Secret Superstar--a revival of Bollywood films in China?

Interview with Geng Ling, CEO of China Film Assist

[photo: from dfic.cn]

Secret Superstar emerged as a commercial success compared to its limited budget. During its opening weekend in the Chinese market, it became 2017's fourth highest-grossing Indian film worldwide, the year's highest grossing Bollywood film overseas, and one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

What is it that makes this Indian film so successful worldwide? Are we to see a revival of love for Bollywood films in China? 

To answer such questions, we're pleased to invite Ms. Geng Ling, CEO of China Film Assist to join our discussion over the phone.

Question list:

1. Give us your rating about Secret Superstar first.

2. What's the film about? What do you like about the film? Is it the acting, the plot, or the message conveyed?

3. Are you surprised by its box office performance?

Geng Ling, CEO of China Film Assist [Photo: courtesy of Geng Ling]

4. The director Chandan once said the film was conceived when he was helping with the first season of Aamir Khan's television talk show Truth Alone Triumphs, while he was doing the research on the episode about domestic violence. He considers the women in this movie heroes. Do you agree?

5. The success of Secret Superstar makes people think of the 2016 film Dangal, which also features the teenaged actress and Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan. That film also took China and the world by storm. Do you see any similarities in the two films?