Secret Superstar Movie Review: Insia’s Got Talent

In his last film Dangal, Aamir Khan had talked about a father’s aspirations, which are fulfilled by his daughters, but this time, Aamir lets the daughter take centre stage in Secret Superstar and comes up with a film, which will bring a lump to your throat.

Vadodara-based Insia’s (Zaira Wasim) world comprises a supportive but long-suffering mother (Meher Vij), an abusive father (Raj Arjun), a besotted classmate and her burning ambition to be a singer. When Insia uploads a video of herself singing (while wearing a burkha so as to keep her identity secret), she becomes an overnight sensation and comes to the attention of roguish music composer Shakti Kumaarr (Aamir Khan), who decides to make her sing his next composition.

Will Insia manage to escape the iron fist of her father and follow her dreams? Watch the film to find out...

Zaira, who made her debut with Dangal, has outdone herself in this film as Insia, a girl who is vulnerable and strong in equal measures. Insia is brave enough to go on her own to Mumbai to negotiate a deal with Kumaarr, but not courageous enough to stand up to her father when he slashes the strings of her guitar for scoring less in a test. Zaira is at her best whether she is blushing at her besotted classmate or persuading her mother to leave her abusive husband and we wish to see more of her in films to come.

Meher Vij is absolutely believable as the selfless mother, who takes her husband’s punches without a protest because he is the bread-winner and provides for her kids while Raj is menace personified as the abusive spouse, whose deceptive calm is enough to make you wince in anticipation of his slap.

Last but not the least; we have Aamir Khan as the colourful Shakti Kumaarr. The actor is a sheer delight to watch in this film with his loud clothes, his swagger, his sneer and his conversation style. Indeed, it is Aamir who infuses some much-needed humour in an otherwise serious and sometimes grim narrative. Detractors may claim that Kumaarr is quite caricaturish, but one cannot deny that he evokes chuckles whenever he is on screen and we thank him for that.

As a film, Secret Superstar may not be as good as Taare Zameen Par, but it does manage to drive the point home and proves to be a classic underdog tale, which will have you rooting for the plucky protagonist. Insia teaches you to fight for your dreams without losing heart. On the flip side, it does have some predictable moments, but we are willing to overlook it as ‘Secret Superstar’ is one of the few movies in recent times, which will make you tear up.

If you genuinely love underdog stories, Secret Superstar should make your Diwali weekend...