Secret Superstar - 2017

In the vast and mesmerising world of Bollywood, where dreams are born and destinies are forged, there exists a film that captures the essence of an extraordinary journey. Secret Superstar is a cinematic masterpiece that unfolds like a symphony of emotions, embracing the power of dreams and the relentless pursuit of one's passion.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Mumbai, the city that weaves dreams and tests the spirits of those who dare to dream, this heartfelt tale unveils the story of Insia Malik, a young and talented girl with an indomitable spirit. The film delves deep into Insia's world, a world hidden from the prying eyes of society, as she battles against the odds to make her mark in the music industry.

Directed with finesse and sensitivity by Advait Chandan, Secret Superstar takes us on an emotional rollercoaster ride, exploring themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and the triumph of the human spirit. Zaira Wasim, in a stellar performance, breathes life into the character of Insia, capturing the essence of her dreams, aspirations, and the challenges she faces along her path to success.

As the film unfolds, we witness Insia's determination to overcome societal barriers, taking refuge in anonymity as she dons a burqa and showcases her immense talent on social media under the name Secret Superstar. Through her soul-stirring music, she finds solace, hope, and a way to express her deepest emotions, touching the hearts of millions.

Table of Contents

• Details
• Plot
• Release
• Reviews
• Cast
• Crew
• Character Analysis
• Songs
• Behind the Scenes
• Controversy
• Box Office Collection
• Awards
• Interesting Facts
• Conclusion
• How to Book a Personalised Celebrity Message from a Star Similar to Actors from Secret Superstar on Tring?

Details

Plot

The plot revolves around Insia Malik, a young and talented girl from a conservative Muslim family in Mumbai. Despite facing numerous obstacles and societal restrictions, Insia dreams of becoming a successful singer.

Insia's passion for music is ignited by her supportive mother, who encourages her to pursue her dreams. However, her abusive and oppressive father becomes a significant roadblock in her path to success.

To overcome these challenges, Insia decides to anonymously upload her singing videos on the internet, disguised in a burqa, under the name Secret Superstar. Her videos go viral, attracting a wide audience and catching the attention of a music director named Shakti Kumar.

Shakti, played by Aamir Khan, becomes Insia's mentor and helps her navigate the music industry. As Insia's talent and popularity grow, she finds herself torn between her dreams and her family's expectations.

The film showcases Insia's struggles, determination, and courage as she fights against societal norms, patriarchal oppression, and her own fears. Through her music, Insia seeks freedom, self-expression, and the strength to confront her father's tyranny.

Release

The release of Secret Superstar was originally scheduled for August 4, 2017, but it was pushed back to October 19, 2017, due to production delays. The movie was shown in 1,100 theatres on 1,800 screens when it first debuted in India, and it debuted on 2,840 screens everywhere else. It was on Zee Cinema, which aired Secret Superstar for the first time on Indian television on February 24 and 25, 2018.

On November 24, 2017, the movie was released in Taiwan on 73 screens, which is more than Dangal had at the time. The film opened in Russia on 50 screens on February 8, 2018. It was announced in the same month that the film would be released in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

In late October 2017, Aamir Khan said that Secret Superstar would be released in China within the following one or two months. Secret Superstar was released on 11,000 screens in China on January 19, 2018. It's the first time an Indian film has secured the type of agreement often reserved for blockbuster Hollywood productions.

Reviews

On the website Rotten Tomatoes, which collects reviews from many sources, 91% of the 11 reviews were positive, giving the movie an average rating of 7.5/10. 

Rajeev Masand rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, analysing it as "an inspiring journey towards empowerment, a case for pursuing one's passion against all odds, a testament to the deep mother-daughter bond, and a convincing depiction of teenage years." He commended the actors' performances, specifically the lead actress Zaira Wasim, saying, "Standing tall amidst a pitch-perfect ensemble is Zaira Wasim as Insiya, who comes off as something of an old soul trapped in a teenager's body. Wise beyond her years, she is riveting on screen, in the manner in which she appears to sing using her entire being, or the little moments of crushing disappointment and excitement that are reflected on the canvas that is her expressive face."

According to Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV, Secret Superstar "is a bit like an over-enthusiastic child gifted a new bicycle. It never takes the foot off the pedal. The overlong film could have done with more restraint. It frequently seems to get carried away by the urge not to miss any trick in the book." He did, however, applaud the actors' performances, saying, "Zaira is an absolute treat—a bundle of miracles! As for the wonderful Meher Vij, one can only ask: where was she all these years? We hope to see more of her on the big screen." Chatterjee concluded by saying "Secret Superstar is a winner notwithstanding the bumps along the way."

Cast

• Zaira Wasim as Insia

• Aamir Khan as Shakti Kumaarr

• Meher Vij as Najma

• Raj Arjun as Farookh

• Farrukh Jaffar as Badi Apa

• Tirth Sharma as Chintan

• Kabir Sajid as Guddu

• Mona Ambegaonkar as Sheena Sabavala

• Manuj Sharma as Ranjeet

• Nitika Anand Mukherjee as Sheetal Miss

• Shaan as himself (Special Appearance)

• Monali Thakur as herself (Special Appearance)

Crew

• Director(s) - Advait Chandan

• Writer(s) - Advait Chandan

• Producer(s) - Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, Nittin Keni, and Akash Chawla

• Cinematographer(s) - Anil Mehta

• Editor(s) - Hemanti Sarkar

• Musician(s) - Amit Trivedi

Character Analysis

• Insia Malik (Zaira Wasim): Insia is a passionate and talented teenage singer who dreams of becoming a famous musician. Despite facing many obstacles, including her conservative and abusive father, she remains determined to pursue her passion. Insia's character represents resilience, courage, and the power of self-belief.
• Najma Malik (Meher Vij): Najma is Insia's loving and supportive mother who recognises her daughter's talent and encourages her to follow her dreams. Despite being trapped in an abusive marriage, she finds the strength to stand up for her daughter and herself. Najma's character symbolises sacrifice, unconditional love, and empowerment.
• Farookh Malik (Raj Arjun): Farookh is Insia's conservative and oppressive father who disapproves of her interest in music. He is a controlling and abusive man who tries to suppress his daughter's talent and ambitions. Farookh's character serves as an antagonist and represents the societal constraints faced by many young women.
• Shakti Kumar (Aamir Khan): Shakti is a once-successful music director whose career is on the decline. He discovers Insia's talent and offers her an opportunity to work with him. Though initially portrayed as arrogant and self-centered, Shakti's character undergoes a transformation as he helps Insia achieve her dreams. His character highlights the importance of mentorship and the impact of believing in someone's potential.
• Chintan (Tirth Sharma): Chintan is Insia's supportive and caring childhood friend. He encourages her to pursue her passion for singing and helps her with her YouTube channel. Chintan's character represents loyalty, friendship, and the importance of having a support system.

Songs

Behind the Scenes

Play

Zaira Wasim was cast as the lead character, Insia, after her successful debut in the film Dangal, where she played the younger version of Geeta Phogat. Aamir Khan was impressed with her performance and believed she was the perfect fit for Insia's role in Secret Superstar.

Aamir Khan is known for getting into the skin of his characters. For his role as Shakti Kumar, he underwent a significant transformation, including wearing funky clothes and adopting a unique body language to portray the quirky, self-centered music director.

The film's music, composed by Amit Trivedi, plays a crucial role in the story. The songs, such as Main Kaun Hoon and Nachdi Phira, were meticulously crafted to reflect Insia's emotions and journey. Meghna Mishra, a young singer, lent her voice to Insia's character, adding depth and authenticity to the film's soundtrack.

Director Advait Chandan and the production team went to great lengths to ensure the film's authenticity. They carefully chose the locations and sets to depict the conservative environment Insia grows up in and the contrast between her world and the music industry she enters.

Controversy

While the 2017 Bollywood film Secret Superstar achieved critical praise and financial success, there appear to have been no major controversies directly related to the film.

Box Office Collection

With around ₹860 Crore, Secret Superstar is regarded as one of the most financially successful films of all time. 

In addition to being the highest-grossing Indian film with a female protagonist, the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2017, and the fourth-highest-grossing Indian film globally, the film also holds the record for the second-highest-grossing Indian film internationally.

Prior to its premiere in China, the movie had a global box office total of ₹101 crore by October 31, 2017, and ₹150 crore (US$23.03 million) by January 18. Secret Superstar turned out to be one of the most financially successful films ever given its small budget. On a budget of ₹15 Crore (US$2.3 million), it had one of the highest returns on investment (ROI) of all time after its premiere in China on January 19, 2018, grossing more than ₹900 Crore (US$138.2 million) by February 15, 2018.

Awards

Interesting Facts

• Earlier, the movie had been titled Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai.

• In just 15 days, Aamir Khan finished filming for his part in the movie.

• Azad Air, a nod to Aamir Khan's youngest son, Azad, is the name of the airline company displayed in the movie.

• Zaira Wasim imitated Mickey Mouse on the first day of filming. Everyone laughed, but Raj Arjun didn't even crack a smile. As a result, she began to distance herself from him, believing him to be an angry man. The whole crew shared this opinion, but Raj was just too invested in his character.

Conclusion

Secret Superstar is not just a film; it is a celebration of resilience, the pursuit of dreams, and the power of music to transcend all barriers. With its soulful melodies, poignant storytelling, and powerful performances, this cinematic gem promises to inspire, uplift, and leave an unerasable mark on the hearts of its viewers.

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