What is Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar about?
10 year old Hari Kumar (75% Indian & 25% French) wants desperately to be a Bollywood Actor. Ultimate Superstar is a funny doodle-full diary novel, taking readers on his journey to get closer to his dream.
Plot summary of Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar (No Spoilers)
Hari Kumar wants to be famous like other kids at his school. But Hari wants to be even more famous – he wants to be a Bollywood movie star!
He tries his connections to Bollywood (his grandparents live in Mumbai), but it’s a no go. He’s tried (42 times) asking his parents if he can switch to acting school. They said NO! (42 times). His mates Lily and Raheem are keen to help him and Hari does have his super power.
Just like his mum, his superpower of Autism and ADHD really help him become super focussed. His Nani’s advice on manifesting something you want helps too.
If only his aunties weren’t so intense, and his nemesis at school wasn’t so mean? It doesn’t help when a new kid joins Hari’s enemy at getting in the way of his acting success.
Review
Anyone who loves Louie Stowell’s Loki series, or Ross Welford’s Prince Kal series, is sure to enjoy Hari Kumar and his antics.
This diary doodle format novel is clever, funny and very relatable to any readers 8+. Set in Hari’s home or school, readers will see themselves, or learn a little about his Hindi family, food and customs. I certainly did!
His autism and ADHD are key factors in the book, and more understanding of classmates like Hari is possible after meeting him in this first book in the series.
Almost every page has an illustration, doodle or list, adding even more humour as Hari shares his quest to become an actor. Most don’t go to plan. Some do however, all inadvertently woven into a ‘story mountain’ format Hari is learning at school.
A funny, relatable character in an enjoyable journal read.
Book Style
230 Pages /Â This novel is written in a Journal style of approx 6 weeks, skipping a few days in between. The book begins with introductions of Hari, his friends and family and why he writing a journal. It is packed with funny drawings, notes, and speech bubbles. There are also small boxes of text explaining things (especially for his parents who shouldn’t be reading his journal!)
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
8+
Where & When is it set?
In England outside London
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
Third Person / Past Tense
What genre is Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar?
Middle Grade Humour / Diary
Themes
Real Life / Diary / Friendship / School / Humour / Series
Is it part of a series?
Yes – Hari Kumar Series
- Hari Kumar – Ultimate Superstar (2026)
- Hari Kumar – Going for Gold (Aug 2026)
Author
Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Illustrator
Mamta Singh
Publisher
Harper Collins
Find more diary format books here
Find more funny tween reads here
(2026, Series, Journal, Diary, School, Funny, Humour, Doodles, Journal, Film Competition, Bollywood Actor, ADHD, Autism, Music, Real Life)