Bollywood is speaking to Chinese film-goers with a Hindi-language hit that’s outdrawing “Star Wars" in a market that Hollywood has staked out for making big-budget blockbusters pay.
“Secret Superstar,” the tale of a 14-year-old Muslim-Indian girl who strives to become a singer, has topped China’s box office since its local release on Jan. 19, surpassing sales for “Star Wars: Last Jedi,” according to ticketing-data provider Maoyan.
The second straight hit in China for Bollywood actor-producer Aamir Khan, “Secret Superstar” underscores how quickly the world’s second-biggest film market is evolving from franchise fare like Universal Pictures’ “Fast & Furious” installments to