Filmmaker, actor Rakesh Roshan celebrates his birthday today. Born on September 6, 1949 in Mumbai, he is known for his movies like Khoon Bhari Maang, Khudgarz, Karan Arjun, Kaho Na....Pyaar Hai and the Krrish franchise. Bollywood fans who have been following his journey through the years know that life was never a bed of roses for him. Despite his good looks and talent, he did not make it as a big star in Hindi films. He shifted his gears towards filmmaking and saw huge success. Like a true hero, he has defied death even in his personal life. Here's how his life's journey is a textbook in resilience.

Rakesh Roshan Has Lived Life to the Fullest Despite the Low Phases

 

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Financial Struggles Pushed Him To Pursue Filmmaking

Rakesh Roshan who had been struggling after his father Roshan's untimely death did not see much growth as an actor in his career. He was mostly doing side roles in big budget Bollywood movies of the 1970s. There were a few films where he was the leading man but they tanked badly at the box office. In 1980, he became a producer with Filmkraft, and saw a bit of success. But it was his stint as a director that brought him true success. Khudgarz (1987), Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), Karan Arjun (1995) were some of his blockbusters. In between, somewhere in the 1970s-80s, there was a phase when he could not even afford house rent. In 2006, Hrithik Roshan and ex-wife Sussanne Khan spoke about it on Simi Garewal's show. It seems Pinky Roshan left with her kids to her father's house. Later, they moved in as a family when Rakesh Roshan bought a new home. Slowly, they furnished the house as he started to make some money. Rakesh Roshan credits Hrithik Roshan's humility to his roots. He says his son was witness to his father's failures.

Living With Unwavering Self-Belief and Faith

 

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Surviving a Gun Attack

In 2000, Kaho Na...Pyaar Hai set the Indian box office on fire. Hrithik Roshan's debut movie with Ameesha Patel made INR 80 crore at the box office. This made him a target of the underworld. Two assailants fired bullets at him outside his office in Santacruz (West) and fled. While one brushed his arm, the other was stuck in his sternum. He was quickly taken to Nanavati Hospital by the cops where Dr Sharad Pandey (father of Chunky Pandey) operated on him to remove the bullet. Later, Hrithik Roshan said that due to the bullet, doctors found that five of his arteries were blocked. His father had just averted a major heart attack. Hrithik Roshan had told Wild Film India, "That entire phase of Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai is a very memorable time in my life. From the release of the film, to Dad being shot. Even that, eventually, was a blessing in disguise because if he had not been shot, we would have never found out that he had five of his arteries blocked. He would have suffered a massive heart attack in the coming months and we would have not even known."

Sunaina Roshan and Hrithik Roshan Have Dad’s Never-Give-Up Spirit

 

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Battling throat cancer

In 2018, Rakesh Roshan was diagnosed with throat cancer. It was  early stage squamous cell carcinoma that required surgery. The filmmaker said he knew it was cancer even before the test results came out. The blister on his throat was not healing despite medications. Hrithik Roshan had posted a picture of the two with a caption, "Asked my dad for a picture this morning. Knew he wouldn't miss gym on surgery day. He is probably the strongest man I know. Got diagnosed with early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the throat a few weeks ago, but he is in full spirits today as he proceeds to battle it. As a family we are fortunate and blessed to have a leader like him. Love you Dad."

This is not all. As a father, he saw his daughter Sunaina Roshan fight lymphoma of the cervix, one of the rarest forms of cancer. She also developed brain tuberculosis, kidney and obesity issues. However, she too fought her way to good health. Now, she looks in much better shape than ever before.

The whole Roshan family has inherited his fighting spirit in abundance. On this occasions, we wish him good health, success and happiness. Happy Birthday!

 

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 06, 2024 08:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).