Aamir Khan’s ‘Secret Superstar’ looks to recreate success of ‘Dangal’ in China

Following the tremendous box-office success of Dangal in China, Secret Superstar, another Aamir Khan film, is set to hit Chinese mainland theaters on January 19.

While Indian films that screen in the Chinese mainland usually debut at least six months after their premiere on their home turf, Secret Superstar is coming out after just a three-month delay, indicating that the Chinese distributors of the film, China Film Group and Huaxia Film Distribution, has high hopes for its performance, reported Global Times.

The film marks the directorial debut of Advait Chandan, Khan's former manager, and stars Zaira Wasim in the lead role. Wasim will be a familiar face for Chinese audiences since she played a major role in Dangal - one of the daughters of Khan's character. Secret Superstar sees Khan once again play a supportive role as he plays a washed-up singer with a notorious reputation that mentors Wasim, a young woman with musical talent who must deal with an oppressive father.

With a reported production budget of 150 million Indian rupees ($2.4 million), Secret Superstar was a commercial hit in India, grossing 830 million Indian rupees. Longing for another craze among Chinese audience, both the director and lead actress kicked off a mainland tour last week, and Khan is expected to join them in late January.