Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ideological moorings have often been debated. But his attributes as a leader are also coming under scrutiny. Detractors will say that his leadership was always an illusion, a virtual trick, designed to hoodwink the gullible. Supporters will be immune to any reality check. But Modi’s actions are demonstrating qualities that are opposite to the mythology surrounding him. There may be an alchemy to power, where mirrors show exactly what a leader wants to see, but the chatter outside the hallowed halls captures reality more presciently. Admittedly, the PM had a big challenge. As Machiavelli said, “It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things.” But his turning into the opposite of his own self-presentation is striking.