For many years, males have dominated Indian cinema. Few female celebrities over the years have been able to surpass their male counterparts in the box office. Among the films are Mother India, Pakeezah, and Seeta Aur Geeta. However, a growing number of female actors have starred in movies that have made over ₹100 crore in the past ten years. Kangana Ranaut and Alia Bhatt are both members of the club with many entries. Nevertheless, one movie surpasses the hits of all these celebrities when global earnings are taken into consideration, and it was led by a 16-year-old.
India’s top-grossing female-led movie
Secret Superstar, a coming-of-age movie directed by Advait Chandan, was about a budding singer who battles an authoritarian father. In just her second movie (after Dangal), Zaira Wasim played the major role in this one. In addition to Raj Arjun, Meher Vij, and Tirth Sharma, Secret Superstar also had an appearance from producer Aamir Khan. On a ₹15-crore budget, Secret Superstar made ₹64 crore net (₹90 crore gross) in India.
But after it was released in China, it became one of the most popular Indian films. 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.
India’s highest-grossing female-led films
Secret Superstar has made twice as much money as any other Indian film directed by a woman. Adah Sharma’s The Kerala Story, which made ₹304 crore globally, comes in at number two. Two of Kangana Ranaut’s films, Tanu Weds Manu Returns (₹255 crore) and Manikarnika (₹133 crore), are among the top 10. Alia Bhatt makes three appearances: Dear Zindagi (₹135 crore), Raazi (₹196 crore), and Gangubai Kathiawadi (₹212 crore). Kareena Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor’s Veere Di Wedding (₹139 crore), Rani Mukerji’s Hichki (₹208 crore), and Kriti Sanon, Kareena Kapoor, and Tabu’s Crew (₹157 crore) are among the other films on the list.
An abrupt end to Zaira Wasim’s career
Zaira Wasim had a fantastic start to her career with about ₹3000 crore from her first two flicks, Secret Superstar and Dangal. When the second of the movies came out, she was just sixteen. She received a Filmfare Award for the latter and a National Film Award for the former.
But Zaira only worked on one more movie, and she declared her retirement prior to its premiere. At just eighteen, Zaira gave up film because she felt it interfered with her religious beliefs. Later that year, she published The Sky Is Pink, her last book. However, the actor refrained from participating in the marketing. Now, Zaira leads a tranquil life away from the spotlight.
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