Hrithik Roshan has always believed in working hard and staying happy. In an old interview with Film Companion, the Fighter actor opened up about why he doesn’t consider himself ambitious. “What is ambition? Ambition is to be number one, to make the most money, and be the most famous? What could ambition be? Biggest house? I am not ambitious,” Roshan, 51, said.
He shared that while “ambition is good to an extent,” it cannot be equated with happiness. “Your money and fame may increase but happiness will stay there only. So, you have to, at some point, realise I want more of what I have got in making me happy. Work hard, guys! The one thing that hard work gets you is choice. Having choice in your life is a blessing,” said Roshan.
Hard work matters (Photo: Freepik)Taking a cue from his admission, let’s understand why ambition is not equal to happiness.
Unchecked ambition takes a significant mental toll, believes Dr Chandni Tugnait, MD (A.M) psychotherapist, coach and healer, founder and director, Gateway of Healing. “It generates chronic stress, diminishes personal relationships, and creates a persistent state of future-oriented anxiety. Celebrated actors like Hrithik Roshan have eloquently challenged this conventional narrative of success, suggesting that true fulfillment lies beyond the relentless pursuit of ambitions. His perspective illuminates a profound truth: ambition, when unchecked, can become a trap that distances individuals from authentic joy,” said Dr Tugnait.
True happiness emerges not from conquering external benchmarks, but from cultivating inner harmony. According to Dr Tugnait, this requires a shift from achievement-oriented living to presence-based experiencing. “It means developing the capacity to find joy in the process, appreciate personal growth, and maintain emotional equilibrium regardless of professional outcomes. The societal narrative that equates success with material wealth and status fundamentally misunderstands the nature of human happiness,” expressed Dr Tugnait.
Ambition, when tempered with mindfulness, becomes a tool for growth rather than a barrier to happiness. According to Dr Tugnait, the most profound success lies not in continuous achievement, but in creating a life rich with meaningful experiences, genuine connections, and internal peace.
