Don't pit Kangana's success against Hrithik's career

It is sometimes surprising how we all have to be reminded of the obvious. But the reassuring part is that more often than not, it's a worthwhile exercise.

In this entire episode of debate and propaganda over Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut, I have read countless number of times how successful she is, which she is. But it's time that we did a refreshment course on Hrithik.

Hrithik Roshan is the last pan Indian superstar we have. In 2000, he came and his stardom travelled from the hills of Manali to Raisina Hills (that is where Rashtrapati Bhavan is located) and beyond. After that no pan-Indian star has emerged out of Bollywood, everyone who followed him has had limited appeal. No one who has debuted after him has seamless appeal across multiplexes and single screens, across metros and small towns.

His last four films are Bang Bang, Krissh 3 and Agneepath and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The all-India net collections of Bang Bang is Rs 150 crore, Krrish 3 Rs 185 crore and  Agneepath Rs 130 crore and ZNMD is one of the most influential films of our decade.

If you ever were confused what Hrithik brings on table just see the title song of Bang Bang again. Yes he is an absolute entertainer. His screen presence is unmatched. The best dancer we have had ever and yes he is your quintessential commercial superstar who is a good actor.

If India were to ever make a Ramayan or Mahabharata that is budgeted at 350 crores the first male casting option that would come into the minds of projects heads would be Hrithik Roshan. If ever we could find an Indian answer to James Bond, he again would be the go-to guy. You could find faults in the movie Bang Bang, but Hrithik gave you your money's worth.

He hasn't made those perceptional moves. He could have actually done a lot more with his film choices. But these are the only factors why he isn't the number one movie star of India. Frankly he belongs there. He is the only star apart from the Khans who is consistently delivering Rs 20 crore plus openings. And he is a good ten years younger than them.

Yes, he hasn't had to struggle as much or as bitterly as others have had to. Yes, he hasn't been in abusive relationships to support himself financially in the big city of Mumbai. But make no mistake, any sustained success has to have a element of struggle in it. It's just that every individual's struggle has to be different. Hrithik has a lineage but his lineage is not the reason why he is what he is.

It would be highly immature to compare the "success" of Kangana to that of Hrithik or his struggle with hers. It's unfortunate that this conflict of facts and a legal case has started playing out more as an election contest where we are choosing favourites based on a narrative that enhances stereotypes.