Bollywood Icon Hrithik Roshan Joins Filmmaker in Decrying ‘Stardom Over Cinema’ Obsession
Mumbai, India – In a significant cultural commentary, acclaimed Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has publicly endorsed filmmaker Pratim D Gupta’s recent critique on the pervasive audience obsession with stardom over the true artistry of cinema in India. Roshan’s agreement highlights a growing concern within the industry about the misplaced focus on celebrity culture.
The debate ignited following Gupta’s detailed Instagram post, where he drew a stark comparison between the public’s reception of stars and cinematic craftsmen. He observed that the presence of actors Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi during a film shoot in Kolkata garnered significantly more attention than the return of legendary director Mani Ratnam to the city, or his collaboration with three-time National Award-winning cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay.
Pratim D Gupta’s Unflinching Take on Cinema and Stardom
In his impassioned post, Pratim D Gupta lamented what he termed the “heartbreaking” way cinema is often celebrated in India. He pointed out the irony of Mani Ratnam, one of India’s most revered directors, returning to Kolkata for a shoot after his iconic film ‘Yuva’, yet remaining largely unnoticed by the masses. The spotlight, instead, illuminated the star power of Sethupathi and Pallavi.
Gupta further highlighted the overlooked significance of Avik Mukhopadhyay, a cinematographer of immense repute, venturing into Tamil cinema for the first time. “Perhaps this is not just a media problem. Perhaps it is a cultural problem,” Gupta wrote, reflecting on a societal hierarchy where “being seen has become more important than having made something.”
“A star walks into a restaurant, and it becomes news. A great filmmaker walks into a city and we barely notice. A star waves from a car and thousands of people gather. A cinematographer creates an image that stays in our heads for twenty years, and most people don’t even know his name.”
He concluded with a powerful statement: “Cinema is bigger than stardom. And if we don’t learn to celebrate the people who make cinema, we will eventually reduce cinema itself to celebrity spotting.”
Hrithik Roshan’s Resounding Agreement
Hrithik Roshan, a superstar himself, resonated deeply with Gupta’s observations. Commenting on the post, he unequivocally stated, “Cinema is bigger than stardom. Well said. Unfortunately, we have a very superficial understanding of cinema here in India.”
Roshan further articulated that a significant portion of the audience tends to conflate a star’s on-screen persona with their real identity, a perception he likened to “how kids believe.” He stressed the immaturity of this perspective, adding, “Somehow we haven’t grown up to understand where the actual art lies.”
“I hope more people discuss this,” Roshan continued, urging a broader conversation. “And start getting fascinated by all the other perhaps even more important aspects of filmmaking.”
About Pratim Gupta and Hrithik Roshan
Pratim D Gupta, who transitioned from journalism to filmmaking, made his directorial debut with ‘Paanch Adhyay’ in 2012. His filmography includes notable Bengali films such as ‘X: Past Is Present’, ‘Shaheb Bibi Golaam’, and ‘Maacher Jhol’, with ‘Ranna Baati’ (2025) being his next anticipated project.
Hrithik Roshan, a veteran of Indian cinema, was last seen in a cameo in ‘Alpha’ and played a pivotal role in ‘War 2’. Fans eagerly await his next directorial venture, ‘Krrish 4’, in which he will also star.
The combined voices of Pratim D Gupta and Hrithik Roshan underscore a critical need for a paradigm shift in how Indian cinema is perceived and celebrated, moving beyond mere celebrity worship towards a deeper appreciation of the collaborative artistry involved.
