Superboys of Malegaon is a heartwarming exploration of the power of dreams and the magic of filmmaking, set against the backdrop of a small town with big aspirations. Directed by Reema Kagti and produced by Zoya Akhtar, the film delves into the life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker whose passion for cinema transforms both his life and the lives of those around him.
The film brilliantly captures the essence of Malegaon, a town where Bollywood films offer an escape from the harsh realities of daily life. Nasir’s journey, from a man with limited resources to a visionary who builds a local film industry, is portrayed with authenticity and charm. The camaraderie among Nasir and his friends is at the heart of the story, illustrating how friendship and creativity can thrive even in the face of adversity.
Kagti’s direction, combined with Varun Grover’s deeply researched screenplay, brings depth and realism to the narrative. The casting is spot on, with actors embodying the spirit of Malegaon’s residents, making the characters relatable and endearing.
The film also stands out for its ability to convey multiple layers of meaning—from the magic of cinema to the importance of following one’s dreams. It’s an inspiring story that leaves a lasting impact, reminding viewers that even in the most challenging circumstances, creativity and friendship can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Superboys of Malegaon is not just a film about making movies; it’s a celebration of the human spirit, making it a must-watch for anyone who believes in the transformative power of art.
Directed by Reema Kagti
Written by Varun Grover
Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and Farhan Akhtar
Starring Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora
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#tiff24 Screenings
Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9:30PM at the Roy Thomson Hall – World Premiere Gala Presentation
Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 12:00PM at the TIFF Lightbox Cinema 1
Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 1:30PM at Scotiabank Theater
IN CONVERSATION WITH DIRECTOR REEMA KAGTI
What inspired you to make Superboys of Malegaon?
Nasir’s story is a testament to the power of cinema. His journey into low budget amateur film-making is incredible. He had very little to work with but eventually created a thriving video film industry in Malegaon. It was complete with their own distribution and exhibition network through video parlours. Nasir is a very inspirational man.
How is Superboys of Malegaon different from the original documentary? What are the key
highlights that make this film unique?
The film covers over a decade of Nasir’s life while the documentary is primarily centered around the making of one of his films ‘Supermen of Malegaon’. The film follows how Nasir started out and what were the catalysts that led him to filmmaking.
What kind of research and groundwork did you undertake while developing the film and did
it help to influence the film’s narrative and add depth to the story?
Screenwriter Varun Grover spent a lot of time in Malegaon extensively researching Nasir and all the people in the story which no doubt has added a lot of depth and realism to the narrative. Apart from that the cast and crew also spent time in Malegaon and with Nasir and other characters because we wanted to be authentic to the people and place.
Given that Superboys of Malegaon highlights the passion of Malegaon’s residents for
filmmaking amidst the struggle and challenges they faced, what can the audience expect
from its storyline and portrayal of these themes?
Superboys of Malegaon is a story about filmmaking and friendship colliding to create a powerful end result. It’s about a bunch of guys who didn’t have much but created something stunning from that, against all odds.
Portraying real-life characters on screen is not an easy task. How did you go about casting
the actors to bring a realistic feel to the film?
Casting directors Nandini Shrikent and Karan Mally made my life pretty easy. They did auditions with an exhaustive list of actors and shortlisted the ones that clicked. Once we felt an actor fit the part we did call backs, alone and with other actors. Then we did workshops. Aleem who is a character in the movie came in to train the actors with their diction. Hair, makeup and wardrobe departments all did their own research and referencing which went a long way in lending authenticity to the portrayal.
How did it feel to have Superboys of Malegaon selected at the 49th Toronto International
Film Festival?
It feels wonderful to be selected for TIFF. My cast and crew and I have really worked hard on this and I am grateful to showcase our work on such a large global platform.
Is there any message you would like to convey to the audience, given that the film is about
friends who come up with the idea of making their own movies without any guidance or a
big budget?
The film conveys a strong message to follow your dreams and not be daunted by adversity or a lack of resources.
IN CONVERSATION WITH PRODUCER ZOYA AKHTAR
How did the idea of Superboys of Malegaon come to you and why did you choose to move
forward with this inception?
I met Nasir at a film festival in 2011 or 2012, before which I had seen the documentary and loved it. When I met Nasir, I realized there was much more to this story than what was covered in the
documentary, and that’s where the journey began.
Tiger Baby Films is known for its diverse depiction of storytelling, All your projects are very
different from each other but there is a unique yet similar form of rawness as how you
present it.
Do you make a valiant effort to keep it relatable and raw?
Reema and I are interested in all kinds of stories and want to be able to tell all kinds of stories. The thing is, I don’t think we make a special effort to be relatable or raw. I think we make an effort to be as true and authentic to a particular story that we pick to tell because that's the only way it will get relatable, I think the effort is to be honest.
What are the challenges you faced while making this movie?
The challenges were those that come with any period film because there’s been so much development that’s happened in the time since. Locations were a big challenge. From the time the film got greenlit to the time Reema went on the floor was a very short period, so the prep was pretty compressed, which was challenging. Additionally, getting the archival footage from the studios was a bit tough. Besides that, all was good.
What is the message from this movie that you want the viewers to take away?
I think there are multi-layered messages in this film. The biggest one for me is the magic of the movies. But I am from the industry, so I respond to that. I respond to the artist in them the most. Movies lift you up. They take you beyond your reality. They make dreams come true. I think that’s one message that comes out. The message of friendship, their bond, and what you can do for another. The other message that comes through is that if you follow your dream, if you chase what you’re after, somewhere you will make a dent. However small, it will be your dent, and it will be a dent that is there forever. You will not be missed.
🎬✨ From small-town dreams to big-screen magic—Superboys of Malegaon is a must-watch! 🌟
