In a particular scene, one of the film’s main characters Farooq (Vineet Kumar Singh), a struggling writer, tells a producer, “if it’s made well, people will watch it!” He says this in response to the producer rejecting his movie pitch because the latter feels the audience-at-large is not interested in watching ordinary people on the big screen. It’s not quite what “sells,” he believes firmly. Farooq is understandably left disheartened, both in real life (more on that later) and on reel as we see his story unfold. But Reema Kagti, the director of this very scene, successfully proves that Farooq was in fact right. “Superboys of Malegaon,” helmed by Kagti and written by Varun Grover, is a fascinating, real-life tale of a group of ordinary, small-town boys chasing and achieving extraordinary dreams. There is no star power attached — not in the cast nor in the characters emulated — no fancy frills or over-dramatized plot twists yet it’s a sheer delight to watch; a truly immersive experience that is quite the tear-jerker because of how true to life it is.
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Set in Malegaon, a small town in Maharashtra, known more for its rapidly-growing power loom industry than for its cinematic prowess, the film follows the life of a local film enthusiast Nasir Sheikh (played by Adarsh Gourav) whose love for cinema transcends all languages, expertise and, to some extent, even logic. He insists on showcasing the works of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin at his family-owned movie theater even if ticket sales aren’t the most promising. Until a declining business, and a police ban on his rather ‘experimental methods’ of attracting audience attention, drive him and his friends, including Shabbir (Shashank Arora) and Farooq, to create what many in their situation would only dare to dream: films. Films produced locally featuring friends, community members, and everyday workers, with no acting background whatsoever; films made on shoestring budgets using homemade props and meager resources. But films that were full of imagination, creativity and humor. And films that became hugely successful in their quaint little town, grabbing eyeballs and securing a special status in India’s vast and boisterous film industry.
What truly makes their endeavor so unique and captivating though, is the way Nasir and his crew dedicate themselves to the art of filmmaking, to make their collective dream come to life in spite of their day-to-day struggles. The bond they share, the trajectories that follow the path they choose and how their friendship brings them all back together regardless of the highs and lows. “Superboys of Malegaon” is not a film that just offers a behind-the-scenes look at the spirit of grassroots filmmaking in a small town in India, it’s a raw portrayal of passion, emotions, creativity, and friendship.
Real-life experiences can be fairly challenging to recreate on screen. And given how bizarre Nasir and his friends’ antics are, it’s easy to find yourself treading the slippery slope of mockery. But Kagti doesn’t patronize their efforts nor does she romanticize their struggle. Instead, she celebrates their creativity born out of necessity, with wonderful moments of hope, humor and ingenuity that come through very organically. What sets “Superboys of Malegaon” apart is its focus on the people, not the product. The film is less about the technicalities of filmmaking, or the lack thereof, and more about the human spirit behind it. There’s an infectious joy in seeing these filmmakers laugh at themselves, yet continue with unabated enthusiasm. Kagti’s direction is also unobtrusive, allowing the subjects to take center stage as she captures their triumphs, frustrations and unwavering optimism.
Gourav does complete justice to Nasir’s portrayal on screen. The depth of his research into the character is evident in how comfortably he slips in Nasir’s shoes making every frame, every emotion so believable. But the real star of the show is Shashank Arora with his understated performance as the loyal friend Shabbir who never stops seeing the good in Nasir, and/or the value of his contributions, even when arrogance gets the best of him. It’s tragic that the real Shabbir is not here to see his sincerity and loyalty being admired on the world stage through what is a brilliant representation and ode to his life.
The only drawback is the slow pacing of the film. And while a slow pace isn’t necessarily a flaw and can at times lend much-needed emotional intensity to the plot, it doesn’t do the film any favors here. Instead, it only ends up losing the momentum gathered. And it’s more to do with an urge to cover and over-explain the whole length and breadth of the story at heart, a tendency also apparent in Kagti’s earlier works. Regardless, the narrative is still engaging purely for its ability to resonate with anyone who has ever dared to dream and anyone with a love for cinema.
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Reema Kagti has crafted a touching, humorous, and deeply human portrayal of resilience, ambitions and unrelenting passion in the face of adversity. The film offers a refreshing reminder that cinema, at its core, is about telling stories, no matter the budget or the tools available. “Superboys of Malegaon” will leave you with a smile on your face and tears in your eyes.
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