Watch: ‘Superstar’ – Bindu Subramaniam

Genetics can really screw you over sometimes. It’s altogether tragic, for example, that Soha Ali Khan looks like father ‘Tiger’ Pataudi while Saif Ali Khan is the splitting image of Sharmila Tagore. Consider the progeny that is Bindu Subramaniam. Father: Acclaimed violinist Dr. L Subramaniam. Mother: Renowned playback singer Kavita Krishnamoorthy. You’d think the offspring of this formidable duo would be some sort of Bieber-Bach super-musician. Sadly, musical talent may indeed be a recessive gene. So, life gave Bindu lemons, and she proceeded to make a cheesy pop video.

‘Superstar’ is the first single off Subramaniam Jr.’s debut album, Surrender. The music video also marks the directorial debut of Luke Kenny, whom you might remember from such hits as Rock On!!. In the age of auto-tune, it’d be unfair to comment on the singing chops (or lack thereof) of the young singer. The songwriting, on the other hand, is very much fair game. ‘Superstar’ is the kind of track that Rebecca Black (or her team of writers) would have loved to have written. The basic premise – everyone can aspire to greatness in their own field – is conveyed in the most hackneyed, simplistic form possible. To reinforce the blandness of the theme, Señor Kenny comes through with a killer video concept. Low-rent extras dressed in the garbs of various professions take turns posing as Bindu’s backing band, playing their instruments with the fake panache of Akshay Kumar in Sainik. In a twist to the plot, Bindu appears to be displeased with the outcome through most of the video, shrugging and looking confused (this may or may not be acting) through most of the song. Her prodigious parents also look on in disgust (this was probably not acting) at proceedings, threatening to storm off the sets at various points during the video. Then, in the climax scene, all is well again as the family joins Bindu and collectively fake play the song to a welcome conclusion.

With a pedigree and powerful industry connections, sometimes what you need more than anything is an honest opinion. Thanks to the absence of said opinion, watch the travesty that is ‘Superstar’ by Bindu Subramaniam below.