Mumbai, Jan. 4 (AP): Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan said movies that flopped early in his career helped ground him and that it is unhealthy for actors to believe the hype that surrounds them, a newspaper reported Thursday.

``I learned not to take labels like superstar seriously,'' Roshan told the Hindustan Times. ``It's very easy to start believing in the persona that's created for you in the media. Once that happens, you are finished.''

Early movies that didn't pass muster with Roshan's fans taught him not to take success for granted, the newspaper cited him as saying.

Roshan played a smooth-talking thief in hit movie ``Dhoom 2'' that was released last month. He also played India's first big screen superhero who glides over water and leaps over buildings in ``Krrish'' _ a huge hit across the country.

One of India's most popular actors, Roshan's debut ``Kaho Na Pyaar Hai'' seven years ago was followed by two flops. He then had a string of successful movies such as ``Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'' and ``Koi Mil Gaya''.