u/No_Coyote1802

Are you all frustrated with Hrithik?

Please engage with your feelings.

In today's media landscape, it is not uncommon to encounter a barrage of persuasive PR articles and campaigns that quickly anoint emerging stars or recent stars with huge box-office success with titles such as "Superstar" or "Megastar." This aggressive PR strategy aims to shape public perception by asserting an artist's elevated status. However, how can one critically evaluate and counter such forceful narratives with concrete evidence and data? It is essential to discern the authentic benchmarks that define a bona fide superstar or megastar.

In the music industry, indicators such as a sustained record of chart-topping hits and impressive concert statistics such as record-breaking attendance and inflation-adjusted record-breaking ticket price can be considered as reliable measures of an artist's widespread and enduring appeal across diverse demographics. These metrics provide a clear validation of a celebrity’s influence and legacy over time. Chris Martin, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran etc. are great examples. You know an artist is big when they keep putting out hit after hit and their concerts are packed. We're talking crazy attendance and tickets that cost a fortune but people still buy them. That shows they really connect with tons of different fans and that their popularity isn't just a flash in the pan. It proves they've got real influence and that they'll be remembered.

Conversely, establishing Megastar/Superstar status within the film industry, particularly in Bollywood, poses a more complex challenge for the average observer due to the potent influence of media-driven PR campaigns. These campaigns can significantly sway public opinion, making it imperative to identify tangible and data-backed criteria that objectively quantify stardom.

By examining key factors over the past 25 to 30 years, we can delineate measurable parameters that portray the genuine status of a Bollywood superstar or megastar. Let us explore these criteria to garner a data-supported understanding, thereby moving beyond the confines of orchestrated media narratives.

Who is a Megastar/Superstar? In my honest opinion, Big legendary stars are known and recognised by people across different countries and cultures, not just within a single region or age group. If we talk about the last 25-30 years of Bollywood Film Industry only 7 names can be considered and they are 3 Khans, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgan and Sunny Deol. I think only these 7 people made such a indelible mark among the contemporary legends that it won't be unbelievable to hear stories about crazy fan following even in a remote village of India or another part of a different country.

Someone can easily dismiss my explanation by pointing out recent obsessions like 1000 crore/ 2000 crore domestic business, $20 milllon overseas successes etc. However, it will be hard to deny superstardom is a result of multiple critical factors and they can be something like the following:

• Commercial Success
• Longevity/Consistency
• Iconic Image/Aura/Persona
• Cross-demographic/Cross-cultural appeal
• Critical Acclaim/Global Awards
• Widespread acclaim by stage presence (not social media influence)

Commercial Success-

I will delve into Commercial success of the 7 legendary stars here. If you like the post, I will gather examples on other factors.

A movie’s financial success depends on many factors—content, timing, cast, budget, studios, technical quality, and market access—but a superstar or megastar is crucial in driving blockbuster results, benefiting studios and the broader film industry. The marketability of top stars can be measured by footfalls, blockbuster and success ratios, highest domestic grosser of the year (yielding higher margins than overseas), and bumper openings, all of which significantly boost financial prospects. (I won’t cite specific box office figures, as these vary greatly across eras due to inflation and theatre coverage)

Star	Total Films	Footfall (per film)	Bumper Opener	Blockbuster	HDG	Success Ratio
SRK	62	1.34 crore	18 (29%)	14(22.6%)	4(6.5%)	44(71%)
SK	81	1.29 crore	14 (17.3%)	13(16%)	5(6.2%)	40(49.4%)
Aamir	44	1.49 crore	9(20.5%)	9(20.5%)	6(13.6%)	24(54.5%)
Sunny Deol	89	0.85 crore	12(13.5%	7(7.9%)	3(3.3%)	27(30.3%)
Akshay	129	0.8 crore	6 (4.65%)	2(1.5%)	0%	55(43%)
Ajay	104	0.78 crore	5(4.8%)	5(4.8%)	1(1%)	44(42.3%)
Hrithik	26	1.26 crore*	7 (27%)	6(23.07%)	4(15.4%)	15(58%)

Source: https://boxofficeindiarecords.blogspot.com/2016/06/shahrukh-khan-actor-filmography.html

* Footfall data taken from https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/top-celebs-footfalls-actors/ (Only Hrithik's data is correct, as for other actors films with lowest footfalls aren't recorded here and it's difficult to gather accurate data)

The '90s saw the 3 Khans—Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan—alongside Sunny Deol, attain remarkable commercial success by leading several blockbusters, including some of the highest domestic grossers of all time. Between 2010 and 2017, Salman Khan experienced an exceptionally successful period that propelled his stardom to new heights, dominating mass circuits with numerous all-time great blockbusters. In the 2000s, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan were in stiff competition for delivering blockbusters and securing the titles of highest-grossing films. This intense rivalry shifted between Aamir Khan and Salman Khan from 2009 to 2018, as Shah Rukh and Hrithik experienced a decline in momentum. However, in 2023, Shah Rukh Khan demonstrated his remarkable stardom by delivering back-to-back, unprecedented record-breaking blockbusters, reaffirming his status as the titan of the Bollywood box office.

Akshay and Ajay deserves commendable respect for delivering box office successes year in year out, which propelled the film ecosystem to run like well-oiled machine.

A special mention goes to our favourite Hrithik Roshan (not being biased as a fan), whose commercial success is often underestimated due to his infrequent releases. Among all the superstars, he boasts the highest percentage of blockbusters and top domestic grossers, even when excluding "Koi Mil Gaya," whose blockbuster status was later revised by Box Office India. Hrithik's momentum was disrupted in several occasions throughout his career due to the sporadic release of major spectacles. Despite, so many highs and lows his footfall per film data will be the best among all the legends.

Apologies for boring you to death by such a long essay. If you like the post, I will deep dive into further aspects to analyse Hrithik and other contemporary legends.