Superboys of Malegaon (2025) [Movie Review]: A Heartfelt Ode to Dreams, Friendship, and Filmmaking

Plot Summary

Superboys of Malegaon (dir. Reema Kagti) is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale inspired by the true story of amateur filmmakers in Malegaon (as chronicled in the 2008 documentary Supermen of Malegaon​ Spanning roughly 13 years from the late 1990s onward, it follows Nasir Shaikh (Adarsh Gourav) and his motley crew of friends – Shafique (Shashank Arora), Farogh (Vineet Kumar Singh), Akram (Anuj Singh Duhan) and others – as they struggle to keep their small video-parlor afloat. When Nasir is forced out of business, he gambles his savings on making homegrown spoof films (such as Malegaon ke Sholay) in the local language. Over years of filmmaking and friendship, the film charts the group’s optimism, setbacks, and creative highs in a tight-knit small-town setting. Watch the trailer of this movie (Superboys of Malegaon) also here!

Performances

The ensemble cast brings authenticity and warmth to the story. Gourav and Arora, in particular, “hit it out of the park,” blending Gourav’s quiet passion with Arora’s innocent sincerity. Gourav’s Nasir grows on the audience with subtle depth, while Shafique’s simple dream of flying (a scene beautifully shot by Sonawane underscores their youthful hope. Vineet Kumar Singh as Farogh, along with Anuj Singh Duhan and Saqib Ayub, provide strong support, and even smaller roles (Manjiri Pupala as Trupti, Muskaan Jaferi as Shabeena) are well-developed. Times of India praises Gourav, Arora, and Singh for delivering a “masterclass” of acting that gives each character rich substance. NDTV similarly notes the film is “fuelled by measured performances” that mix energy with restraint. This grounded, ensemble approach keeps the audience invested as the story soars.

Direction

Kagti co-wrote a brisk, linear script (spanning 1994→2004→2010) that packs a lot of events into a cohesive whole. She balances comedy and pathos effectively – reviewers call her handling “a classic rollercoaster,” mixing sobering reality with playful antics. Indeed, the narrative is fast-paced and never lags; one critic notes the film is “fast-paced and delightful” with “not a single moment…dull”. Kagti’s direction pays affectionate tribute to cinema itself (NDTV terms the result a “heartwarming ode to the movies”​) while remaining tuned to the characters’ modest dreams.

Cinematography

The film’s look captures Malegaon’s dusty charm and the magic of low-budget filmmaking. Swapnil S. Sonawane’s cinematography (credited alongside Parnil Vishwasrao) is praised for finding warmth and light in every frame. NDTV calls Sonawane’s work “unobtrusive but impeccable,” noting that even mundane town scenes have a carefully choreographed glow. The visual tone is naturalistic yet cinematic, helping to immerse viewers in the community’s world.

Music

The background score by Sachin–Jigar underscores the emotion without overwhelming it. Critics note that the music elevates key moments, especially romantic or heartbreaking scenes. Although the soundtrack is more subtle than flashy, it effectively supports Kagti’s nostalgic yet hopeful atmosphere. (The Times of India review gave the music a modest score, suggesting it complements rather than steals focus​).

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Overall Impact

Superboys of Malegaon is widely seen as an uplifting underdog story – a tribute to filmmaking that celebrates resilient dreamers. Critics applaud its strong ensemble and earnest tone: The Hollywood Reporter India calls it a crowd-pleaser with a “solid” cast and layered script, noting the perceptive soundtrack and logical pacing. Hindustan Times hails it as “an ode to cinema” with nuanced performances and brilliant technical work. The Times of India highlights how Nasir’s team become “Avengers” of their own lives, powered by resilience as they chase dreams in spite of adversity. Importantly, the film avoids clichés: Scroll. in observes that it sidesteps Malegaon’s real political strife, instead focusing on the characters’ shared passion – every major character in the story happens to be Muslim, a refreshing normalization according to critics. While some reviewers note the movie smooths over darker aspects of its setting, most agree it succeeds as an affectionate, crowd-pleasing saga about friendship and the love of cinema.