How a 16-year-old fled Bollywood after defeating Priyanka, Kangana, and Alia Bhatt to produce India’s highest-grossing female-led film

For many years, Indian cinema has been dominated by men. Few female celebrities have been able to surpass their male counterparts at the box office over the years. A few of these films are Seeta Aur Geeta, Pakeezah, and Mother India. However, during the past ten years, an increasing number of female actors have starred in films that have made over ₹100 crore. Kangana Ranaut and Alia Bhatt both have several entries in the club. However, one movie—led by a 16-year-old—outperforms the hits of all these celebrities when global earnings are taken into consideration.

Secret Superstar, directed by Advait Chandan, was a coming-of-age movie about a budding singer who battles an overbearing father. Zaira Wasim starred in the film as the lead for the first time and in only her second movie (after Dangal). Along with producer Aamir Khan making a brief appearance, Secret Superstar also starred Raj Arjun, Meher Vij, and Tirth Sharma. With a budget of ₹15 crore, Secret Superstar made ₹64 crore net (₹90 crore gross) in India.

However, its release in China transformed it become one of the biggest hits from Indian film. In China, Secret Superstar made $124 million, or ₹750 crore. The movie made ₹905 crore worldwide, the most of any woman-led Indian film, when its ₹65 crore profits from Hong Kong and other international territories are added.

With a combined gross of about ₹3000 crore from her first two films, Dangal and Secret Superstar, Zaira Wasim had an incredible start to her career. When the second movie came out, she was just sixteen years old. For the former, she received a National Film Award; for the latter, she received a Filmfare Award.

Zaira, however, only made one more movie and declared her retirement prior to its premiere. Zaira left the film industry at the age of 18 because she felt it interfered with her religious beliefs. Later that year, she published her last book, The Sky Is Pink. However, the actor did not participate in the advertising. Currently, Zaira leads a quiet life away from the entertainment industry.