy. Rakesh eventually became an actor, director and producer, while Rajesh became a respected composer known for his melodic style.
Despite his success, Roshan struggled with chronic heart problems. On November 16, 1967, he died of a heart attack during a social gathering in Mumbai at the age of fifty.
Hrithik Roshan: A superstar who carried forward the Roshan legacy
Roshan’s influence continued through his grandchildren, especially Hrithik Roshan, who became a national sensation with his debut film ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’ in 2000. He went on to deliver several acclaimed performances in films including ‘Koi Mil Gaya’, ‘Dhoom 2’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, ‘Agneepath’ and ‘War’. According to GQ India and Forbes, Hrithik’s estimated net worth today is around ₹3,100 crore.
Meanwhile, Hrithik’s elder sister, Sunaina Roshan, has also been closely involved in the productions, contributing as a co-producer and helping manage several projects including ‘Krrish 3’ and ‘Kites’. Sunaina has spoken openly about her personal battles with health issues and continues to be an inspiration for her resilience.
Hrithik Roshan’s current work front
Hrithik Roshan was recently seen in the action film ‘War 2’ alongside Jr NTR. In a chat with Bollywood Hungama, Rakesh Roshan also revealed that ‘Krrish 4’ is currently in pre-production and they plan to release it in 2027. Hrithik also has a cameo role in the upcoming film ‘Alpha’, which features Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor.
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