‘The Roshans’ review: Warmth with a bit of illumination

The Roshans promises warmth rather than illumination, in keeping with its format. Like The Romantics, about Yash Chopra and his son Aditya Chopra, and Angry Young Men, about the screenwriters Salim-Javed, The Roshans has the imprimatur of its participants, which leads to considerable access and scanty insights.

Directed by Shashi Ranjan for Netflix, The Roshans traces three generations of the Nagrath family –the celebrated film composer Roshan Lal Nagrath, his sons Rakesh Roshan and Rajesh Roshan, and grandson Hrithik Roshan. Ranjan chats with various members of the Roshan clan, including the wives of the actor-director Rakesh Roshan and music composer Rajesh Roshan. Shashi Ranjan also lines up an array of prominent guests – actors, directors, singers, composers, friends – who supply affectionate reminiscences.

Each of the four Roshans has an episode dedicated to him. The most engaging and thoughtful episode is about the patriarch, whose musical brilliance has endured long after the movies for which he created tunes have been forgotten.

Through conversations with singers, session musicians and composers, the reasons for Roshan’s eminence become clear. The interviews reveal how he approached his musical arrangements and handled singers and lyricists. Rich in nostalgia, this episode is also noteworthy for the sheer number of luminaries who have been unearthed.

Veterans like Asha Bhosle, Suman Kalyanpur, Sudha Malhotra, Pyarelal…

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