The Roshans Docu-series: Discovering a Film Family’s Story.Filmygod

The Netflix documentary “The Roshans” attempts to shine a light on the legacy of a prominent film family in India, but it falls short in several areas that could have made it a more engaging watch. Overall, it feels like an early draft that lacks the polish needed to truly captivate its audience.

One of the main issues with the documentary is its writing and editing. The absence of punctuation makes it difficult for viewers to digest the information presented. It feels like the documentary is throwing everything at you without giving you a chance to process it. For example, when Rakesh Roshan shares his struggles as an actor, we already know that he has transitioned into a successful director. His journey is inspiring, but when his son Hrithik reiterates the same point with a simple line about how failures lead to success, it feels redundant. Instead of adding depth to the narrative, it simply restates what we already understand.

The documentary aims to celebrate the Roshans—Rakesh, Rajesh, and Hrithik—but it often gets bogged down in repetition. Speakers frequently echo each other’s sentiments about the family’s creative talents and their long-standing legacy in the film industry. This repetitive structure makes the documentary feel longer than it actually is. For instance, one person highlights Rakesh’s brilliance, and almost immediately, another speaker echoes that sentiment. While it’s clear that the Roshans are a talented family, the constant reiteration detracts from the impact of their achievements.

Another aspect that weakens the documentary is the use of clichés. At times, the descriptions of the Roshans feel overly simplistic. For example, when someone describes Rajesh Roshan as a “very creative person,” it seems obvious, especially given his successful career as a music director. The audience is left wanting more insight into what makes him unique rather than hearing generic praise. Similarly, when Hrithik is referred to as a “Greek god,” it feels like a tired phrase that doesn’t add any real value to the discussion about his talent and charisma.

Despite its flaws, the documentary does show the passion and dedication that the Roshans have for their craft. You can sense the love and admiration the family members have for one another, which is heartwarming. However, this emotional connection is often overshadowed by the documentary’s shortcomings. The film could have benefited from a more focused narrative that dives deeper into specific moments in their careers or personal lives that shaped who they are today.

The documentary also misses the opportunity to explore the challenges the Roshans faced in the industry. While it touches on Rakesh’s early struggles, it doesn’t delve deeply into the obstacles that Rajesh and Hrithik encountered. Every successful career is marked by difficulties, and exploring these challenges could have added depth to the narrative. It would have been interesting to hear more about how they overcame setbacks and what lessons they learned along the way.

In terms of production, the documentary could have used a more dynamic editing style. The pacing feels slow, and the visual presentation lacks variety. A documentary about a film family should engage viewers visually, but the repetitive talking-head format can become monotonous. Incorporating more behind-the-scenes footage, clips from their films, or even candid moments from their lives could have made the documentary more visually appealing and engaging.

In conclusion, “The Roshans” has the potential to be a captivating exploration of a remarkable film family, but it ultimately falls short due to its writing and editing choices. The lack of punctuation and repetitive structure detracts from the story, while clichés and generic praise make it feel unoriginal. While the passion of the Roshans shines through, the documentary would benefit from a more focused narrative that explores their challenges and achievements in greater depth. With some refinement, this documentary could have been a heartfelt tribute to a family that has made a significant impact on the Indian film industry.