A landmark biography by Amborish Roychoudhury, with Raj Khosla’s daughters Anita and Uma, unveils the genius, music, and humanity of a director who reshaped Hindi cinema forever. The #Newsdesk reports…

Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography is a richly detailed, first-of-its-kind exploration of the life and legacy of one of Hindi cinema’s most influential filmmakers. Written by award-winning author Amborish Roychoudhury, in collaboration with Anita Khosla and Uma Khosla Kapur, the biography offers rare insights into Khosla’s creative process, personal struggles, and unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema. Featuring exclusive interviews with legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Waheeda Rehman, and Mahesh Bhatt, the book blends narrative depth with technological innovation through QR codes that instantly transport readers to iconic film sequences. Published by Hachette India and launching on 20 May 2025, just ahead of Khosla’s 100th birth anniversary, this definitive work is a must-read for film lovers, music aficionados, and cultural historians. The Film Heritage Foundation will also mark the occasion with a screening of Khosla’s classics at Regal Cinema, Mumbai, on 31 May 2025. 

THE DAILY EYE #NEWSDESK | SPECIAL REPORT

As the centenary of master filmmaker Raj Khosla approaches on 31 May 2025, Hachette India is set to release a landmark tribute: Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography, penned by Amborish Roychoudhury in collaboration with Anita Khosla and Uma Khosla Kapur. Slated for an all-India release on 20 May 2025, this definitive biography delves deep into the life, films, and timeless music of one of Hindi cinema’s most versatile and overlooked auteurs.

The book doesn’t merely document a prolific career—it restores Khosla’s rightful place in cinematic history. For the first time, audiences will encounter an intimate, multidimensional portrait of the man behind enduring classics like C.I.D., Woh Kaun Thi?, Do Raaste, Do Badan, and Dostana. In an innovative twist, readers can scan embedded QR codes to instantly revisit Khosla’s iconic musical sequences, evoking waves of nostalgia through melodies like Lag Ja Gale, Jaane Kya Baat Hai, and Jhumka Gira Re.

“This book took me four years,” says Amborish Roychoudhury, author of In a Cult of Their Own and Sridevi: The South Years. “But it’s worth every minute. What captivated me most wasn’t just his personal story, but the sheer brilliance of his filmography. How could one man craft such a range—from suspense to romance to family drama—and weave unforgettable music into each narrative?” Roychoudhury adds, “Raj Khosla’s daughters, Anita and Uma, were instrumental. This biography is as much theirs as it is mine.”

The biography is rich with previously unheard anecdotes and heartfelt testimonies from industry legends. Legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar, who granted one of her last interviews for the project, and Asha Bhosle, who discussed Khosla’s intuitive musical sensibilities, join voices with stars like Waheeda Rehman, Mumtaz, Asha Parekh, Sharmila Tagore, Dharmendra, Manoj Kumar, Prem Chopra, Bindu, Aamir Khan, and Mahesh Bhatt.

In a stirring foreword, Mahesh Bhatt reflects, “Raj Sahab was a magician, a creator of light and shadow... a man no biography could fully capture. But I salute Amborish for the audacity to try—giving him his rightful place among the greats. He deserves nothing less.”

Khosla’s daughters, both deeply involved in preserving their father’s legacy, add personal layers to the book. Anita Khosla, a media graduate and former film journalist, now runs Raj Khosla Films from Gurugram. Uma Khosla Kapur, based in Kolkata, is a director at the company and a devoted music lover like her father.

The cinematic celebration continues beyond the pages. On 31 May, Mumbai’s Regal Cinema will host a curated retrospective of Khosla’s classics, organised by the Film Heritage Foundation, where the biography will also be launched.

From his humble beginnings—arriving on the film scene as Guru Dutt’s assistant, hiding his limited Hindi with bravado—to becoming one of Indian cinema’s most inventive storytellers, Raj Khosla’s journey is as dramatic as any of his films. An aspiring playback singer who turned filmmaker by fate, he crafted films that blended music, narrative, and emotion like no other.

Roychoudhury’s biography does more than chronicle—it revives. Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography is a gift for cinephiles and a corrective to the historical neglect of a man who helped shape Bollywood’s golden age. His story, as this book proves, is not just relevant—it is essential.