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London Film Festival 2024 – Superboys Of Malegaon ★★★★

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Released: TBC (London Film Festival)

Director: Reema Kagti

Starring: Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora

A non-Bollywood love affair with cinema within the town of Malegaon, just over 280km from Mumbai, provides a unique topic as a coming of age tale within the riveting saga that is the Superboys of Malegaon. Just as Cinema Paradiso put Sicily on the map and was Italy’s homage to the craft of the cinema projectionist and a charming small town cinema providing an escape from reality, Superboys of Malegaon transports this admiration of film to a video shop owned by Nasir’s parents in which he can showcase his appreciation of film with Buster Keaton screenings. However, Nasir’s ambition extends beyond merely screening other people’s films, enlisting his friends in a filmmaking project. The result is both a compelling coming of age story and a history lesson through the various stages of the Indian film industry, beyond its Mumbai capital, and is bound to leave audiences with a warm glow.

Loosely based on the life of actor Nasir Shaikh, the filmmaking process in its glory is showcased by Nasir and friends. He starts by producing creative editing mash ups of Bruce Lee films and Buster Keaton to the fellow townsfolk’s amusement, providing plenty of light entertainment in the video store away from the banality of life.

Nasir changes tack and adopts a directorial role which permits his ambitions to propel him forward to the making of his own film. It is delightful watching the simple pleasure they all derive from producing the film and Nasir’s friends casually adopt writer, acting and producing credits. However, the film remains cautiously optimistic and aligns with those warnings about the perils of working with family and friends. Interestingly, the roles providing the most conflict appear to be that of the writer against Nasir’s direction. Farogh, the writer, wishes to expand by providing original stories, believing that ‘respect is more important than money’. Whereas Nasir harbours desires for commercial success, recognising the need for further funding and investors.

Director Reema Kagti’s directorial vision excels in emphasising how much cinema transforms the life of these boys. Some of them find love and others battle adversity through their love of film, which is uplifting to observe. Kagti also takes the time to zoom in on the reactions of the audience whilst watching Nasir’s rudimentary filmmaking attempts and the joy exudes from the audiences faces as the camera pans the video store. Yet, Kagti presents a multi-faceted story without being a bleak tale of poverty, à la Slum Dog Millionaire. Instead, there is a celebration of a seemingly rags to riches story without glossing over adversity and life’s challenges as the friendship between the boys is subjected to pressure and highs and lows.

Fascinatingly, Kagti does not provide a defined hero, despite a character donning a Superman cape, or a black and white solution, which produces a richer narrative, but chooses to highlight solidarity within this crowd pleaser. She also deftly inserts strong female characters in to the dynamics who refuse to remain in the shadows and want to have equity within the film world, despite the inherent patriarchal structures surrounding their lives. Kagti therefore presents a slice of life alongside the mise-en-abyme filming antics and implicitly celebrates aspects of Malegaon’s culture. The ritual of sharing food certainly seems to be a focal point for Nasir and friends and throughout the town and so it is best not to watch this film whilst hungry!

Superboys of Malageon is an enjoyable, well-made film that will appeal to all of the senses and to all audiences. There are likable performances throughout with impressive direction from Kagti. Adarsh Gourav radiates as the passionate Nasir who undertakes this new journey which unexpectedly transforms his life but also introduces a degree of turbulence tinged with triumph. Superboys of Malageon encourages us to reach for those stars in the pursuit of our career ideals but reminds us not to forget our friends and not to ultimately lose our identity in the process. Superboys of Malegaon is a sleeper festival hit that is a feel-good must-see worth adding to your watch lists!

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