I saw Superboys of Malegaon last October, a month after its world premiere at TIFF in 2024. It’s finally being released in theaters this weekend and I’m thrilled that audiences will be able to see this fun, uplifting movie based on a true story.

Directed by Reema Kagti, the movie focuses on Nasir Shaikh and a group of amateur filmmakers from Malegaon, a quaint town in Maharashtra, India. Nasir’s tale has been adapted before in Faiza Ahmad Khan‘s 2012 documentary, Supermen of Malegaon, but Kagti delves deeper into Nasir’s journey with this fictional biopic featuring Adarsh Gourav as Nasir. He’s a film buff running a struggling video store that also serves as a makeshift movie theater in the late ’90s. Like many in his town, Nasir turns to films for a much-needed break from the grind of everyday life.

The aspiring director creates hand-spliced mash-ups of classic action flicks, blending the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. When authorities shut his mashup projects down because of copyright infringement, he decided to make his own original movies with the help of his friends, including idealistic writer Farogh (Vineet Kumar Singh) and his supportive bestie Shafique (Shashank Arora). Their first effort, a satire of the 1975 Hindi action-adventure Sholay, becomes a surprise hit. Success beckons as Nasir & co. make more movies inspired by other Hindi classic hits like Shaan and Rangeela. Nasir soon gets more opportunities to make movies, but unsurprisingly, success isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

As Nasir’s dreams start to unfold, he finds himself at odds with his friends who feel left out and overlooked. They think Nasir is ‘selling out’ by collaborating with a local star who has a tight hold on his creative vision. Nasir gets into an intense disagreement with Farogh, who’s fed up with the same old routine and decides to head to Mumbai to carve out his own path. However, the reality of the big city isn’t as glamorous as it seems when he finds out it takes months just to score a meeting with a top producer.

The script, co-written by Kagti and Varun Grover touches upon so many interesting aspects that are both relatable and aspirational. It’s inspiring to watch Nasir take his life challenges, including a failed romance, and turn them into actions leading to surprising twists. The three main actors Gourav, Singh, and Arora are all excellent and believable in their roles, but other members of the group, notably the hunky and intense Anuj Singh Duhan as the budding cinematographer Akram.

Being a film buff, I find it fascinating how the story dives into the dual nature of showbiz, showcasing the trade-offs made for profit alongside the grueling work that goes into indie films purely for the love of the craft. Yet it’s friendship that remains the central theme here. A grim diagnosis for one of the key characters ends up bringing the band back together. In keeping with the title, the finale serves as a nod to their bond, a sincere gesture of unity that really hits home.

Yes, it’s predictable, even for those who haven’t seen the documentary. But Kagti’s vibrant direction makes this such a joy to watch, an immersive experience from start to finish. The movie is in the Hindi language, it’s energetic and lively, using fun song choices and upbeat music by Sachin-Jigar. The tone is light and playful, making it a blast to watch while still diving into some poignant topics.

I have an affinity for movies that serve as love letters to cinema, such as Singin’ in the Rain, Cinema Paradiso, The Artist, La La Land, etc. Superboys of Malegaon is a memorable addition to this subgenre, lending a fresh voice to society’s underdogs. Another strength is its global appeal to reach diverse audiences with its universal themes of camaraderie and a strong passion for cinema. You should definitely check this out in a theater; it’s the type of feel-good movie that’s way more fun to watch with a big audience.

Superboys of Malegaon is out in theaters this weekend and will be streaming on Prime Video following its theatrical run.

What are your thoughts about this movie?

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