Super Boys of Malegaon – A Tale of Friendship and the Indomitable Spirit of Creation

By Shanti Swaroop Tripathi

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Farhan Akhtar
Writer: Varun Grover (Screenplay), Shoaib Zulfi Nazir (Dialogues)
Director: Reema Kagti
Cast: Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, Muskan Jafferi, Manjiri Pupala
Duration: 2 hours 11 minutes

Background

Malegaon, a town in Maharashtra, is home to a predominantly Muslim community and is known for its weaving industry. In 1997, a group of young men from Malegaon started their own local film industry by creating parody films. Their work gained global recognition when filmmaker Faiza Ahmad Khan released the 2008 documentary Superman of Malegaon. Now, director Reema Kagti brings Super Boys of Malegaon, a film inspired by that documentary, set to hit theaters on February 28.

This film, which highlights the magic of cinema, reaffirms the power of friendship and the universality of dreams—reminding us that aspirations have no copyright or boundaries.

Story

The film is set in 1997 in Malegaon and revolves around an ambitious yet amateur filmmaker, Nasir Sheikh (played by Adarsh Gourav). Nasir co-owns a local movie theater called Prince, where he also works as a wedding videographer, honing his editing skills. Unlike traditional theaters, Prince screens films through cassette tapes rather than film prints, earning the nickname parlor.

Here, Hollywood action movies are humorously re-edited into comedy mashups and screened for local audiences. Nasir, having learned this technique from Nashik, brings his creative vision to Malegaon. While other theaters in the town play Bollywood films filled with popular songs, Prince showcases classic silent films like those of Buster Keaton.

A police raid over copyright infringement halts these action-comedy screenings, putting the theater’s survival at risk. In response, Nasir and his best friend, struggling writer Farogh (Vineet Kumar Singh), hatch an unusual plan.

Nasir decides to use his second-hand video camera to create a parody of Bollywood’s iconic film Sholay, reimagining its action sequences in Malegaon’s dusty lanes and humble homes. With the help of his close-knit group—Akram (Anuj Singh Duhan), Shafiq (Shashank Arora), loom worker Irfan (Saqib Ayub), and Urdu teacher Aleem (Pallav Singh)—they begin production on Malegaon Ki Sholay.

Reportedly made on a budget of ₹30,000, the film goes on to earn ₹3 lakh, boosting Nasir’s confidence as a filmmaker. However, his growing ambition also invites ridicule from critics, and he loses his love, Mallika (Riddhi Kumar), who gives in to societal expectations and marries someone chosen by her father. Ironically, Nasir ends up filming her wedding as the videographer.

Determined to continue, Nasir plans to parody another Bollywood classic, Shaan, but Farogh insists on creating something original. This disagreement leads to their fallout, and Farogh moves to Mumbai to pursue his dream of becoming a screenwriter. Meanwhile, in Malegaon, Nasir produces another parody, but both friends face setbacks in their careers.

Nasir then attempts to adapt a popular local play into a film, but it fails, forcing him to shut down Prince Parlor. Left with no choice, he starts spending his days at a restaurant, and his filmmaking dreams seem to fade away.

However, tragedy unexpectedly reunites Nasir, Farogh, and their entire group. This time, they come together to create Superman of Malegaon, a film that becomes a landmark in Malegaon’s cinematic history. It redefines friendship, hope, and self-belief.

Review

Super Boys of Malegaon captures the true magic of cinema. It’s a heartwarming story of friendship and an unbreakable creative spirit. The film beautifully portrays resilience and the courage to turn the impossible into reality. It reinforces the idea that dreams can come true, despite the challenges life throws at us.

Beyond Malegaon’s local parody films, the film also presents the deeply personal journeys of its characters—people so consumed by their passion for cinema that they sometimes lose relationships along the way. More importantly, it highlights why people make films and how cinema has the power to bring communities together. It challenges myths and stereotypes while celebrating the pioneers of Malegaon’s film industry.

Varun Grover’s writing and Reema Kagti’s direction breathe life into the film. It blends humor with life’s harsh realities and emotions, capturing the human experience in its entirety. Kagti masterfully portrays Nasir Sheikh’s vulnerabilities—his love for his friends, his caring nature, yet his ego, insecurities, and occasional selfishness. Meanwhile, Farogh’s struggles in Mumbai serve as a reflection of the countless writers who face continuous rejection in the film industry.

Technical Aspects

• Cinematography: Swapnil S. Sonawane and Parnil Vyasrao’s cinematography is visually stunning.
• Production Design: Sally White’s set design is spot-on, bringing authenticity to the story.

Performances

• Adarsh Gourav delivers a spectacular performance as Nasir Sheikh. Having previously impressed in My Name is Khan and The White Tiger, he once again proves his versatility.
• Vineet Kumar Singh shines as Farogh, bringing depth to a character who refuses to compromise his artistic integrity. In real life, Vineet is also a writer who values authenticity over commercial success.
• Shashank Arora as Shafiq makes a strong impact, his subtle expressions adding charm to the film.
• Anuj Singh Duhan as Akram is hilarious, adding comic relief.
• Muskan Jafferi as Nasir’s fiancée, Shabina, delivers a convincing performance.
• Manjiri Pupala as Tripti, a heroine who travels from Nashik to Malegaon and brings her diva attitude along, is delightful to watch.
• Saqib Ayub, Gyanendra Tripathi, and Pallav Singh provide decent support in their respective roles.

Final Verdict

Super Boys of Malegaon is a must-watch for those who believe in the magic of storytelling and the power of dreams. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the unsung heroes of Malegaon’s film industry—people who dared to dream and brought cinema to life with minimal resources.

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