You’ve probably seen the posters. Hrithik Roshan, skin several shades darker than usual, looking rugged and standing in the pouring rain with a group of cheering students. It’s a striking image. But the movie on Super 30 is way more than just a typical Bollywood makeover story. It is a messy, inspiring, and occasionally controversial look at the cutthroat world of Indian education. Honestly, it’s one of those films that makes you want to cheer and argue at the same time.
The film, which hit theaters in July 2019, tells the life story of Anand Kumar. If you aren't familiar with him, he’s a math wizard from Patna, Bihar. He didn't just teach math; he started a program called Super 30. Every year, he’d pick 30 incredibly bright kids from families who couldn't afford a square meal, let alone coaching fees, and train them to crack the IIT-JEE. That is basically the Mount Everest of exams in India.
The Real Anand Kumar vs. The Reel Version
Vikas Bahl directed this one, and he took some creative liberties. That's just how cinema works, right? In the movie, we see Anand’s father, a postal department employee played by Virendra Saxena, pass away from a heart attack just as Anand gets into Cambridge University. It’s heart-wrenching. Because they have no money, Anand ends up selling papads on the street.
Is it all true?
Mostly, yeah. The real Anand Kumar really did secure a seat at Cambridge and really couldn't go because of a lack of funds. The movie captures that "so close yet so far" agony perfectly. However, the film turns into a bit of an action-thriller toward the end. There’s this whole subplot involving a corrupt minister (Pankaj Tripathi, who is brilliant as usual) and a rival coaching center owner named Lallan Singh. They literally try to kill Anand and his students.
In reality, while Anand has faced significant threats and smear campaigns from the "coaching mafia" in Bihar, the climax where the students use "physics-based traps" to fight off armed goons is definitely a "Bollywood-ized" addition. It’s a bit over-the-top. But it drives home the point: education is a war for the poor.
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Why Hrithik Roshan’s Performance Divided People
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The bronzer.
When the trailer for the movie on Super 30 first dropped, the internet went into a frenzy over Hrithik’s darkened skin and his Bihari accent. People called it "brownface." They wondered why the producers didn't just cast an actor who actually looks like Anand Kumar. It's a fair point.
But once you actually sit down and watch the film, something weird happens. You stop seeing the movie star. Hrithik captures the spirit of a man who is obsessed with numbers. His body language—the way he stumbles over his words when he's excited or how his eyes light up when a kid finally understands a complex theorem—is top-tier.
The movie also gave us Mrunal Thakur in her first big mainstream role. She plays Supriya, Anand’s love interest. While her role is a bit thin, she provides the emotional weight needed to show what Anand sacrificed to stay in Patna and teach those kids.
The "Super 30" Success Rate and the Drama
The film says that in one year, all 30 students cleared the IIT-JEE.
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That actually happened! In 2008, 2009, 2010, and again in 2017, the program saw a 100% success rate. It’s an insane statistic when you consider that millions of kids with expensive tutors fail this exam every year.
However, the film doesn't really mention Abhayanand, the IPS officer who co-founded the program with Anand in 2002. They eventually had a falling out and went their separate ways. Some critics felt the movie focused too much on a "one-man-army" narrative, ignoring the collaborative effort that actually built the foundation of Super 30.
Also, right before the movie came out, there were some heavy allegations. Some former students and rival teachers claimed that the success numbers were inflated or that Anand was taking kids from other institutes and claiming them as his own. The filmmakers actually pivoted. They stopped calling it a "biopic" in the marketing and started calling it "inspired by true events" to avoid legal headaches.
Does it still hold up?
Absolutely.
Despite the controversies and the dramatic flourishes, the core message of the movie on Super 30 is still relevant in 2026. The gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" in education is still huge.
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The film highlights a very real psychological barrier: the "English" barrier. There’s a scene where the students feel inferior because they can't speak English like the rich kids at the competing coaching centers. Anand tells them, "Ab raja ka beta raja nahi banega... raja wahi banega jo haqdaar hoga" (A king’s son won't be king... only the deserving will). It’s a line that still gives people goosebumps.
Making Sense of the Box Office
The movie was a certified hit. It made over ₹200 crore worldwide. People clearly connected with the underdog story. It even got tax-free status in several Indian states like Bihar, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
If you're looking for a perfect documentary, this isn't it. If you want a film that celebrates the power of a teacher to change lives, it’s a must-watch.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
- Watch for the nuance: Pay attention to the scene where the kids have to perform a play in English. It’s the most important thematic moment in the film.
- Fact-check as you go: If you’re curious about the real math problems, look up the "Ramanujan School of Mathematics." Anand Kumar is still very active today.
- Context matters: Understand that the movie is a critique of the "Kota" culture—the high-pressure coaching industry in India that often leads to student burnout.
- Streaming: You can usually find the movie on Super 30 on Disney+ Hotstar or similar platforms depending on your region. Check it out if you need a boost of motivation.
The legacy of the film isn't just the box office numbers. It's the fact that it started a national conversation about who gets to go to the best colleges in India and why your bank account shouldn't decide your IQ. It’s a flawed film about a brilliant man, and honestly, that makes it more human.