India’s most successful film earned Rs 900 crore, had no male lead, actress left acting due to… ,movie is…
GH News March 16, 2025 11:06 PM

For decades we have seen male-dominated movies making headlines. However as Indian cinema has evolved many actresses have taken charge and starred in films with female-centric storylines. Similarly eight years ago a film was released that did not feature big names like Deepika Padukone Shraddha Kapoor or Priyanka Chopra yet this female-centric film became a massive hit. Interestingly the film had a worldwide box office collection of Rs 905 crore and you will be amazed to know that it was a 17-year-old actress who worked magic on screen. Not just in India the movie was loved in China and other parts of the world as well.
The film revolved around how a young girl shatters the shackles of patriarchy and helps not just herself but also her mother escape from a toxic father and husband. If these clues haven’t revealed which film we are talking about then let us tell you—it is Secret Superstar and the young actress in the film is Zaira Wasim.
Made on a budget of Rs 15 crore Secret Superstar performed exceptionally well. The movie minted Rs 65 crore in India and grossed Rs 90 crore overall. However its release in China transformed it into one of the biggest successes in Indian cinema. Secret Superstar grossed $124 million (Rs 750 crore) in China. Additionally the film earned Rs 65 crore from Hong Kong. Eventually its worldwide box office collection reached Rs 905 crore.
However despite the success the movie turned out to be Zaira Wasims last film. She was part of two blockbuster movies—Aamir Khans Dangal and Secret Superstar. She was only 16 when the latter was released. Wasim also won the National Film Award for Dangal and a Filmfare Award for Secret Superstar.
Zaira was 18 when she decided to quit the industry. In one of her statements she revealed that acting was interfering with her faith which led to her decision. Her final film The Sky Is Pink was released later that year but she did not participate in the promotions.