Mumbai, May 23: In the realm of Hindi cinema, when discussing melodious music and unforgettable songs, the name Rajesh Roshan invariably comes up. His compositions have significantly enhanced films and played a crucial role in the careers of numerous artists. Few know that he was the one who gave the legendary Amitabh Bachchan his first opportunity to sing in a film. With a career spanning over five decades, Rajesh Roshan has carved a special place in the hearts of audiences through his romantic melodies.
Rajesh Roshan was born on May 24, 1955, in Mumbai. His full name is Rajesh Roshanlal Nagrath. He is the son of the renowned composer Roshanlal Nagrath. His elder brother, Rakesh Roshan, is a successful actor, producer, and director in Hindi cinema, while Hrithik Roshan is his nephew. Tragically, Rajesh lost his father at the tender age of 12. Following this loss, the family faced tough times, but his mother, Ira Roshan, managed to keep the family together and nurtured their bond with music.
Initially, Rajesh did not dream of becoming a musician; he aspired for a government job. However, his mother frequently took him to learn music from Ustad Faiyaz Ahmed Khan, and gradually, his interest in music blossomed. He later pursued music education seriously and began working as an assistant to the famous composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal. After five years of learning the intricacies of music, he was ready to make his mark.
Rajesh Roshan launched his career as a music director in 1974 with the film “Kunwara Baap.” The song “Saj Rahi Gali” from this film was well-received. However, he gained true recognition with the 1975 film “Julie,” featuring hits like “Dil Kya Kare,” “Ye Raatein Nai Purani,” and “My Heart Is Beating.” For this film, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey.
Throughout his career, Rajesh Roshan has composed music for numerous blockbuster films. His work in “Desh Pardesh,” “Mr. Natwarlal,” “Kala Patthar,” “Kamchor,” “Karan Arjun,” “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai,” “Koi… Mil Gaya,” and “Krrish” has been immensely popular across generations.
One of the most intriguing anecdotes involves Amitabh Bachchan. During the making of “Mr. Natwarlal” in 1979, Rajesh approached Amitabh to sing a song. At that time, Amitabh had never sung in films. Rajesh guided him to record “Mere Paas Aao Mere Doston,” which became a massive hit among both children and adults. This marked the beginning of Amitabh’s singing career, thanks to Rajesh Roshan.
Over his extensive career, Rajesh Roshan has won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director twice: first for “Julie” and then for “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai,” the film that catapulted his nephew Hrithik Roshan to stardom. Rajesh has composed music for over 125 films, gifting Bollywood countless memorable songs.
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