The Roshans, Netflix's much-anticipated docuseries, delves deep not just under the surface but also through the intricacies of one of India's most storied film families—the Roshans. The four-part series is both nostalgic and informative, offering audiences insight not only about the successes of the family but also the abundant struggles and sacrifices they endured to reach their celebrated stature within Hindi cinema.
At the heart of the narrative is Roshan Lal Nagrath, the family patriarch, who immigrated to Mumbai from Gujranwala, Pakistan, during the tumultuous year of 1948. He pursued his love for music with uncompromised zeal, determined to carve out a legacy for himself and his family. The series begins with heartwarming moments where Hrithik Roshan, the family's modern superstar, discovers his grandfather's old music cassettes, igniting memories rooted deep within the family history. Hrithik’s tender reflection, “There is a very interesting story, how our family name went from Nagrath to Roshan,” sets the tone for exploring family legacy and evolution, according to the Netflix report.
The storytelling taps not only the glorious peaks but also the challenging valleys of the Roshans' history. It showcases how the tumultuous path paved by financial hardships and social identity shaped Roshan Lal's climb to fame and continues to inspire the following generations. Asha Bhosle, another iconic figure, recalls how the elder Roshan's compositions left lasting impressions, indicating the tonal depth of his work during those early days.
Rajesh Roshan, Roshan Lal's son and another key figure dedicated to music composition, is presented with the same level of care. His legacy—which includes popular tracks like “Sara Zamana Haseeno Ka Deewana”—reflects both his brilliance and the realities of musical trends as he navigated the changing industry. His struggle to stay relevant, especially during times when younger talents emerged, paints the picture of both resilience and transition, highlighted by quotes like, “Eccentric, difficult, but he is magical,” attributed to the acclaimed director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The series culminates with the triumphant story of Hrithik Roshan, whose breakthrough role defined his career. Hrithik’s impressive ascent, marked by the success of “Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai,” is thoughtfully interrogated, acknowledging the behind-the-scenes effort and challenges faced, which he summed perfectly depicting every high and low with the insightful, “Through those failures, you realize you were meant to become who you are.”
While “The Roshans” promises incredible storytelling, it still struggles with delivering depth. Critics note the series’ family-friendly tone often feels sanitized, glossing over moments of crisis or complexity within the family's dynamics. For example, Rakesh Roshan’s near-fatal shooting incident, mentioned only briefly, elicits questions about the dark undertones of life within the film industry, yet these pivotal events are regrettably relegated to background mentions.
This lack of focus on conflict means many industry figures, invited to share their homage, instead offer paint-by-numbers appreciations of the family's contributions without delving too deep, missing the mark on the emotional or intellectual cost of such sustained filmmaking success. Karan Johar mentions how individual family members shaped the industry, yet these insights seem cursory rather than incisive. Beyond the accolades, the series could have benefited from penetrating commentary on the pressures faced by multi-generational dynasties within Bollywood, the intricacies of familial expectations, and the genuine struggles each member faced.
Despite its shortcomings, “The Roshans” remains appealing to film enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, weaving together the nostalgia of their music and family ties. Television viewers find joy through the sentiments expressed, alongside familiar hazy childhood memories weaved through the family’s song compilations.
Yet, one must ask: will it ever get past the celebratory surface? Although the show succeeds at showcasing the successes and highlight reel moments—the slow-paced montage of past film projects—as well as the touching family stories, it navigates away from exploring the deep nuances, making the show feel more like feel-good content over something more impactful or modern, something akin to “I, me, and myself” centering on Hrithik’s own narrative over his family's dynamic.
While it certainly touches on the emotional currents of their lives, the repetitive accolades and soft-focus storytelling leave the potential for impactful narratives underdeveloped. “The Roshans,” on the whole, provides lovely glimpses of greatness and the warmth of family ties but sadly echoes with hints of excess instead of the daring revelations or struggles audiences crave from such iconic figures.
On the whole, “The Roshans” is approachable entertainment—highlighting the family's legacy, struggles, and triumphs—209 aligned perfectly with the general tone of celebratory documentaries. With room for improvement, it still stands as solid viewing, offering appreciation to the work of the Roshan family as well as to the countless lives they’ve touched through their music and films. One thing remains clear—until something more daring emerges, this remains the tribute fans can appreciate, alongside those who possess the courage to relish past critiques awaiting their turn to learn more.