Source: Showtime
Two actors who have given a new definition to the word ‘star’. Two heroes who have rewritten film history in recent times. Two superstars who draw the line between the men and the boys. Hrithik Roshan and Vivek Oberoi. So different, and yet so similar.
No, this is not about who is bigger and better. This is only about what’s the big difference between them.
A look at their similarities first. Primarily, both are star-sons. Hrithik, the beta of famous actor-turned-producer-director, Rakesh Roshan. Vivek, the laadla of actor Suresh Oberoi. Incidently, neither Rakesh Roshan nor Suresh Oberoi made it to the hit list of the top ten in their time.
Both Hrithik and Vivek gave power-packed performances in their very first film (Kaho Naa..Pyaar Hai and Company). Also, both their films were unconventional launch pads for them. Neither played the boy-next-door who falls in love with the girl-next-door in their debut films. While Hrithik played a dual role in Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai, Vivek played an underworld don in Company.
Both earned and enjoyed commercial success and critical acclaim in their debut films. Hrithik Roshan became the only actor to be touted as the ‘Phenomenon’ (after Rajesh Khanna) and Vivvek earned the distinction of a star-actor.
As actors, both are considered sincere, committed, responsible. Both are hardworking. Both consider integrity to their profession as an absolute prerequisite.
That’s where the similarities end.
The differences? Listed below:
While Hrithik’s insecurity made him opt for some very wrong films, Vivek did the slow-and-steady. He did not let the market trends or forces dictate to him his plan of action..
A cuss word, insecurity got the better of Hrithik. It got him walking down the wrong path. In spite of his talent and ability for hardwork, he believed he didn’t have it in him to make it so big. So, he signed up a spate of films before KNPH released that unfortunately went against him at a time when it mattered the most – post a super-duper hit KNPH – when all eyes and hopes were pinned on him.
He signed some wrong films for some very wrong reasons. Mission Kashmir? Because he couldn’t refuse a Vidhu Vinod Chopra film. Yaadein? Because Subhash Ghai is the Showman. A film with him would mean terrific exposure, so what if the scriot was not ready? Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage? Because producer Mohan Kumar is family. Mujhse Dosti Karoge? Because it was a Yash Chopra banner and the banner always gives hits. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham? Because it was a Karan Johar film and doing the film would mean it would be his good fortune to work with greats like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. All wrong reasons!
Vikram Bhatt, director, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage defends Hrithik, “Well, so what if there was insecurity? Everybody in this competitive world is insecure. I am. The world says, do a Subhash Ghai film, it will be a hit. The world says, trust Karan Johar, so how was Hrithik any different? Besides, Hrithik had those offers. Within those, he had to make his choice as a businessman and as a creative person. He couldn’t possibly sit at home because the ideal script wasn’t forthcoming.” Point.
Vivek Oberoi, on the other hand, was the epitome of confidence. Company strengthened that confidence further. Also, Vivek never signed films indiscriminately. He did Road because it was a different genre altogether. Saathiya because it was a solo her, romantic role in a South remake. Shaad Ali, director of Saathiya states, “The important thing for an actor, apart from confidence, is the ability to loose oneself in front of the camera. A confident person like Vivek can do that.”
Vivek even has the guts and confidence to not say ‘Yes’ when he wants to say ‘No’. he refused Ram Gopal Varma’s Jungle because the role (which eventually went to Himanshu Malik) wasn’t substantial enough. Ditto with Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Munnabhai MBBS. Vivek refused the offer because a water-tight script wasn’t forthcoming. Shaad Ali believes that it is never too early to ask any director for bound scripts. He says. “Vivek has learnt from the mistakes of others. Signing sprees have never guaranteed success.”
Comparisons (with Shah Rukh Khan et al) became the death of Hrithik; Vivek’s lucky, in that, he is compared only to himself.
Phenomenal success in KNPH brought in a rush of comparisons. Hrithik was compared to everybody from the phenomenal Rajesh Khanna to the eclectic Shah Rukh Khan. A section of the media even created a war between Hrithik and SRK (when none existed). That may have heightened Hrithik’s popularity at the time. But, later, it undid him. A sarcastic Vikram Bhatt argues, “People needed a new star. They needed someone to replace an existing star. Bad luck, it backfired on Hrithik.”
Vivek Oberoi, on the other hand, has not been compared to anybody. That has worked in his favour. Luckily for him, it’s been like, ‘Was he as good in Saathiya as he was in Company?’ “That’s because Vivek has done the right films, with the right directors who have used him differently. Vivek has never become bigger than the film he has acted in,” Shaad reasons.
Personally, Hrithik is committed to the love of his life, wife Suzanne. While Vivek, after his much-discussed split with girlfriend Gurpreet, is single again. And with his mounting popularity among the fair sex, that may just give him the added edge.
Being single in the movie business has its advantages in some cases. We’ve had examples of matrimony limiting a star’s mass appeal earlier in the industry, the biggest of them being Rajesh Khanna. Even when the Hrithik hysteria had gripped the nation, he was still single. And though it certainly isn’t the reason for his subsequent downfall, there’s no denying that the Hrithik magic had diminished to a large extent post his marriage. Sure there were those rumours of a romantic alliance with Kareena Kapoor but the actor put an end to them when he stopped signing movies with the young actress.
The huge advantage that Vivek has in his favour is undoubtedly his singlehood. And now, with his love-life getting spicier by the day, he’s becoming a more exciting star to reckon with first there were those reports about his secret affair with Aishwarya Rai and now, it’s Rani Mukherjee that he’s been linked with. Vivek has even confessed his ‘love’ to her in print. For young girls, who form the majority chunk among Vivek’s unprecedented fan following, Vivek’s colourful romances make him a more thrilling persona.
There in lies the difference.The BIG difference.