'Secret Superstar' (2017) is a lovingly-wrought, unflinchingly and yet somehow unobtrusively observed movie that manages to fit in domestic abuse, sibling relationships, the innocence of first love, the good and bad of the Hindi film industry, and the beauty of motherhood without making it feel like overkill. Young Zaira Wasim brings charm, enthusiasm and great emotional sensibility to her role as the young daughter with ambitions to become a famous singer, while Meher Vij turns in a competent performance as the mother caught between her duty to her husband and children. It is a movie about dreams and courage, about having and looking for one's voice. I'll admit I avoided watching it thinking it would be too predictable, but while the film hits familiar beats, it also uses them to great effect and wins because it comes straight from the heart. Director-writer Advait Chandan emerges as a solid talent to watch out for.
Genre: Drama, Music
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 2h 30 min
Year of release: 2017
Streaming platform: Netflix
Hot take is a series in which I offer my first impressions of films from India and around the world.
Comments