Secret Superstar movie review: Zaira Wasim rocks it in Aamir Khan starrer, making it a perfect Diwali gift

Aamir Khan, who is known as Mr Perfectionist, has come up with a perfect gift for his fans this Diwali as his much talked about movie Secret Superstar has finally hit the screen.

Starring Zaira Wasim and Aamir Khan in the lead, the movie revolves around the story of a teenage girl who aspire to be a singer. However, her dreams are suppressed by his aggressive father and that is when social media comes to her rescuse making her an internet sensation.

Interestingly, this is the second time Aamir has collaborated with Zaira after their blockbuster movie Dangal which managed to create a history on box office.

While Secret Superstar continues to be a much awaited movie, here's what the leading dailies has to say about this Aamir Khan starrer:

NDTV: Secret Superstar is a simple film that is unashamedly saccharine and manipulative, yet has the ability to surprise us in ways small and large.

It is a film about a little girl, sure, played by Zaira Wasim who was so good as the young Geeta in Dangal, and is earnest and irrepressible here, but it is a film just as much about her mother, played winningly by Meher Vij, who was the Afridi-worshipping mother of the mute girl in Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

As a woman who requests her son to hold his bowel movements in for a little longer so that she can watch a few more minutes of a glitzy televised awards show, Vij is super.

Hers is a role about making tough decisions, and she shines even when she has to parrot the kind of lines we will forever associate with Farida Jalal.

Zee News - Unlike other major releases of Bollywood, this one sticks to the basics. Interestingly nothing is overdone in the film. This is the reason why a subtle pace leads the tale in the right direction. Also, a slice of Aamir Khan's touch of perfection is also visible in the plot.

If we talk about the casting of the flick, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that it is brilliantly done. Apart from Zaira's breakthrough performance, Meher Vij (who plays her mother) has essayed the role remarkably well.

At times, Meher's act will bring tears to your eyes. On the other hand, Raj is so convincing as a violent father that you will start hating him for real.

IB Times - Zaira Wasim is an absolute star and you will connect with her within seconds. Talking about Aamir Khan, he is at his funniest best and brings in the right amount of humour in this heavily emotional movie.

Apart from Aamir and Zaira, some other actors have also made remarkable performances in the movie – Meher Vij , Raj Arjun , Tirth Sharma and the little boy who plays Zaira's brother. Every character will touch your heart in its own way.

Times Of India - Aamir is the scene-stealer. His character — a cross between the brash American Idol judge Simon Cowell and your crass Bollywood music directors from the 80-90s — appears like a caricature at the start.

But you invest in him eventually because of the nuances he brings. It is also commendable that he never really attempts to steal the limelight from young Zaira, who is an absolute delight to watch.

Najma (Meher) as the submissive wife says so much without spelling it out. And others like — Chintan (Tirth Sharma) and child-actor Guddu (Kabir) are adorable.

Mumbai Mirror - Zaira Wasim, unlike most prepared child actors, retains a distinct vulnerability in her performance.

But despite her eponymous role, it's her onscreen mum Meher Vij (also the doting mum from Bajrangi Bhaijaan) who internalises her character's mind and heart precisely and with meticulous attention to how every expression parlays an emotion.

Aamir Khan's caricature of a self-indulgent popstar adds the much-needed comic element in this emotional drama but his role is restricted to just that.