A 16-year-old actress surpassed the achievements of many of today’s leading ladies. Here’s how.
The Indian cinema industry has long been dominated by male actors, a fact that has remained evident over the years. In the 90s, only a few female stars managed to outshine their male co-stars. However, today, a number of actresses have delivered outstanding performances in female-led films that have surpassed the rs 100-crore mark. Actresses such as Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, and Kangana Ranaut have proven that with talent and determination, female-led films can achieve incredible success. But even before these stars, a 16-year-old actress surpassed the achievements of many of today’s leading ladies.
Secret Superstar, directed by Advait Chandan and released in 2017, is a coming-of-age story about a young aspiring singer who stands up against her authoritarian father. The film starred Zaira Wasim in her second role (after Dangal) and her first as the lead. Secret Superstar also featured Raj Arjun, Meher Vij, and Tirth Sharma, along with producer Aamir Khan in a cameo appearance. The film was a success in India, earning a net revenue of rs 64 crore (rs 90 crore gross) on a modest budget of rs 15 crore.
Remarkably, Aamir Khan’s Secret Superstar went on to earn a staggering rs 800 crore in China. The film broke records and became a massive hit. Explaining the movie’s success in China, Aamir shared that China’s emotional sensibilities are quite similar to India’s, which is why the story resonated so well with Chinese audiences. He stated, “China’s emotional tone is very much like ours. Hence, our stories touch them. I’m sure there are many Chinese films we haven’t seen but are similar in nature. Things like emotions, family values, and culture appeal to them.”
Highest-Grossing Woman-Led Films in India
Secret Superstar stands as the first woman-led film to achieve such extraordinary success. Following closely is Adah Sharma’s The Kerala Story, which earned a worldwide total of rs 304 crore. Kangana Ranaut has two entries in the top 10 with Tanu Weds Manu Returns (rs 255 crore) and Manikarnika (rs133 crore). Alia Bhatt has three films in this category with Gangubai Kathiawadi (rs 212 crore), Raazi (rs 196 crore), and Dear Zindagi (rs135 crore).
This rise of women-led films continues to inspire a new generation of actresses, proving that compelling stories and powerful performances can triumph regardless of industry biases.
