Superboys of Malegaon

I just came out of an extremely bittersweet "special screening" of Superboys of Malegaon. The movie was simply fantastic with a perfect mix of heartwarming emotional drama and sweet realistic humor, augmented by terrific performances by an exceptional group of actors. The bitter part of the experience was the aspect of the "special screening" of the movie. Sitting absolutely alone in a theater on the opening weekend of a truly amazing piece of cinema. A beautifully crafted movie that deserves an audience, had absolutely no audience. Such a shame especially in a world where so many complaint about lack of originality, art and quality cinema.

Reema Kagti has done a terrific job making a movie about fans who love movies so much that they make their own movies. The story is based on the true story of the real Superboys of Malegaon who created their own mini film industry (un)known for its spoof comedies of great Bollywood and Hollywood movies. These Superboys first (almost) came into the limelight with the 2012 documentary "Supermen of Malegaon" which inspired Reema and team to bring their story to life on the big screen.

The movie is fast and entertaining with a healthy dose of scenes and performances that will make its viewer smile a lot, feel warm and good inside, think about things that are important in their lives and even tear up a bit. A simple and powerful story, passionately captured on camera with a superb group of artists infusing their characters with heart and soul.

Adarsh Gourav gives another exceptional performance as the movie's main superboy and is brilliantly supported by Vineet Kumar, Shashank Arora, Muskkaan Jaferi, Manjiri Pupala and practically every actor and actress in the movie. Each performance is truly heartfelt, real, wholesome, uplifting and awe inspiring. Which is why it was such a bittersweet experience watching such a well made movie in an empty theater.

It would be absolutely correct for people to say that such movies are meant for OTT and not for the big screen. However it is important for all to understand and recognize that this is the reason why such heartwarming movies cant find any place in theaters anymore. The Bollywood box office has completely transformed itself from a place where a big budget Ramesh Sippy blockbuster could play side by side with a heartwarming Hrishikesh Mukherjee movie to one that only has an appetite for over the top commercial cinema.

Such movies need and deserve support from their target audience. So if you want to experience a heartwarming tale about real people with dreams to become superheroes, grab a seat in the nearest empty hall near you that is still playing Superboys of Malegaon. It will not disappoint. Absolutely loved it. 9/10.

Reema Kagti's Superboys of Malegaon is a story based on a real-life group of friends in Malegaon who one day decide to make their own film. The film is an absolute love letter to cinema, yet its core theme revolves around friendship. Varun Grover has written the film and has done a very good job. The dialogues are clever and touching, while the humor is brilliant. If you are a fan of 70s cinema, you will appreciate the comedy even more. However, there are some letdowns in the screenplay, particularly due to tonal shifts in the second half and certain conflicts being treated too casually. Yet, the film makes up for it with a beautiful climax. The production design, costume, and makeup departments have done an excellent job, while the cinematography stands out. The score of the film is a hit and a miss.

The casting is excellent. Adarsh Gourav plays the young boy who dreams of making his own film and delivers a avery good performance. Vineet, as the struggling writer, excels in emotional sequences. The rest of the Superboys and the girls, including Anuj Singh, Saqib Ayub, and Muskkaan, provide solid support. However,the true show-stealer is Shashank Arora, who gives an incredibly innocent and heartfelt performance. The friendship between his character and Adarsh's is portrayed as selfless love, culminating in a brilliant payoff. As the end credits roll and you hear a fellow audience member say, "Iss type ki picture banti rahe,aap apne dosto ko batao ye dekhne ko," you know the film has struck the right chord. Highly recommended!

OVERALL -8/10.

Set in the late 90s in the dusty lanes of Malegaon, a small town in Maharashtra, Superboys of Malegaon tells the story of Nasir Shaikh, a wedding videographer who's losing business but not hope. When he decides to make his own films - spoofs of Bollywood blockbusters - with his gang of friends, it kicks off a journey that's as chaotic as it is charming.

They have no money, no fancy cameras, no formal training - just an unmatched love for movies, desi-level jugaad, and friendship that carries them through every setback. What they create isn't perfect, but it's theirs - full of heart, humor, and hustle.

From building a dolly with bicycle parts to casting local boys in hero roles, every moment of filmmaking becomes an act of rebellion - against the system, against expectations, and sometimes even against themselves. As their "film" comes to life, so does their sense of identity and purpose.

I've taken a break from writing reviews due to my busy schedule, but my love for movies remains strong. Recently, I heard great reviews about Super Boys of Malegaon and made an effort to watch it-what a remarkable film! Undoubtedly one of the best in recent years, it's an impactful masterpiece, much like 12th Fail.

Director Reema Kakati once again proves her brilliance after Talash and Dahaad, showcasing her impeccable storytelling. The performances were outstanding, with special mentions to my favorites-Vineet Kumar Singh, Adarsh Gourav, and Shashank Arora. Kudos to writer Varun Grover for another stellar job-I also miss your stand-ups!

Don't let its box office numbers deter you; this is the kind of cinema that keeps our love for movies alive. We need more films like this!

It's refreshing to watch stories of real people of India. Our country is so diverse and has a rich culture. If we actually start searching, we'd find unbelievable stories of people which can move people. This movie is an attempt towards that. Hoping more bollywood directors would get inspired and make more movies like this.

I'm so done with mass entertainment movies. They seem like replica of each other and there's nothing original about them.

At the same time, audience needs to watch and support such cinema. It was sad to see a nearly empty theatre.

All the actors did an amazing job :) Highly recommended!