5 Decades, 130 Plus Albums – Rajesh Roshan’s Musical Journey, His Revival By Rakesh Roshan & Hrithik Roshan!

Born on 24th May 1955, Rajesh Roshan was attracted towards music at a very tender age wherein his father, Roshan used to ask him for inputs during several music composition seating. In his childhood, the music composer was a fan of the albums composed by Shankar – Jaikishan and SD Burman, however over the years realized the beauty of music composed by his father, Roshan. After loosing his father at a very tender age, he learnt the basics of music from Ustad Faiyaz Ahmed Khan.

To polish the skills, his mother, Ira Roshan after speaking to renowned lyricist, Anand Bakshi got him to train with Laxmikanth – Pyarelal.

After training under them for nearly 5 years, Rajesh Roshan made his debut as a music director in 1974 with Kuwara Baap. Though the music of the film was appreciated, it was Julie which got him leave a mark in the industry, which was otherwise dominated R.D.Burman, Kayanji – Anandji and Laxmikanth – Pyarelal. Julie was followed by successful albums like Swami, Priyatama, Doosara Aadmi, Inkaar, Khatta Meetha, Desh Pardesh, Mr. Natwarlal, Yaarana, Khuddhar, Do Aur Do Paanch, and Kaam Chor, which made him one of the most successful music directors of the film industry. Every singer wanted to sing to the tunes of Rajesh Roshan back then, which speaks about the success that he witnessed in a span of 8 years. After dominating the music industry for 8 years, Rajesh Roshan did face a low wherein the Bappi Lehiri’s disco music had become the talk of the town. The period from 1982 to 1989 is considered the worst phase of Hindi Cinema Music, and even Rajesh Roshan had to face a burn for this. Though there were a couple of successful music scores by him in the form of Jaag Utha Insan and Khoon Bhari Mang, it was far away from the hysteria created by him in the 70’s and early 80’s. Rajesh Roshan often believed in keeping things simple – be it the melodies or the lyrics. Complexities in music as well as lyrics is something that he never attempted, which is the reason why his music is relevant even today.