Superboys of Malegaon: A Heartwarming Ode to Filmmaking

Reema Kagti’s ‘Superboys of Malegaon,’ produced by Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby, presents a fictionalized retelling of an incredible true story. The film delves into the improbable dreams of ordinary individuals in Malegaon, who, despite societal and economic challenges, embark on a journey of self-belief through filmmaking.

The film avoids the usual cliches of the genre, steering clear of portraying the Malegaon residents as mere oddballs in a rags-to-riches narrative. Instead, it depicts them as relatable individuals navigating ambition, friendship, and love amidst the transient nature of fame and success. The film celebrates the chaotic process of filmmaking and explores the dynamics of a liberalized society grappling with conflicting desires.

The location and characters are inspired by Faiza Ahmad Khan’s 2008 documentary, ‘Supermen of Malegaon,’ but Kagti’s film expands beyond the scope of the documentary.

In contrast to the prevalent hyper-nationalistic action films in Bollywood, ‘Superboys of Malegaon’ offers a refreshing return to a cinematic landscape where human flaws are confronted and overcome. Varun Grover’s screenplay, along with dialogues by Shoaib Zulfi Nazeer, captures the magic that occurs when the mundane collides with the intense desire to escape the routine of survival.

The film portrays the scrappy filmmaking projects in Malegaon as a form of resistance against inertia, anonymity, and mortality. These projects address common issues such as economic uncertainty, vocational challenges, and the patriarchal norms of an ultra-conservative society where women’s freedom is restricted.

The film explores whether a modern streaming platform release can capture the unpredictable nature of the lives and films created by Nasir Shaikh (Adarsh Gourav), his friend Shafique Shaikh (Shashank Arora), writer Farogh (Vineet Kumar Singh), and the rest of the Malegaon crew.

‘Superboys of Malegaon’ closely captures the rhythms of life in a place where the everyday is both ordinary and filled with ambiguity. Swapnil S. Sonawane’s cinematography and Anand Subaya’s editing contribute to the film’s staccato rhythm.

The film contains all the necessary elements of a story about people from a conservative region attempting to rise above their circumstances with limited resources but plenty of determination. The measured performances of the cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Muskaan Jaferi, strike a balance between energy and restraint. The characters strive for success while remaining grounded in reality.

Nasir’s Journey into Filmmaking

The film begins in 1997 in a video parlour, where Nasir screens films featuring Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Due to lack of audience, Nasir mixes Chaplin and Keaton with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan films. The audience enjoy this until the police intervene, charge Nasir with piracy, and shut down the video parlour.

Faced with limited options and armed with Rs 12000, Nasir begins making his own films—parodies of Bollywood hits—for the local audience. Despite skepticism, including from his brother Nihal (Gyanendra Tripathi), Nasir’s friends join the venture, starting with ‘Malegaon Ke Sholay.’ Nasir faces numerous obstacles in his path.

Relationships and Aspirations

Nasir also deals with matters of the heart. He is in love with Mallika (Riddhi Kumar), who is out of his reach. However, Shabeena (Muskaan Jaferi), a law student, has a crush on him. Trupti (Manjiri Pupala), an actress seeking to escape an abusive marriage, develops a bond with Shafique.

Nasir does not consider moving to Mumbai, aware of the challenges of succeeding in Bollywood. Writer Farogh, dissatisfied with Nasir’s parodies, moves to Mumbai in search of opportunities. Farogh believes the writer is in charge but realizes that Nasir is not interested in original ideas.

Conclusion

Ultimately, ‘Superboys of Malegaon,’ directed by Kagti and featuring strong performances from Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Muskaan Jaferi, is a delightful tribute to the world of movies.

Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti describe ‘Superboys of Malegaon’ as a film about the joy of filmmaking and the realization of dreams, regardless of their origin. The cast and crew emphasize the film’s honest approach to cinema. Ritesh Sidhwani discusses how true success extends beyond box office numbers, and Kagti analyzes a key scene from the film.