Of course.
Salman is the last to achieve demigod status in India amongst actors. And, Hrithik is the last superstar.
Since HR, there's hasn't been a superstar. The likes of Ranveer, Ranbir, Varun, and Tiger don't have an all-India appeal, nor this superstar aura. Tiger's strength is the masses, but masses alone cannot propel you to that level.
With Salman showing a decline, not in terms of stardom per se but his age and choice of films, HR is the only one left amongst the true superstars.
No matter how many articles BOI writes boosting Akshay and calling him a huge star, Akshay has this "gareebo ka superstar" vibes about him. He's changed his image from "sasta Salman" over the past 6-7 years since doing Special 26/OMG. But he doesn't have that oomph and charisma. Plus, Akshay is at this stage where the masses won't lose their shit over him as they could over HR.
HR now needs to be strategic. He had the chance to be #1 after Dhoom 2 but he took a long-ass break. Now, he needs to cash in on War by doing massy movies. Satte Pe Satta is going to be a craze even if it's half-decent. If HR can do one movie a year like Salman, he's soon going to overtake Salman by 2021.
15