Superboys of Malegaon (2025) Review

Watching Superboys of Malegaon felt like stepping into a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of grassroots filmmaking. As someone who has dreamt of making films, I found myself deeply moved by its portrayal of passion and perseverance. The film's grounded narrative and authentic depiction of Malegaon's local film culture resonated profoundly, making it a compelling watch for cinephiles and even a section of general audiences. It’s not your usual massy entertainer this one is all heart, rooted in real stories, and filled with original, honest moments.

The story follows Nasir, played brilliantly by Adarsh Gourav, a wedding videographer in Malegaon who dreams of making a film with his friends using limited resources and boundless imagination. Alongside Farogh (Vineet Kumar Singh), Shafique (Shashank Arora), and Akram (Anuj Singh Duhan), he sets out to create parodies of Bollywood classics like Sholay . What struck me was their innovation using cycles as trolleys, filming in real, raw locations, and staying true to their surroundings. The movie doesn't shy away from showing internal conflicts that arise with fame, how writers are often sidelined, and how stories are altered for promotion. Despite that, it celebrates how hidden talent eventually finds its stage. It also offers a peek into how films are shot, even though editing isn’t heavily touched upon.

Visually, the film is a treat. Cinematographer Swapnil S. Sonawane captures the essence of Malegaon beautifully, with standout scenes like the circular lens perspective and the scooty ride through the jungle. The calm, emotional score by Sachin-Jigar is a lovely companion to the story. Director Reema Kagti, with writer Varun Grover, has built something honest and moving. It’s a big push to every indie filmmaker out there to keep chasing their passion, to make something meaningful even if the audience is small. Among that small group, this film shines like a true gem. The film has so much to show within two hours without getting messy. I connected emotionally with many characters, and by the time it ended, I had happy tears. It’s a film I’ll remember, and one that deserves to be called a future cult classic.

Rating:★★★★ (4/5)

Did You Know?

• Superboys of Malegaon is inspired by the 2008 documentary Supermen of Malegaon, which chronicled the lives of real amateur filmmakers from the town.
•  The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and received a standing ovation.
• It earned a Special Mention in the Young Cineastes category at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival.
• It was awarded Best Film at the inaugural National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA).

Note:

You can stream the film on Amazon Prime Video : Stream Here

Watch the trailer :Watch Here.