Rakesh Roshan (born 6 September 1949)[1] is an Indian film producer, director, screenwriter and actor who works in Hindi films.[3] He had appeared in 84 films throughout the 1970s and 1980s. As an actor, he was 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.
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.[5]
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 (right) with his son Hrithik Roshan (left) and Thakur Doultani (middle)
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.
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 assassination attempt
On 21 January 2000, Roshan was shot at by two Budesh gang members near his office on Tilak Road at Santacruz, Mumbai.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12]
Career
Roshan (left) with his son Hrithik Roshan (right) in 2025
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.[14]
He directed his son for the third time in its sequel, the science-fiction superhero filmKrrish (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.[15]
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,[16] the film received negative reviews and emerged as a commercial failure at the box-office.[17]
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.[18] 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.[19]
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.[20]
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.[21]
Personal life
Roshan with his wife Pinkie (left) and daughter Sunaina (right)
Rakesh is married to Pinkie Roshan, daughter of J. Om Prakash. They have two children, Sunaina Roshan and Hrithik Roshan.[22]
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.[25]
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 films he directed have titles start with the letter 'K'.
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