Superboys Of Malegaon Review: Fueled by controlled performances that meld intensity and restraint, the characters and the film aim for the sky while remaining firmly planted to the earth.
Superboys of Malegaon Review: A Cinematic Delight from Start to Finish
The incredible true story of Malegaon’s passionate moviemakers has captivated audiences for over a decade and a half. Their journey—marked by ambition, resilience, and the struggle against economic and societal constraints—continues to inspire. Director Reema Kagti brings this tale to life in Superboys of Malegaon, a fictionalized retelling that seamlessly blends humor, drama, and raw authenticity.
Produced by Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby, the film highlights the extraordinary spirit of seemingly ordinary individuals. Unlike conventional underdog stories, Superboys of Malegaon refrains from portraying its protagonists as quirky outliers in a clichéd rags-to-riches narrative. Instead, it presents them as real people navigating friendships, ambition, fleeting fame, and the transient nature of success.
At its core, the film is a celebration of filmmaking itself. It delves into the struggles of an economically challenged society, balancing aspirations with harsh realities. Drawing inspiration from Faiza Ahmad Khan’s documentary Supermen of Malegaon (2008), the film expands beyond the boundaries of non-fiction, offering a deeply human exploration of art as a means of resistance against obscurity and stagnation.
Amid Bollywood’s current wave of loud, hyper-nationalistic action films, Superboys of Malegaon serves as a refreshing departure. It returns to a cinema of substance, where humanity, with all its imperfections, takes center stage. Varun Grover’s screenplay (co-written with Shoaib Zulfi Nazeer) masterfully captures the magic found in the mundane, portraying how creativity thrives even in adversity.
The film vividly recounts the journey of Nasir Shaikh (Adarsh Gourav) and his friends—Shafique Shaikh (Shashank Arora), alcoholic writer Farogh (Vineet Kumar Singh), and their motley crew—as they chase their cinematic dreams in Malegaon. Their filmmaking projects, though scrappy and unpolished, represent defiance against the inertia of their daily lives.
Economic struggles, patriarchal norms, and vocational challenges are ever-present in their world. Women, like aspiring lawyer Shabeena (Muskaan Jaferi) and actress Trupti (Manjiri Pupala), navigate their own battles, adding depth to the story. The film’s cinematography by Swapnil S. Sonawane and sharp editing by Anand Subaya enhance its immersive quality, perfectly capturing the unfiltered essence of Malegaon.
Nasir’s journey—from screening Chaplin and Keaton films in a video parlour to making his own low-budget Bollywood parodies—unfolds with humor and poignancy. As he defies skepticism and financial struggles, he creates Malegaon Ke Sholay, a project that embodies his relentless passion. But even as dreams take shape, personal and creative conflicts arise, challenging the bonds that hold the group together.
While some, like writer Farogh, seek greater opportunities in Mumbai, Nasir remains grounded, aware of Bollywood’s unforgiving nature. His resistance to leaving Malegaon underscores the film’s theme—success isn’t always about escaping one’s roots, but about finding purpose within them.
In Superboys of Malegaon, the writer may claim to be the boss, but the film belongs to everyone involved—Reema Kagti’s direction, the exceptional cast, and the spirit of Malegaon itself. The result is a heartwarming, spirited ode to cinema—super, in the most understated and genuine way possible.
