Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 4, 2019)

On January 14, 2000, Hrithik Roshan exploded on the screen in the romantic thriller Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, which was directed by his father Rakesh Roshan and featured him in a double role. Two decades on, we will see the advent of another Roshan in showbiz. Buzz is, Pashmina, Hrithik’s uncle composer Rajesh Roshan’s daughter, is in talks with top banners and could be making her Bollywood debut in 2020.

“The new star kid has the face of an 18 year old and the mind of a 40 year old while she will actually turn 24 on November 10,” a source told Mirror. Pashmina, who has an elder sibling Eshaan, will be the third generation of the Roshan family to step into show business, after her music director-grandfather Roshan, her composer-father Rajesh, actor-filmmaker-uncle Rakesh, and actorcousin Hrithik. However, contrary to rumours, she will not be launched by her uncle but will be introduced by an established production house.

“Pashmina has a strong theatre background and has done a six-month course from Barry John’s acting school in Mumbai. She has also trained with theatre-actor Abhishek Pandey, actress-director and recipient of the Sahitya Natak Akademi Award, Nadira Babbar, and American playwright Jeff Goldberg,” informed the source.

In March this year, Pashmina made her stage debut with the Indianised adaptation of the Oscar Wilde play, The Importance Of Being Earnest, produced and directed by Goldberg with whom she has trained for nine months. First among her many cheerleaders was her proud big brother. Calling her the “prettiest Roshan”, Hrithik announced that he couldn’t wait to see her on screen. Pashmina played one of the protagonists, Cecily Cardew. Wilde, in the play, repeatedly mocks Victorian traditions and social customs, marriage and the pursuit of love in particular. A 2002 British-American film based on the play had featured Judi Dench, Rupert Everett and Reese Witherspoon.

For Hrithik, Pashmina is family and a dear younger sister. He celebrates Raksha Bandhan with her. She was there at his father’s birthday last September and at his son Hrehaan’s birthday this May. Says the source, “Hrithik’s really excited and has been personally guiding and mentoring Pashmina.”