New Delhi: Actor-director-producer Rakesh Roshan is one of the most influential personalities of Bollwood. He is credited for his amazing contribution to the Hindi film industry. He started his career as an actor with the movie, 'Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani' being his debut movie in the year 1970.
His journey in Bollywood wasn't easy though. In his debut movie, he was a supporting actor and after that he was usually cast in movies which were women oriented like ‘Paraya Dhan' with Hema Malini, ‘Aankh Micholi' with Bharati, ‘Khubsoorat' with Rekha, ‘Kaamchor' with Jaya Prada. But that did not bring his zeal down. His movies like ‘Baawri', ‘Aankhon Aankhon Mein', and ‘Khatta Meetha' are only a few of box office successes he had.
As Rakesh Roshan turns a year older, we bring to you ten facts you probably did not know about him:
1. Rakesh Roshan is the son of legendary music director Roshan. The musical legacy of Roshan is being carried forward by Rakesh's younger brother Rajesh Roshan.
2. He has worked as an assistant director with veterans like H. S. Rawail and Mohan Kumar. Rakesh was always a filmmaker at heart. In the year 1977, he set up his production company Filmkraft and produced movies like, ‘Aap ke Deewane', ‘Kaamchor', ‘Jaag Utha Insaan' and ‘Bhagwan Dada' with other directors.
3. Rakesh Roshan's first huge success as a director came with ‘Kudgarz' in the year 1987. The movie which narrated the story of two friends played by Shatrughan Sinha and Jeetendra was a blockbuster.
4. Filmkraft became Filmkraft Productions (India) Pvt. Ltd. in the year 1999. Rakesh has helmed memorable movies like, ‘Khoon Bhari Maang', ‘Kishan Kanhaiya', ‘King Uncle', ‘Karan Arjun', ‘Koyla', ‘Kaho Naa… Pyar Hai', ‘Koi... Mil Gaya' and ‘Krrish'.
5. All movies directed by him start with the letter ‘K'. His first non ‘K' alphabet starting movie will be "Judai... Matlab Pyaar Hai" which is expected to release in the year 2017.
6. Rakesh shares a very special bond with his son actor Hrithik Roshan. The only time Hrithik got beaten up by his father was when his friends and he were throwing glass bottles on the floor from the terrace.
7. Rakesh Roshan's two best friends are actors Jeetendra and Rishi Kapoor. Their friendship has stood the test of time and the trio, Jeetu, Chintu (Rishi) and Guddu (Rakesh); ensures to take out time for outings, meals and drinks once in a while.
8. Rakesh Roshan was attacked by the Mumbai mafia on January 21, 2000. He had a close save that day and was attacked because he had stonewalled demands from underworld don Ali Budesh. The notorious extortionist wanted a percentage of overseas profit earned from Rakesh's ‘Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai' which was also the debut of his son, Hrithik.
9. His daughter Sunaina Roshan has written a book, 'To Dad With Love' which is based on his life.
10. ‘Kaho Naa.. Pyaar Hai' which was directed by Rakesh Roshan became, the highest grosser of 2000 and entered the Limca Book of Records for the most number of awards won by a Bollywood film.
