He came from Pakistan, was jobless and homeless. Today, his grandson is a superstar with net worth Rs 3,100 crore

The Roshan family stands among the most admired and influential clans in the Indian entertainment industry. Though modern audiences instantly associate the name with stars like Hrithik Roshan, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, and composer Rajesh Roshan, the origins of this artistic lineage trace back several generations to a visionary musician whose brilliance set the foundation for everything that followed.

Roshan Lal Nagrath: The Visionary Who Started It All

Hrithik Roshan’s grandfather, Roshan Lal Nagrath, was the creative force who shaped the musical identity of the family. Born on July 14, 1917, in Gujranwala—then a part of the Punjab Province under British India—he displayed an early inclination toward melody and rhythm. His fascination with sound pushed him toward formal training, which began in childhood and later deepened at Marris College in Lucknow. There, he honed his craft under Pandit S. N. Ratanjankar, the institute’s principal and an eminent classical scholar.

To expand his artistic range, Roshan trained on the sarod under the legendary Allauddin Khan of Maihar, one of the most respected figures in the Hindustani classical tradition. In 1940, Khawaja Khurshid Anwar of All India Radio, Delhi, recognized Roshan’s talent and hired him as a staff artist specializing in the esraj. After eight years with AIR, Roshan resigned in 1948, determined to carve out a name for himself in the rapidly growing Bombay film industry.

Early Struggles in the Film World

Roshan arrived in Bombay the same year, hoping to establish himself as a film composer. He first assisted Khawaja Khurshid Anwar on the film Singaar (1949). Despite his skill, he faced significant hardships—both financial and personal—during this period. His fortunes shifted when filmmaker Kidar Sharma noticed his perseverance and gave him a break as the music director for Neki Aur Badi (1949), produced by Munshiram Varma and released by Varma Films.

Although the film did not succeed commercially, Sharma offered Roshan another opportunity in his next venture. This second chance paved the way for Baawre Nain (1950), which turned into a major musical triumph and firmly introduced Roshan as a rising composer in Hindi cinema.

Kidar Sharma later recalled how Roshan had been living without steady work or shelter, having lost his All India Radio position after marrying for love. His sincerity and humility deeply moved Sharma, who took it upon himself to help Roshan regain his footing in Bombay.

Establishing Musical Greatness in the 1950s

During the early 1950s, Roshan composed for several films and collaborated with celebrated singers like Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, and Talat Mahmood. His work in productions such as Malhar (1951), Shisham, and Anhonee (1952) displayed a range of moods and musical textures. One of his standout compositions from this era was the devotional piece later popularized by Lata Mangeshkar in Naubahar (1952), which quickly became a nationwide favourite.

A Golden Period in the 1960s

The 1960s marked Roshan’s most celebrated decade. His mastery in fusing folk influences with classical traditions led to some of the era’s most memorable songs. His compositions for Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), including timeless qawwalis and romantic melodies, brought him immense acclaim. The film itself became one of the decade’s biggest hits, largely due to Roshan’s innovative musical direction.

Family Life and Untimely Passing

Roshan married Ira Moitra in 1948, and together they built a home in Bombay. Their sons, Rakesh and Rajesh Roshan, born in 1949 and 1955 respectively, would later carry forward the artistic flame—Rakesh as a filmmaker and Rajesh as a music composer.

Despite his professional accomplishments, Roshan battled chronic heart issues for more than two decades. On November 16, 1967, he suffered a fatal heart attack during a social gathering in Mumbai, passing away at only fifty years of age.

A Legacy Continued Across Generations

Roshan’s artistic spirit lived on through his children and grandchildren. Rakesh Roshan became an acclaimed director and producer, while Rajesh Roshan emerged as a celebrated music composer. His grandson, Hrithik Roshan, rose to extraordinary stardom with films like Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, Dhoom 2, and Jodhaa Akbar, eventually becoming one of India’s highest-earning actors. According to GQ India, Hrithik’s estimated net worth today stands at around ₹3,100 crore—a testament to the enduring legacy built by his grandfather’s passion and perseverance.

The War 2 star doesn’t just rely on films. He earns massively through brand endorsements and also co-founded HRX, a homegrown fitness and activewear brand valued at about ₹200 crore. HRX has become a major player in India’s sportswear space with apparel, footwear, and fitness gear. He further invests in fast-growing wellness start-ups and runs a production house founded by his father Rakesh Roshan. His wealth also shows in his properties, including a ₹100 crore Juhu home and a ₹33 crore Lonavala farmhouse..

Hrithik Roshan was last seen in the action drama 'War 2'. The movie also marked the Bollywood debut of Telugugu superstar Jr NTR (best known to the Hindi speaking audience for the Rajamouli directed epic RRR). The movie also featured Kiara Advani opposite Roshan.

War 2 hit theatres on 14 August 2025, strategically timed with the Independence Day long weekend in India. Upon release, the movie generated a largely disappointing response from reviewers, who pointed out weaknesses in its plot, writing, direction, and computer-generated imagery. However, most critics agreed that the performances delivered by the actors and the high-energy action segments were the film’s strongest elements.

Despite its massive hype, the movie’s commercial performance fell short of expectations, earning an estimated worldwide total between ₹303 crore and ₹351 crore. Even with the underwhelming box-office outcome, the film still managed to secure a spot among the year’s top earners, ranking as the third biggest Hindi hit of 2025 and the fifth highest-grossing Indian production overall for that year.