Rakesh Roshan

In this Indian name, the name Roshan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Rakesh.

Rakesh Roshan
Roshan in 2025
Born	Rakesh Roshan Nagrath (1949-09-06) 6 September 1949 Bombay, Bombay State, India
Other name	Guddu
Occupations	Film producer film director screenwriter actor
Years active	1970–present
Organisation	Filmkraft Productions
Spouse	Pinkie Roshan ​ (m. 1970)​
Children	2, including Hrithik Roshan
Parents	Roshan (father) Ira Roshan (mother)
Relatives	Roshan family

Rakesh Roshan Nagrath (born 6 September 1949) is an Indian film producer, director, screenwriter and actor who works in Hindi films. He appeared in 84 films in the 1970s and 1980s. As an actor, he is mostly known for his supporting roles in big-budget films. Later, his prominence increased and he achieved fame for directing films with titles beginning with the letter "K" since 1987.

As a filmmaker, his work includes the action drama Khudgarz (1987), the revenge drama thriller Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), the action comedy Kishen Kanhaiya (1990), the melodramatic thriller Karan Arjun (1995), the musical romantic thriller Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000), the science fiction film Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and its sequels, the superhero Krrish film series (2006–13). He has won the Filmfare Award for Best Film and Best Director for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and Koi... Mil Gaya.

In 2025, Netflix released a four-part documentary series titled The Roshans. The series traces the artistic lineage from composer Roshan Lal Nagrath to his sons Rakesh Roshan and Rajesh Roshan, and to actor Hrithik Roshan, reflecting on how the family's creative output helped shape mainstream Bollywood music and cinema.

Early life

Rakesh was born on 6 September 1949 to Indian Punjabi music director, Roshan Lal Nagrath and Bengali singer, Ira Moitra. His younger brother is Rajesh Roshan.

Career

1970–1986

After his father's untimely death, Rakesh started his career as an assistant director to filmmaker Mohan Kumar in films like Anjaana starring Rajendra Kumar and Babita. Rajendra Kumar referred him to some filmmakers and thus he was signed by Soodesh Kumar for Man Mandir starring Sanjeev Kumar and Waheeda Rehman. As an actor, he made his debut in the 1970 film Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, in which he got a supporting role.

Rakesh got very few solo hero films in his career. He got such roles in more women-oriented films, such as Paraya Dhan with Hema Malini, Aankh Micholi with Bharathi, Khubsoorat with Rekha and Kaamchor with Jaya Prada. His few successful solo hero films, with the focus equally on both hero and heroine, were Aankhon Aankhon Mein with Rakhee, Nafrat with Yogita Bali, Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara with Leena Chandavarkar, Hamari Bahu Alka with Bindiya Goswami and Shubh Kaamna with Rati Agnihotri. J. Om Prakash produced Aankhon Aankhon Mein with Rakesh in the lead. Later, J. Om Prakash directed Aakraman, with Sanjeev Kumar in the lead, and had Rakesh in a supporting role, and then produced Aakhir Kyon?, with Rajesh Khanna in the lead and Rakesh in a supporting role.

Rakesh played supporting roles in a few successful films such as Man Mandir with Sanjeev Kumar in the lead, Khel Khel Mein with Rishi Kapoor in the lead, Bullet with Dev Anand as the hero, Hatyara with Vinod Khanna in the lead, Dhongee with Randhir Kapoor, Khandaan with Jeetendra and Neeyat with Shashi Kapoor as the lead hero. He played supporting roles regularly in films with Rajesh Khanna in the lead role and of those, Chalta Purza was a failure and the other three were blockbusters - Dhanwan, Awaaz and Aakhir Kyon?. The few multi-star cast films he was part of as the lead hero that were successful between 1977 and 1986 were Devata, Shriman Shrimati and Haathkadi, all of which had Sanjeev Kumar as the main lead hero and Jaag Utha Insan and Ek Aur Sikander, which had Mithun Chakraborty in the main lead, and other hits such as Dil Aur Deewaar, Khatta Meetha, Unees-Bees (1980) and Maqaar (1986). Most of his other films as a second lead hero or solo hero films between 1973 and 1990 were box office flops.

Rakesh set up his own production company, Filmkraft, in 1980 and their first production was Aap Ke Deewane (1980), which was a box office flop. His next venture was Kaamchor, also produced by him, which became a hit, but the success of this film was attributed to its music and the heroine Jaya Prada. His next solo hero film Shubh Kaamna, directed by K. Vishwanath, was a hit. He tried to re-launch himself as a lead hero with Bhagwaan Dada (1986), directed by J. Om Prakash and starring Rajinikanth as the main lead and himself in the second lead. But the film was a flop. Between 1984 and 1990 he only got supporting roles, with the exception of Bahurani. The multi-star films where he was the second lead, such as Maqaar and Ek Aur Sikander were successful. His last film as a leading hero was Bahurani, which was a woman-oriented film starring Rekha in the lead, which was directed by Manik Chatterjee and released in 1989.

1987–1999

Roshan (left) with his son Hrithik Roshan (right) and Thakur Doultani (middle)

Rakesh made his directorial debut with the action drama Khudgarz (1987), starring Jeetendra, Shatrughan Sinha, Govinda, Bhanupriya, Amrita Singh and Neelam Kothari. The film emerged as a huge commercial success at the box-office.

He next directed the revenge drama thriller Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), starring Rekha alongside Kabir Bedi and Sonu Walia. The film received highly positive reviews upon release, and became a major commercial success at the box-office. It was also noted as a path-breaking film, emerging as one of the first successful films with the heroine as the central protagonist. The film also earned Rekha her second Filmfare Award for Best Actress, in addition to Roshan's first nominations for Best Film and Best Director. He followed it up with the action comedy Kishen Kanhaiya (1990), starring Anil Kapoor in dual roles, alongside Madhuri Dixit and Shilpa Shirodkar.

His next directorial venture was the romantic comedy Khel in 1992 starring an ensemble cast of Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Anupam Kher, Mala Sinha and Sonu Walia in lead roles and action comedy King Uncle in 1993 starring an ensemble cast of Jackie Shroff, Anu Aggarwal, Shah Rukh Khan, Nagma and Paresh Rawal in lead roles. Both Khel and King Uncle were commercially successful and have since gained cult status, being well received by families and children. King Uncle was one of few early successful films in which Shah Rukh Khan played a supporting role or second lead. It is also first film of Rakesh Roshan with Shah Rukh Khan.

His next directorial venture was the melodramatic thriller Karan Arjun (1995), starring Raakhee Gulzar, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Mamta Kulkarni and Amrish Puri in lead roles. The film received positive reviews from critics, and emerged as a blockbuster at the box-office, ranking as the second-highest-grossing Indian film of the year. It also earned Roshan his second nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Film and Best Director.

He next directed the action thriller Koyla (1997), starring Shah Rukh and Dixit. The film received mixed reviews from critics, and emerged as an average grosser at the box-office, ranking as the ninth highest-grossing Indian film of the year.

2000–present

2000 murder attempt

On 21 January 2000, Roshan was shot at by two Budesh gang members near his office on Tilak Road at Santacruz, Mumbai. The assailants fired two bullets at him, one of which hit him on the left arm, while the other grazed his chest. As the director fell to the ground, the assailants fled the scene. The culprits were later identified as Sunil Vithal Gaikwad and Sachin Kamble. The attack on Rakesh was not undertaken with the intent to kill, but to signal that the Shiv Sena could no longer protect its clients. Rakesh had stonewalled demands from Budesh for a percentage of the profits from the overseas earnings of his hit film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai.

Hrithik's career

Roshan (right) with his son Hrithik Roshan (left) in 2025

He launched his son Hrithik's career as a lead actor with the musical romantic thriller Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000), alongside debutante Ameesha Patel. Rakesh later revealed that this film was inspired by Shakti Samanta's Aradhana (1969), starring Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna. The film received positive reviews from critics upon release, and emerged as the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year. It won Rakesh his first Filmfare Award for Best Film and Best Director, in addition to entering the Limca Book of Records for the most awards won by a Bollywood film.

He directed his son again, alongside Rekha and Preity Zinta, in the 2003 science-fiction film Koi... Mil Gaya. The first installment of the Krrish franchise, the film opened to positive reviews, with particular praise for its novel concept, and emerged as the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year. It earned Rakesh his second consecutive Filmfare Award for Best Film and Best Director.

He directed his son for the third time in its sequel, the science-fiction superhero film Krrish (2006), alongside Priyanka Chopra, Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah. The film received positive reviews upon release, and emerged as a trend-setter, bringing in Hindi cinema's first superhero. It emerged as a major commercial success at the box-office, ranking as the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year. Krrish earned Rakesh his fifth nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Film and Best Director.

In 2008, he produced the comedy thriller Krazzy 4 which marked his first production-only venture. Directed by Jaideep Sen and starring Juhi Chawla, Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Rajpal Yadav and Suresh Menon, the film received negative reviews and emerged as a commercial failure at the box-office.

In 2010, he produced the Bollywood-meets-Hollywood crossover film titled Kites, directed by Anurag Basu and starring Hrithik alongside Mexican actress Bárbara Mori. Despite hype prior to release, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews upon release, and emerged as a commercial failure at the box-office. Another version of this film was released internationally and known as Brett Ratner presents Kites: The Remix. This version was shorter, and mainly toned down the amount of musical numbers.

His next directorial was Krrish 3 (2013), the third film of the Krrish franchise. With Hrithik and Chopra reprising their roles from the previous film, it also stars Vivek Oberoi and Kangana Ranaut. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics upon release, and emerged as a major commercial success at the box-office, ranking as the third highest-grossing Indian film of the year.

In 2017, he produced the romantic action thriller Kaabil, starring Hrithik alongside Yami Gautam. The film opened to mixed reviews from critics upon release, and emerged as an average grosser at the box-office.

He is next set to direct Krrish 4, with Hrithik and Priyanka Chopra reprising their roles. However, the film has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personal life

Roshan with his wife Pinkie (right) and daughter Sunaina (left)

Rakesh is married to Pinkie Roshan, daughter of J. Om Prakash. They have two children, Sunaina Roshan and Hrithik Roshan.

In January 2019, Rakesh was diagnosed with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the throat.

Honours

• Rakesh was honoured on 3 December 2006 during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji for his contribution to mainstream cinema.
• On 11 December 2006, Rakesh was honoured during the Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA) for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema over the past 35 years.

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Producer	Director	Actor
1970	Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani	Suresh			Y
1971	Man Mandir	Ramu			Y
	Paraya Dhan	Shankar			Y
	Seema				Y
1972	Aankhon Aankhon Mein	Rakesh Rai			Y
	Aankh Micholi	Ravi			Y
	Buniyaad	Ajit Kumar			Y
1973	Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara	Harish Bhatia			Y
	Nafrat	Prakash			Y
1974	Goonj	Rakesh Kumar			Y
	Pugli	Raja			Y
	Trimurti	Nandu			Y
	Madhosh	Goldie			Y
1975	Khel Khel Mein	Vikram "Vicky"			Y
	Aakraman	Lieutenant Sunil Mehra			Y
	Zakhmee	Amar			Y
1976	Bullet	Inspector Rajesh			Y
	Ginny Aur Johnny				Y
	Raeeszada				Y
1977	Anand Ashram	Dr. Prakash			Y
	Chalta Purza	Inspector Sunil Verma			Y
	Priyatama	Rakesh			Y
	Hatyara	Inspector Prakash			Y
	Haiwan				Y
1978	Aahuti	Bharat Prasad			Y
	Dil Aur Deewaar	Chandu			Y
	Khatta Meetha	Firoz Sethna			Y
	Devata	George			Y
1979	Ganga Aur Geeta	Friendly Appearance			Y
	Jhoota Kahin Ka	Vijay Rai / Vikram			Y
	Dhongee	Inspector Thapa			Y
	Khandaan	Rakesh			Y
	Prem Jaal	Mahendra			Y
	Ikraar	Hero			Y
	Aangan Ki Kali	Anmol			Y
1980	Aap Ke Deewane	Rahim	Y		Y
	Unees-Bees	Dev			Y
	Neeyat	Ajay			Y
	Pyaara Dushman	Raja			Y
	Khubsoorat	Indra Gupta			Y
1981	Bhula Na Dena	Arun			Y
	Naari				Y
	Daasi	Anup			Y
	Dhanwan	Anil			Y
	Hotel	Vijay			Y
	Haqdaar	Rakesh			Y
	Jeene Ki Arzoo	Ravi			Y
1982	Haathkadi	Baldev Mittal			Y
	Vakil Baboo	Prem Oberoi			Y
	Teesri Ankh	Anand			Y
	Hamari Bahu Alka	Pratapchand			Y
	Jeevan Dhaara	Kamal Pal Singh			Y
	Shriman Shrimati	Rajesh Kumar			Y
	Kaamchor	Suraj	Y		Y
	Waqt Waqt Ki Baat	Inspector Shankar			Y
	Baawri	Shyam Bhardwaj			Y
	Begunaah Qaidi				Y
1983	Shubh Kaamna	Ratan			Y
	Jeet Hamaari	Anand			Y
1984	Main Qatil Hoon				Y
	Hanste Khelte	Rakesh			Y
	Awaaz	Inspector Vijay Gupta			Y
	Zindagi Jeene Ke Liye	Ashok			Y
	Jaag Utha Insan	Brahmanand Chaturvedi "Nandu"	Y		Y
1985	Pyaase Honth				Y
	Bahu Ki Awaaz	Vimal Srivastav			Y
	Mahaguru	Subhash			Y
	Aakhir Kyon?	Kabir Suri			Y
	Zulm Ka Badla	Inspector Anil Verma			Y
	Patthar Dil	Chandar			Y
	Kaala Sooraj	Inspector Pratap Singh			Y
	Haveli	Kumar Saxena			Y
1986	Maqaar				Y
	Khamosh Nigahen				Y
	Bhagwaan Dada	Swaroop	Y		Y
	Ek Aur Sikander	Inspector Amar Verma			Y
	Anubhav	Amit Kumar			Y
1987	Mera Yaar Mera Dushman	Ashok			Y
	Daku Hasina	S.P. Ranjeet Saxena			Y
	Khudgarz		Y	Y
1988	Ramkudi Jhamkudi				Y
	Be Lagaam				Y
	Paigham	Naasir Khaan			Y
	Khoon Bhari Maang	Vikram Saxena	Y	Y	Y
1989	Bahurani	Amit Chaudhary			Y
	Kala Bazaar			Y
1990	Shararat	Guest Role			Y
	Kishen Kanhaiya		Y	Y
1992	Khel	Tara Jaisingh's Manager		Y	Y
1993	King Uncle		Y	Y
1995	Pyar Do Pyar Lo	Himself			Y
	Karan Arjun		Y	Y
	Akele Hum Akele Tum	Paresh Kapoor			Y
1996	Aurat Aurat Aurat	Rakesh "Guddu"			Y
1997	Koyla		Y	Y
1997	Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha		Y
1999	Mother	Amar Khanna			Y
2000	Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai		Y	Y
	Karobaar			Y
2003	Koi... Mil Gaya	Sanjay Mehra	Y	Y	Y
2006	Krrish		Y	Y	Y
2007	Om Shanti Om	Himself			Y
2008	Krazzy 4		Y
2010	Kites		Y
2013	Krrish 3	Sanjay Mehra	Y	Y	Y
2017	Kaabil		Y

Television

• The Roshans (2025)

Frequent collaborations

As a director, Rakesh is known for making films with his son Hrithik Roshan and having music directed by his younger brother Rajesh Roshan. Other actors he has frequently collaborated with include Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan, and Amrish Puri. All of the films he has directed, have their titles start with the letter 'K'.

Awards

Year	Film	Award	Category
2004	Koi Mil Gaya	National Film Awards	Best Film on Social Issues
2001	Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai	Filmfare Awards	Best Film
			Best Director
2004	Koi Mil Gaya		Best Film
			Best Director
2001	Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai	IIFA Awards	Best Film
			Best Director
2004	Koi Mil Gaya
2007	Krrish		Creative Person of the Year
2009	Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Koi Mil Gaya		Golden Decade Honour for Best Director
2001	Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai	Zee Cine Awards	Best Film
			Best Director
2004	Koi Mil Gaya		Best Film
			Best Director
		Apsara Awards	Best Film
			Best Director
2015	-		Lifetime Achievement Award
2001	Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai	Bollywood Movie Awards	Best Film
			Best Director

External links

• Rakesh Roshan at IMDb
• LUX Magazine: Bollywood Bubbling Archived 24 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine