When BBC journalist said Rajesh Khanna had ‘the arrogance of Napoleon’: Why some people develop narcissistic tendencies in response to success

Rajesh Khanna is considered one of Bollywood’s most iconic stars. However, it is no secret that many think the reason behind the sharp decline of his stardom was his alleged arrogance. 

A BBC journalist named Jack Pizzey managed to document his first-hand experience of being made to run around in circles trying to get an audience with the late star.

The 1973 documentary ‘Bombay Superstar’ offered unique insights into the life and career of Khanna. It covered his unexpected marriage with Dimple Kapadia and the beginning stages of his decline. Pizzey noted the actor’s extreme arrogance, comparing it to that of Napoleon. He also highlighted the challenges in securing an interview with the actor, with Pizzey having to wait nearly a week for the opportunity.

Pizzey mentioned, “The biggest star of the biggest film industry in the world is probably someone you’ve never heard of. Film stars are adored in India in a way that they haven’t been in the West, since the great days of Hollywood. People in India are film crazy. At least one new film is released here every day, and stars are so well-known, they don’t need their names on the posters.”

As the documentary went on to show the film crew going about their duties, he added, “It’s 10 on a sticky summer morning, and the biggest star should be arriving at this studio. The superstar is Rajesh Khanna. He has the charisma of Rudolph Valentino, the arrogance of Napoleon, and he’s late. There’s nothing the director can do about it. He rewrites, yet again, the lines that his star should be speaking by now. He sweats and waits. Everyone is sweating and getting ready, and waiting.”

Such statements highlight a common phenomenon where individuals, after achieving significant success, may develop narcissistic tendencies. This mindset of self-importance, while often contributing to their public persona, can also have profound consequences on their personal lives and relationships. 

Gurleen Baruah, occupational psychologist and executive coach at That Culture Thing, agrees, “Success can sometimes lead to the development of narcissistic tendencies in individuals, but it’s important to recognise that not everyone who achieves success becomes arrogant or develops these traits. The key psychological factor at play is a lack of humility. For some, success can amplify an underlying sense of inadequacy or insecurity, which might have been present long before they achieved their goals. When these deep-seated insecurities are paired with success, it can create a fragile ego that compensates by becoming overly self-centered or narcissistic.”

Narcissistic individuals often have difficulty coping with failure because their sense of self-worth is heavily tied to success and external validation. (Source: Freepik)

Constant adulation and public praise, and its effects on an individual’s self-perception

Constant adulation and public praise can significantly impact an individual’s self-perception, often leading to an inflated sense of superiority, says Baruah. “When someone is frequently in the limelight and receives excessive praise, they might start to feel like the world revolves around them. This can create a distorted self-image, where they see themselves as bigger and more important than they truly are, sometimes leading to what is known as a ‘god complex’ or a sense of superiority.”

Especially when an individual experiences more success than failure, they can become habituated to winning and the admiration that comes with it. This repeated validation can make them believe they are inherently better than others, fostering arrogance and an ego-centric worldview.

“One of the significant risks of this inflated self-view is the fragility it creates. When someone ties their self-worth to external validation, their sense of self becomes highly unstable. A single failure or a dip in public admiration can lead to a devastating loss of confidence,” Baruah notes. 

Potential long-term consequences

In the professional realm, Baruah states, an inflated ego can damage relationships with colleagues, mentors, and even clients. If an individual becomes overly focused on their own superiority, they may dismiss valuable feedback, alienate team members, and fail to collaborate effectively. This can lead to a breakdown in professional relationships and a loss of crucial support networks.  

She says, “Narcissistic individuals often have difficulty coping with failure because their sense of self-worth is heavily tied to success and external validation. When faced with setbacks, they may struggle to adapt, leading to further professional decline.”

When their inflated self-image is challenged, narcissistic individuals may experience intense rage or aggression. This can manifest as outbursts of anger when things don’t go their way or when they feel criticised.

What to do

To avoid these severe consequences, it’s crucial for individuals to maintain a balanced perspective on success and failure. Here are a few strategies:

Cultivate humility: Recognising that success is often a combination of hard work, opportunity, and the contributions of others can help keep narcissistic tendencies in check.

Build resilience: Developing resilience to cope with failure is essential. Instead of seeing failure as a personal defeat, it should be viewed as a learning opportunity. 

Seek genuine feedback: Surrounding oneself with people who provide honest, constructive feedback is important. This helps prevent the isolation that often accompanies narcissism.

Focus on inner fulfilment: Shifting the focus from external validation to internal fulfilment can reduce the reliance on others’ admiration. 

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