Bollywood director Rakesh Roshan on Priyanka Chopra’s praise, Hrithik Roshan's faith and Shah Rukh’s doubts

Everyone seems to be saying the same thing: “We had no idea these iconic compositions were created by your father.” It’s been an eye-opener for so many people, yourself included, I’m sure.

Yes, the journey started in 1947 when my father arrived in Bombay. It’s been a remarkable 77 years since.

Not really. But there’s a story behind this. Years ago, I came across a transistor listing over 10,000 songs, but my father’s songs were there but did not have his name. It hurt deeply. My father contributed so much to the industry, and I couldn’t understand why he was forgotten. I shared this with Shashi Ranjan [series director], and he suggested making a documentary about him. But then I thought, maybe today’s generation wouldn’t fully connect with my father’s era. So why not include all three generations—my father, myself, and Hrithik? That way, people could understand our family’s contribution across decades.

Honestly, yes. I didn’t know what Hrithik, Rajesh, or others had shared about me until I watched the final version. When the director, Shashi Ranjan, began asking me questions, I stopped being Rakesh Roshan, the filmmaker. I became a son, a husband, a father. I spoke about my struggles and journey, not my success. It was deeply personal but cathartic.

It’s not just about acceptance—it’s about involvement. When I cast Ameesha Patel or Preity Zinta, I wanted actors who were fully invested in the project. For example, I saw Priyanka’s work while she was working on her career's first movie Aitraaz. It was being mixed in a studio. I watched her for half an hour and immediately knew she was right for my next film. I called her home and signed her. It’s about recognising talent and trusting your instinct.

Discipline is the first step to success, not just in Bollywood but in any industry. If you’re not disciplined, you miss opportunities. It’s something I’ve always emphasised, and it’s why I’ve been able to sustain myself in this industry for so long.

Whatever Bollywood and life have given me, I’m very content. I don’t want to be part of the rat race, making ten films at a time just to earn more. I want to create meaningful films that leave a lasting impact.

They were young and playful, and it often turned into mischief on set. Sometimes their pranks got out of hand. But I stayed calm and prayed for patience. I told them, “Trust my process. Do it the way I’ve envisioned it. If it doesn’t work, we’ll change it.” When Salman saw the film, he hugged me and said, “What a wonderful job you’ve done.” And Shah Rukh admitted that he doubted me but was proven wrong.

South Indian cinema has mastered the art of blending strong storytelling with grand visuals, songs, and action. When I saw the Naatu Naatu sequence in RRR, I thought, “Is this even real?” Bollywood has brilliant ideas but often lacks the emotional depth and grandeur that connect with audiences. We need to think out of the box and evolve.

There are two types of commercial films—those with substance and those without. I’ve always believed in starting with a strong subject and decorating it with good songs, visuals, and locations. Today’s audiences still crave emotional connections, even if the format changes. It’s about striking the right balance.

Hrithik and I share a deep understanding. He sometimes disagrees, and I listen to him carefully. But I analyze every suggestion. Sometimes I adopt them; sometimes I explain why they might not work. It’s a collaborative process built on trust and respect.

Their ideas are excellent, but they need to surround their films with strong emotional elements, great locations, and music. South Indian cinema does this beautifully. Bollywood needs to learn from that while staying true to its own identity.