Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar

Published on 7 October 2026 at 21:46

Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar

🎬🧠⭐😂

by Rashmi Sirdeshpande

★★★★

At a glance

Things I loved:

✍🏼 Author: Rashmi Sirdeshpande

🎨 Illustrator: Mamta Singh

📅 Release Date: 12th February 2026

📚 Book type: Illustrated diary, 240 pages

🌟 Reader level: Growing

🎬 Brilliant Bollywood ambition
🧠 Insight into AuDHD
😂 Loads of chaotic humour
🧠Fascinating Indian heritage
🎨 Fun illustrations throughout
📖 Fantastic class-read potential

Dive Deeper

My Thoughts...

I picked up Hari Kumar after a class call with Rashmi Sirdeshpande, who was so inspiring! I’ve also been loving diary-format books lately, so this felt like perfect timing. And with a 10-year-old protagonist determined to become a Bollywood superstar, I knew it was going to be a fun one!

I absolutely loved Hari as a narrator! His AuDHD brain brings so much energy and chaos to the story, and I loved seeing how he experiences and makes sense of the world around him. It’s a really fun and accessible way to introduce children to neurodiversity while keeping the story full of laughs and adventure.

I also loved the opportunity to learn more about Hari’s Indian heritage. The book introduces lots of interesting facts in a really natural way, while the simple illustrations on every page add an extra layer of fun and make this a really accessible read.

🌟I would absolutely recommend this as a class read for LKS2+! There are so many opportunities for discussion and learning, alongside plenty of laughs, chaos and fun. Hari is a brilliant character, and I think lots of children will absolutely love him! 🌟

Blurb

Hari Kumar: 10 years old, 75% Indian, 25% French, and 100% going to be a superstar. All Hari needs to make it big is a lucky break – a chance to get his name out there. And when that arrives in the form of a film festival competition at school, it’s Hari’s chance to shine.

But life isn’t always like the movies. The new kid Hari thought would be his sidekick turns out to have the makings of a true villain, the crack team he’s assembled have minds of their own, and censorship (in the form of the Deputy Head Teacher) is looming. Can Hari keep things together and pull off an epic comeback, or will his film-making debut be cancelled before it’s even released…?