Rajesh Roshan
Rajesh Roshanlal Nagrath is an Indian music director and composer.
In 2025, Netflix released a four-part documentary series titled The Roshans. The series traces the artistic lineage from composer Roshan 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.
Personal life
Roshan was born to music director Roshanlal Nagrath and singer Ira Nagrath on 24 May 1953 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency. He is younger brother to actor, director and producer Rakesh Roshan, thus making him uncle to latter's children, Sunaina Roshan and actor Hrithik Roshan. He is married to Kanchan Roshan with whom he has two children – a son, Eshaan Roshan, married to actor and model Aishwarya Singh in 2025 and a daughter, Pashmina Roshan, also an actress.Career
Rajesh Roshan had a frequent successful collaboration with Kishore Kumar, Basu Chatterjee, Dev Anand, Mohammed Rafi, Amit Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle. He shot to fame with the score for the 1974 film Kunwara Baap and the 1975 film Julie; for the latter he won the Filmfare Best [Music Director Award].Rajesh Roshan scored for Kunwara Baap and then in three back-to-back hit films: Des Pardes, Man Pasand, Lootmaar. He went on to compose melodious tunes and made Kishore Kumar sing them in films like Mama Bhanja, Doosra Aadmi, Swami, Priyatama, Yehi Hai Zindagi, Ek Hi Raasta, Swarag Narak, Inkaar, Khatta Meetha, Baton Baton Mein, Do Aur Do Paanch, Kaamchor, Hamari Bahu Alka, Jaag Utha Insan, Bhagwaan Dada, Ghar Sansar followed by films with Rajesh Khanna like Janta Hawaldar, Nishaan, Babu and Aakhir Kyon?.
In the 1990s, he worked in albums like Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Papa Kehte Hai, Koyla, Keemat – They Are Back, Daag: The Fire, Dastak, Kya Kehna and Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai.
Critics believe that several of his most popular songs are closely based on popular songs from other countries.
Rajesh Roshan has been the recipient of several prestigious awards for his contributions to Hindi cinema music. He has won multiple Filmfare Award for [Best Music Director|Filmfare Awards] and other accolades for Best Music Director for films like Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and Koi... Mil Gaya.
Plagiarism claims
Rajesh Roshan has often been accused of plagiarism; journalist Karan Thapar talks of at least 39 "copied tunes". Indian music critic Karthik Srinivasan, on his website ItwoFS, which tracks plagiarism in the Indian film music industry, lists 41 such tunes. These include some of Roshan's best-known titles, such as "Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye" being inspired by "Hear The Whistle Blow A Hundred Miles" from Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and "Aye Dil Laya Hai Bahaar" inspired by Neil Sedaka's 1959 hit single "Oh! Carol".In 2008, the Bombay High Court obligated the Roshan brothers to pay up to Rs 2 crore to music composer Ram Sampath following his accusations of their movie Krazzy 4, produced by Rakesh and having Rajesh as music director, containing Sampath's plagiarized music score.
Filmography
As Music Director
Television
- ''The Roshans''