India, June 4 -- Over the last three decades, Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan have been two of the most consistent and bankable superstars of Hindi cinema. They have starred in some of the biggest hits in Bollywood history, from Kaho Na Pyaar Hai and Krrish to 3 Idiots and PK. So it makes for quite an absurd comparison when one learns that their lifetime collection of hit films is less than what one actor managed in a single calendar year, and that too, all in lead roles. This unthinkable feat was achieved by a superstar nearly four decades ago, and he is still going strong today.

In the 1980s, Malayalam cinema was going through a period of change. After Prem Nazir had retreated to doing very few films, the trio of Soman, Jayan, and Sukuma...