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Rajesh Roshan (Music Director) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

Quick Info

Date of birth24 May 1955

Age69 (as of 2024)

BirthplaceMumbai, Maharashtra, India

ProfessionMusic Composer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseKanchan Roshan

FamilyFather - Roshan Lal Nagrath; Mother - Ira Roshan; Brother - Rakesh Roshan; Children - Eshaan (son), Pashmina (daughter)

Rajesh Roshan (Music Director) Biography

Rajesh Roshan Lal Nagrath is an Indian music composer from Mumbai who rose to prominence in the 1970s. He established himself with early work in films such

Early life and background

Rajesh Roshan Lal Nagrath was born on 24 May 1955 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He grew up in the city his parents had moved to seeking work; his father was Punjabi from Bareilly and his mother was Bengali from Delhi. Roshan’s father, music director Roshan Lal Nagrath, died when Rajesh was ten, and Rajesh later carried forward his family’s musical legacy.

He received early music guidance from his mother and from Faiz Ahmed Khan Saheb while listening to her rehearsals. He also trained under Laxmikant of the Laxmikant–Pyarelal duo during his formative years.

Career

Rajesh Roshan made his debut as a music director with the 1974 film Kunwara Baap. The first recorded song associated with his early work was “Saj Rahi Gali” from that film, notable for incorporating a troupe of transgender performers in the recording. His profile rose sharply after composing the soundtrack for Julie (1975), a project that brought him wide recognition and earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director.

Over the next years he worked for a range of Hindi films and became known in the industry for a melodic sensibility. He is also credited with convincing actor Amitabh Bachchan to sing for a film for the first time, guiding him on the song “Mere Paas Aao” from Mr. Natwarlal (1979).

Public profile

Within the film community Roshan is regarded as soft-spoken and shy. Family is a visible part of his public identity: he is the son of established music director Roshan Lal Nagrath and the brother of filmmaker Rakesh Roshan. Rajesh Roshan lives in Mumbai, the city of his birth and upbringing, and practices Hinduism.

Personal life

Rajesh Roshan is married to Kanchan Roshan. The couple have two children, a son named Eshaan and a daughter named Pashmina. Physically, Roshan is listed with a height of 165 cm (about 5'5") and a weight of roughly 78 kg (about 172 lbs); his hair is described as salt-and-pepper and he has dark brown eyes.

Controversy

A legal dispute involving allegations of plagiarism is part of the public record: in 2008 composer Ram Sampath filed a case related to songs from the film Krazzy 4. That matter concluded with a settlement by the Roshan family for 2 crore INR.

Latest updates

Roshan’s most notable early credits remain the films that established him in the 1970s, including his debut Kunwara Baap and the breakthrough Julie. He retains recognition for contributions such as encouraging a major actor to perform a film song and for winning a Filmfare award early in his career.

Public persona and tastes

Roshan has cited admiration for actors such as Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand and Hrithik Roshan. Musicians he favors include Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, A.R. Rahman, R.D. Burman, Anu Malik and several contemporary vocalists. He is known in industry circles for a discreet, low-key presence rather than flamboyant publicity.
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Recent Work

Kunwara Baap

Music direction debut; included the song “Saj Rahi Gali”

1974
Julie

Breakthrough score that won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director

1975
Mr. Natwarlal

Featured the song “Mere Paas Aao,” notable for Amitabh Bachchan singing

1979
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Career Highlights

  1. Made music direction debut with Kunwara Baap (1974)
  2. Won Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for Julie (1975)
  3. Convincing Amitabh Bachchan to sing in Mr. Natwarlal (1979)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Rajesh Roshan (Music Director) born?

24 May 1955

What is Rajesh Roshan (Music Director) known for?

Music Composer

What is Rajesh Roshan (Music Director)’s marital status?

Married

Who is Rajesh Roshan (Music Director) married to?

Kanchan Roshan