Born in a garage, he was a flop actor once. Today he's a superhit director with 10 hits. Even delivered a Rs 400 crore blockbuster

Today, this Bollywood director is known as a hit machine. Most of his movies, from ‘Khoon Bhaari Maang’ to ‘ Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai,’ have struck gold at the box office. However, life was not always so smooth sailing for Rakesh Roshan. In his first Bollywood innings, he tried his luck as a hero and failed miserably.

In a candid conversation with Mid-Day, Roshan Sr. revealed that he was born in a garage belonging to the renowned music director Husnlal Bhagatram.

After his father’s death when he was 17, he worked as an assistant director and tried his luck at being a leading man.

An Underwhelming Career As A Leading Man

He made his acting debut in the 1970 flick ‘Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani,’ where he had a supporting role. His first film as a leading man, ‘Seema’ (1971), flopped badly.

Although Rakesh initially attempted to establish himself as a hero, many of his films—including Aankhon Aankhon Mein and Aankh Micholi—ended up as box-office duds. Reflecting on this period, he told Mid Day, “Those films did not take me ahead. Others who worked with me moved ahead in their careers; I was left behind.”

He gradually transitioned back to playing supporting characters. He featured in notable ensemble films such as Khel Khel Mein, Khatta Meetha, Aakhir Kyu?, and Khubsoorat, where his performances found greater appreciation.

The ‘Jinxed’ Stigma

In the documentary ‘The Roshans,’ Rakesh revealed for a time, he was considered “jinxed” by the producers. The 1977 movie ‘Priyatama’ was supposed to be his breakout movie, but he was replaced as leading man unceremoniously by his close friend, actor Jeetendra, as the producers believed he was “jinxed” and the leading lady, Neetu Singh, refused to work with him.

The Turning Point

In 1987, Roshan Sr. decided to transition behind the camera, a gamble that paid off. His directorial venture, ‘Khudgarz,’ became a blockbuster. However, it was not easy getting the film made.

In an old interview with GlamSham, the director reminisced, “The story is about two friends, one a Mumbai-based wealthy man and the other a poor rural guy. The character of the rural guy was initially based in South India. Hence, I had first approached Kamal Haasan and then Rajinikanth, but both declined..."

Finally, he found his man in Shatrughan Sinha.

In an interview with News 18, Roshan’s daughter Sunaina revealed the huge financial risks her father took twice for ‘Khudgarz’ and the 2000 action romance ‘Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai,’ which was the launchpad of his son Hrithik.

“As a producer, he had mortgaged his house twice, and the cars and the office during 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai' and 'Khudgarz.' He gambled with his life a lot, but he was fearless in doing so,” she said.

Subsequent films such as ‘Khoon Bhari Maang,’ ‘Kishen Kanhaiya,’ ‘Khel,’ ‘Karan Arjun,’ and ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’ became major hits. ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’ remains one of the most successful debut films in Bollywood history and made his son Hrithik an overnight superstar.

He made three more films with Hrithik, ‘Koi Mil Gaya,’ ‘Krrish,’ and ‘ Krrish 3,’ all of which emerged as blockbusters. In particular, ‘Krrish 3’ earned almost Rs 400 crore worldwide.