Director Reema Kagti once again turns her focus to a fascinating story with the dramedy Superboys of Malegaon. The film had its world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival last week. At the end of the screening, the audience erupted with cheers and a standing ovation. Produced by Excel Entertainment aka Ritesh Sidhwani & Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar & Reema Kagti’s Tiger Baby production house, along with Amazon MGM, this charming and moving tale stars Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora.
The film is based on the real-life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from the town of Malegaon. The town’s residents look to Bollywood for a much-needed escape, which forms the story’s base. Nasir gets inspired to make a film for the people of Malegaon, by the people of Malegaon. He bands together his ragtag group of friends to bring his visions to life. But then egos clash, ideas differ, and the team fades to black. Life moves on, but then for one last film, one last hope, they come together again to make Superman of Malegaon. Brimming with comedy, adventure, and colorful characters, Superboys of Malegaon is a testament to the magic created when imagination is matched with resourcefulness, loyalty, and lots of love.
Let’s set the stage with the trailer.
While watching the film, I kept thinking I know, I know this story. I went back to look at my earlier articles. I found an interview I did with the director of a documentary, Faiza Ahmad Khan’s Supermen of Malegaon, about Nasir and the films back in 2012.
Superboys of Malegaon expands that tale and the world even more. What I find so interesting is that it is a feature film but also has a documentary mindset. We are there within the world but also watching the players within it. It is fascinating and such a terrific way to tell a story. That melding of the two styles makes this really unique. Reema Kagti always knows how to get to the heart of the piece, and with this film and how she has framed it, she does that with élan.
One of the remarkable moments is that the film starts with Nasir editing together the films of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Bruce Lee to create a new cinema for the town, and they are a huge hit. I loved how this was presented in the film, how we saw him get the idea, his editing process, and the joy the audiences got from watching his versions created with scenes from these classic films. He then decides it’s time for the Sholay-Malegaon style, which is brilliant. Nasir makes more until the final movie, but you must experience that as you watch this fantastic film.
A highlight is that Superboys Of Malegaon is films within a film because you see them shooting their movies. Seeing how they wrote the scripts, created the costumes, cast the roles, and especially shot the more complicated shots (a bicycle as a steady cam rig) is captivating. You are watching them make the films, but you are also there as part of the film. Again, it shows Kagti’s talent as a writer and filmmaker to present a story onscreen. The camera work of shooting a film shooting a film and then the scenes within the town was unique. The camera became a character in the movie, which made it even more immersive.
We have to talk about one of the last scenes when they are screening the ‘Superman of the Malegaon’ film. There is a look between Nasir and Shafique across the theatre that is so moving I teared up. This moment is juxtaposed against the audience, who are in awe of seeing Superman fly on screen. It is a brilliant moment that I will never ever forget. It shows the Artistry, yes, with a capital A, of Kagti’s films.
Also, you know a film will be good when the first notes of the soundtrack hit you, and you love it already. It begins when you enter this world; the music already has you entirely there. The excellence of the music runs through the entire movie. The composers Sachin-Jigar created the perfect soundtrack to this tale with a beat that lives and breathes the town and the characters’ energies. I loved every note, and besides the movie itself, this music has stayed with me long after the last measure faded.
The performances, from the lead actors to the supporting parts, are excellent and so real on the reel. You are never taken out of the story, even when watching them make almost a spoof of some classic films.
Adarsh Gourav as Nasir is superb. He is Nasir; he is not playing a character on screen. Even in the quiet moments, he has this energy that leaps off the screen. But it is his eyes; they are the world to his soul, and we get lost in them. He is marvelous.
Shashank Arora as Shafique is outstanding! He has this desperation in his eyes and also his body somehow that you can literally feel in the beginning and especially the end of the film. His moments of looking at the plane flying in the sky is so expressive – just that simple moment shows how brilliant he is. His skill at being present as Shafique in every moment is fantastic. It is one of the film’s best performances among many great actors. He is the Superman of Malegaon, and I applaud his talent that is showcased in this role.
Vineet Singh, as Farogh, is excellent as the wordsmith who wants to make art. He completely encompasses Farogh, and his performance is so raw. You feel his desire and frustration for more. This is another applause-worthy performance that makes this film even better.
Superboys of Malegaon is a brilliant, poignant, yet uplifting take on filmmaking and friendship that will have you crying and cheering. I certainly did. Bravo to the entire cast and Reema Kagti. To be honest, I actually did stand at my computer applauding this magnificent piece of film.
I highly recommend Superboys of Malegaon.
