Secret Superstar.. Simply Superb!

We watched the movie Secret Superstar last week, and I have been monitoring its box office collections since then (something I never do) because I so want it to succeed! It’s the best Bollywood movie I have seen, definitely in the last several years, and I keep wondering if I can even say ‘ever’. You see, this movie goes into so many places that Bollywood movies typically don’t- and you don’t once feel like you are being ‘educated’ or preached to, or having to develop an acquired taste. It is natural and powerful. And much credit for that goes to extremely gifted actors in each and every role, and of course the brand new director Advait Chandan- God bless him.

Much of the movie takes place within the home of the lead character Insiya, who is a 15 year old girl in Baroda. The women in that home are treated as second class citizens- or worse, and the ‘strict’ father rules with an iron fist. The portrayals were so strong that when we walked out during the interval, a friend and I were recounting when we have seen/ heard of such families and dynamics, and found ourselves wondering what would happen if a man who behaves so in real life were to watch this movie- will it change him? We forgot that we were watching a movie. We felt we had just witnessed a harrowing scene through the windows of a neighbour’s home.

I thought of my own father- how I have never heard him raise his voice towards anyone, and never in a million years towards the ladies in the house, whom he cherishes. And I realized the additional onus on men because of the social context that grants them privilege. The good men are extra-careful not to ‘impose’ their stature or authority on women and children.. an authority they may not even know of or want, but society anyway accords to them. The wise men know this. And they instinctively take responsibility. We talked about how our mothers would play ‘bad cop’ and even scream at us if needed, but never our fathers. It may be fair or unfair- but perhaps an authoritarian mother is more easily forgiven than an authoritarian father.

Of course the man in the movie is far worse than just authoritarian. The movie portrays domestic violence unflinchingly. In a way that a man in the audience, who inflicts such violence, can’t not see himself in it. I hope. Beyond that, the film gives dignity to real human experiences.

It gives dignity to teenagers and adolescents– and their unadulterated aspirations and dreams. Insiya and her boyfriend are treated like mature fully formed human beings with complex thought processes and emotions. There is youthful energy and idealism, even naiveté, but the director respectfully gives it its place and use in the world.

It gives dignity to teenage romance– not in the way of sugary songs, or exploding hormones, but as a multi-faceted human relationship. A small moment that stayed with me was when Chintan, Insiya’s boyfriend, holds out his hands for Insiya to step on so she can climb the wall she needs to cross to get to the ‘big break’ she is expecting. A small moment, and much said.

It gives dignity to the anger in women– I don’t remember any other portrayal in Bollywood where angst and physical expression of anger are shown as natural to women. Insiya frowns most of the time, gets irritated a lot, throws and breaks things out of frustration and anger. She doesn’t just cry or go quiet, she blows off steam. Like many of us do in real life. Thank you, Mr.Advait Chandan, for breaking yet another Bollywood norm and making no bones about it.

It gives dignity to the ambition and drive of women and girls– Insiya has a talent, and a desire to show it to the world. She’s not apologetic or shy about what she wants. She believes she deserves everything she wants, and goes after it. She is not a second fiddle in someone else’s story- she is in the center of her own. While there are Bollywood movies that have captured this side of feminine identity, I can mainly recall them being inspired by real life characters. And I am super kicked that it is flowing into fiction as well.

While another favourite movie English-Vinglish, and the popular movie Queen, honoured the women’s journey of finding independence, freedom and a sense of self-worth, I am proud of this movie for portraying the innate drive, freedom and self-worth which one is born with. It is not necessarily something you lack and need to find, but it is natural to have it unless someone tramples upon it and stifles it. Which brings me to the next point.

It gives dignity to the women who have suffered– The movie definitely celebrates the undaunted spirit of the young girl. At the same time, there is a clear reminder that nobody does it alone. The inner freedom which many women today enjoy is a fruit of hard labour and sufferings of generations of women before them. Women who may have had a rough deal themselves but vowed to get it better for their daughters. It gives dignity to the suffering women- who may not have the wherewithal to fight for themselves at a given point in time, the women who within their limited means try to make a better world for their daughters.

Insiya, when she dares to dream, stands on the strength of the freedom her mother has stolen for her at much risk. Her dream starts as a selfish one- for herself and her talent. But she starts to realize how intimately connected with her dream the people who love her are, including her little brother. How her life is not hers alone. That is a crucial growing moment for her, and I believe without that the movie would have been a unidimensional run of personal ambition. The bond between mother and daughter is a unique and strong one, made up of mutual desire to make the other’s life better.

The movie is made of the context, the sub-text, the relationships and the small moments captured with much astuteness. The true measure of the movie is not in its ending, but in the treatment of the little themes and moments. Like the freshness of Insiya’s character who states the truth as she sees it, and has conviction in her own thinking despite what people in more popular or powerful positions might think- she reminds me of my Dear Husband 🙂 Like the moment her mother notices in subtle ways that her daughter is capable of finding her own way in the world, and that her story can run different from hers.. Like every time a song comes up in that clear pure melodious voice that leaves you full of tears..

At one point I found myself thinking, “It’s such a perfect movie, I don’t know what ending could do it justice. Oh please, let the ending not spoil the movie.” The ending was dramatic, some may even say exaggerated. But the way the climax plays out is actually borrowed from a real life example involving Aamir Khan himself! If you have seen the movie, or don’t worry about spoilers, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGHz1npWk6k

This is a movie that made me proud, even without having anything to do with it. It made me proud to be in any way associated with any form of expression. It brought up for me the over-used but ever-true line from The Dead Poets Society, “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”