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Superboys of Malegaon movie review: An Amazing Reminder Of The 'Magic' Of Cinema That Gives 'Super' Power To Our Life's
What: ‘Superboys Of Malegaon’ – Reema Kagti’s adaptation of Faiza Ahmad Khan’s 2008 landmark documentary ‘Supermen of Malegaon’ reconfirms your believe in the magic and universality of cinema, the power of friendship that gives superpowers to our life’s and reminds us that dreams have no copyrights and/or boundaries.
Superboys Of Malegaon movie synopsis
Its circa 1997, Nasir Shaikh (Adarsh Gourav), an ambitious but amateur filmmaker from the town of Malegaon is a co-owner of a movie theater who runs re-edited action movies turned into comical mashups. The theatre also screens old Buster Keaton films while other theatres are screening popular Bollywood musicals. A raid due to copyright violation stops the screening of those action-comedy mashups and in order to keep the theatre alive, Nasir and his best friend, Farogh - a frustrated screenwriter (Vineet Singh), hit upon a uniquely quirky idea.
Nasir will make parody’s of Bollywod’s evergreen classics with his second-hand video camera and shift the action from Mumbai studios to the mud-caked lanes and clapboard houses of Malegaon.
Nasir and his close friends Akram (Anuj Singh Duhan), Shafique (Shashank Arora) – a loom mill worker, Irfan (Saqib Ayub), Aleem (Pallav Singgh) an Urdu teacher come together to make their first film a parody on the 1975 evergreen cult classic western spaghetti ‘Sholay’ titled as ‘Malegaon Ke Sholay’, their first film becomes a runaway hit, smelling the sweet taste of success, Nasir insists on making another parody on a popular Bollywood classic but Farogh insists on creating something original, A bitter falling-out ensues, and Farogh departs for Mumbai while Nasir makes another parody but both face huge disappointments.
A tragedy in Malegaon brings Nasir and Farogh together and this time they reunite to create something that becomes an unforgettable chapter in history of filmmaking that redefines friendship, hope and self-belief.
‘Superboys Of Malegaon’ – ‘Cinema Paradiso’ meets ‘The Fabelmans’ and Stands by its sheer magic, the power and self-belief. Some movies entertain, some movies enlighten, some become part of your life, while some work as an inspiration, a dope of hope that reinstalls your belief in your art, dreams and becomes special.
‘Superboys Of Malegaon’ falls in that special category and it’s a very rare achievement for a filmmaker, Reema Kagti attains this feat and showcases her love for cinema and concern for humanity. A cinema that fulfils the rare human desire of not just to create/watch an art, but to find yourselves in that art when the curtain falls – man that doesn’t happen often.
Completely unexpected, I have huge admiration for Faiza Ahmad Khan’s 2008 landmark documentary ‘Supermen of Malegaon’ but the way Reema Kagti and writer Varun Grover has enhanced and turned it into a feature length triumphant that is all about passion and people pursuing their passion and then rediscovering themselves as the world embraces them to the fullest for their incredible efforts is pure jaadu (magic).
You will sit, enjoy, clap, laugh and cry while rooting for this modern masterpiece, these cinema pagals from Malegaon make mash ups of Bruce Lee with Chaplin, a bicycle turns into a trolly, when did you got overwhelmed by watching such on-screen folly. Cinema by Malegaon for Malegaon says one character proudly and we proudly back the idea and the emotion.
Performances
All characters are well etched and performances are incredible by almost everyone. Adarsh Gourav is extraordinary as Nasir torn between ambition, vision and pressures who finally finds his mojo.
Vineet Singh is excellent as Farogh a righteous writer trapped in those clichés and popular Bollywood culture, struggling to unleash his creativity.
Shashank Arora as Shafique is brilliant and his expressions bring raw charm.
Solid support comes from Anuj Singh Duhan, Saqib Ayub, Gyanendra Tripathi and Pallav Singgh.
Manjiri Pupala as Trupti makes her presence felt and impresses quite a lot.
Muskan Faferi has her moments.
Riddhi Kumar in a special appearance is fine.
Technicalities
Production values are fabulous. Cinematography by Swapnil S. Sonawane and Parnil Vishwasrao is excellent. Production design by Sally White is perfect. Set decoration by Risha Shetty is apt. Costume design by
Bhawna Sharma is in sync. Music by Sachin-Jigar goes with the mood.
Superboys of Malegaon review – final words
‘Superboys of Malegaon’ is a savoring cinema in true sense, a reminder, a reason why we humans are visiting theatres generations after generations, cinema is a ‘magic’ friendship is a ‘superpower’ and dream is a ‘belief’ that will not make you die.
Based on the documentary ‘Supermen of Malegaon’ by Faiza Ahmad Khan, ‘Superboys of Malegaon’ is directed by Reema Kagti and written by Varun Grover. Produced by Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films and distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, ‘Superboys of Malegaon’ is releasing in theatres across India, US, UK, UAE, Australia, and New Zealand on February 28, 2025.
Going with an overwhelming 4.5 stars for ‘Superboys of Malegaon’.
A child born from life & fed by cinema. A filmi keeda from child & a film journalist for the last fifteen years. a father, seeker, foodie who loves crooning bollywood melodies twitter.com/cineblues More By vishal verma