Mumbai: Over the years, female actresses have often outshone their male confreres at the domestic as well as international box office.
Alia Bhatt and Kangana Ranaut are some of the leading names in this category. However, not many know that Zaira Wasim heads the list.
The Zaira’s ‘Secret Superstar’ is India’s highest-grossing women-centric film, which minted Rs 905 crore worldwide.
Produced by Aamir Khan and helmed by Advait Chandan, the 2017 film ‘Secret Superstar’ was Zaira’s second movie after the blockbuster ‘Dangal.’
‘Secret Superstar’ revolved around an aspiring singer fighting against her orthodox father. Zaira was just 4 days away from her 18th birthday when the film was released on October 19, 2007.
The film also starred Raj Arjun, Meher Vij and Tirth Sharma in key roles, while Aamir made a guest appearance.
In India, ‘Secret Superstar’ earned Rs 90 crore, while in China it made a whopping Rs 750 crore. The film also collected Rs 65 crore in Hong Kong.
Zaira’s third and last film was ‘The Sky is Pink’, co-starring Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar. Zaira won several awards and accolades, including Best Supporting Actress in National Film Awards for ‘Dangal’.
But she stunned the film industry in June 2019 by announcing that she would quit acting as it conflicts with her religious beliefs and faith.
BIG EARNING WOMAN-CENTRIC MOVIES
* ‘Secret Superstar’ apart, some of the other highest grossers include Adah Sharma-starrer ‘The Kerala Story’, which did global business to the tune of Rs 304 crore.
* Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ earned Rs 255 crore worldwide while her ‘Manikarnika’ minted Rs 133 crore globally.
* Alia Bhatt gave three 100-crore plus films — ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ (Rs 212 crore), ‘Raazi’ (Rs 196 crore) and ‘Dear Zindagi’ (Rs 135 crore).
* Other women-centric 100-crore club entries include Rani Mukerji’s ;Hichki’ (Rs 208 crore), Kriti Sanon, Kareena Kapoor & Tabu’s ‘Crew’ (Rs 157 crore), and Kareena Kapoor & Sonam Kapoor’s ‘Veere Di Wedding’ (Rs 139 crore).
In the 60s and 70s, films like ‘Mother India’, ‘Pakeezah’ and ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ were some of the top female-centric highest grossers.
