Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan sparked conversation on Saturday morning (3 January) after sharing a series of photographs on Instagram. While the images drew attention, it was his caption that truly set social media abuzz. “I think the 25 per cent Bengali blood inside me has revealed itself like this,” Hrithik wrote, leaving netizens curious about his connection to Bengal.
January has always held special significance in Hrithik Roshan’s life. Born on 10 January 1974, he also made his sensational Bollywood debut in January with ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’. Released on 14 January 2000, the film turned him into an overnight superstar. More than two decades on, and well past the age of fifty, Hrithik’s popularity shows little sign of fading; for many fans, he remains Bollywood’s enduring ‘Greek God’.
What is less widely known is Hrithik’s Bengali heritage. Though born in Mumbai, his family’s cultural roots run deep. While his father, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, is a prominent Bollywood figure, Hrithik’s Bengali lineage comes from his grandmother, Ira Roshan. Born Ira Maitra, she left Kolkata at the age of 20 to work at All India Radio, driven by her passion for music. It was there that she met celebrated music director Roshan Lal Nagrath, whom she later married.
The couple had two sons, Rakesh and Rajesh. Following Roshan Lal’s untimely death, Ira Roshan became the pillar of the family. Known for her discipline and warmth, she was also famed for her cooking, particularly her fish dishes. Hrithik was especially close to his grandmother, who lovingly nicknamed him ‘Duggu’. It is said that her word carried final authority within the family.
Hrithik fondly referred to his grandmother as ‘Thami’. Although he never learned Bengali from her, his emotional connection to Kolkata remains strong. Notably, his first stage performance also took place in the city. Hrithik lost this cherished presence in his life when Ira Roshan passed away on 22 January 2005.
The photographs shared at the start of the new year appear to transport the actor back to those formative memories; of fish and rice, affection, discipline and a heritage that continues to shape him.
