In case you haven’t watched Secret Superstar yet, let us tell you, through some sparkling reviews, that the movie ‘digs deep into several Indian truths, but in the process never trivializes them, or tries to emotionally manipulate its audiences.’
The film is centred around the life of a teenage school girl in Gujarat’s Vadodara. Played by Dangal’s Zaira Wasim, she comes from a conservative Muslim family, especially the father who is a staunch detractor of her musical pursuits.
“It makes its characters work hard for their triumphs, and hence its eventual outcome—even though predictable and happy—rings true. Secret Superstar is equally pertinent to the little girls of our country, who have just begun to dream, as it is to their fathers: callous automatons who have forgotten what it means to sing and feel and smile,’ read The Wire‘s review of the movie.
It won’t be a hyperbole to attribute the progressive, relevant nature of the film to the production house. Helmed by Aamir Khan, who also makes a short appearance in the movie, AKP has delivered some truly game-changing films over the years. And unsurprisingly, most them have even made good money at the box office.
Having himself acted in commensurate movies like Sarfarosh, Dil Chahta Hai, Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots and PK, Aamir is no stranger to meaningful cinema. And his productions have invariably not missed the mark either.
Lagaan
India’s Oscar entry in 2001, the sports-drama film was received with critical acclaim not just in India but globally as well. It became the third Indian film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and was one of the biggest box office hits of 2001. eter Bradshaw of The Guardian described the film as “a lavish epic, a gorgeous love story, and a rollicking adventure yarn. Larger than life and outrageously enjoyable.”
Taare Zameen Par
The heart-warming story of a dyslexic child who is sent packing to a boarding school by his parents had almost everyone in the audience in tears. It was a well-timed commentary on various social issues, especially parent-child relationships, in the day and age where competitive exams have become the threshold for defining someone as a successful individual.
Delhi Belly
The film raised a few controversies with some cuss words and ‘profanity.’ Ultimately released with an ‘A’ certificate, the film was a bold take on the lives of artists and people in similar professions. A trio of these guys accidentally get embroiled with gangsters and make for a cult comedy for the ages.
Dangal
You don’t need us to tell you how Dangal affected the Indian audiences, followed by a hysteric response even in foreign markets. Based on a true story the film brought forth the real life struggles of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and all his sacrifices and efforts that went in to producing a bunch of Olympian daughters, that too in the orthpdox backyards of Haryana. Take a bow Aamir!
