A novel method for improving the adhesion of diamond films on cemented carbide tool inserts has been investigated. This method is based on the formation of a compositionally graded interface by developing a microrough surface structure using a pulsed laser process. Residual stresses of diamond films deposited on laser modified cemented carbides were measured as a function of substrate roughness using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The surface morphology and roughness of diamond films and cemented carbides were also investigated at different laser modification conditions. It was found that the increasing interface roughness reduced the average residual stress of diamond films, resulting in improved adhesion of diamond films on cemented carbides.