Netflix’s ‘White Tiger‘ star Adarsh Gourav is gearing up to charm audiences once again with his new film, Superboys of Malegaon. The trailer has been creating waves on social media, showcasing Gourav’s character Nasir Shaikh‘s passion for becoming a filmmaker in Malegaon. It makes you root for Nasir who is certain he’s destined for cinematic greatness. But did you know this movie is actually an adaptation of an existing documentary called ‘Supermen of Malegaon’?
Superboys Of Malegaon: What’s The Real Story?
‘Superboys of Malegaon‘ is set to release in theaters in January 2025. Directed by Reema Kagti, the film is inspired by the true story of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from Malegaon, Maharashtra. The movie explores the chronicles of Nasir’s journey & the experiences of other aspiring filmmakers in the tier-3 city of Malegaon who share a passion for creating films despite limited resources.
‘Superboy of Malegaon’ features a stellar cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Anuj Singh Duhan, Shashank Arora, Saqib Ayub, Muskkaan Jaferi, and Manjiri Pupala among others.
What inspired Reema Kagti’s film? It was an original documentary movie called ‘Supermen of Malegaon‘ that was released 12 years ago. This OG film is available on YouTube.
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Exploring Malegaon’s OG Film Magic
Supermen of Malegaon was shot over seven months in 2008. It was never meant to be released as a movie and was originally made as a documentary for a Singapore TV channel. The film was released on June 29, 2012 on YouTube. It was based on the life of zero-budget local filmmaker Nasir Shaikh‘s passion, jugaad, and struggles.
Written & directed by Faiza Ahmad Khan on a shoestring budget, it follows Nasir and his crew as they create a Bollywood adaptation with limited resources. The film captures their journey of reimagining the iconic ‘Sholay’ in the tier-3 city which was a huge hit as ‘Malegaon ke Sholay’. From creating spoofs of Bollywood films to working on chroma for their Superman film, this documentary captures their filmmaking prowess.
Supermen of Malegaon provides an intriguing insight into the creativity and dedication of the city’s people, who use humour and creativity to rise above their challenges. The place is marked by communal tensions, economic challenges, & a unique spirit of resilience. In this environment, locals have turned to filmmaking as a creative outlet & a means to escape their struggles. This documentary won many prestigious awards and recognition across the globe.
Bringing The OG In The Spotlight 🔦
Days after the release of Reema Kagti’s movie trailer, Balram Vishwakarma (the renowned pop-culture voice & creator of Andheri West Shitposting) recalled watching the original documentary shot on a VHS camera. He considers it to be amongst the top 10 docu-films he’s watched. Talking about the OG film, he shared an interesting anecdote.
Vishwakarma recalled a college friend recommending a desi ripoff of Superman, Malegaon ka Superman. However, Balram ended up watching the OG Supermen of Malegaon by mistake (mission failed successfully). This mix-up led to an eye-opening experience, as he discovered the fascinating world of Malegaon’s no-budget film industry.
For the Aspiring Writers, Take Notes!
Balram Vishwakarma also shared a memorable insight from the OG documentary: “I can’t make time (or the script meetings) because of work. All of us have jobs. A job means food, and food means being able to walk. If you can walk, you can go (to the script meeting).” This message connects with many aspiring writers who juggle their regular jobs with their creative ambitions. It serves as a reminder of the commitment needed to pursue dreams while handling daily responsibilities.
Balram Urges You To Watch The Supermen First
Before you watch the Superboys of Malegaon, Vishwakarma recommends watching the original Supermen of Malegaon. “It’s one of the best documentaries I’ve seen. For those interested in understanding the roots of the film’s concept, the OG documentary is available on YouTube and offers a valuable context to appreciate the new film,” said Vishwakarma.
While “Superboys of Malegaon” has certainly captured attention with its trailer, the debate over its originality adds a layer of what’s so great about it? The connection to “Supermen of Malegaon” signifies creative inspiration & homage.
Revisiting the original documentary provides a deeper appreciation of Malegaon’s rich filmmaking culture. Whether you’re a fan of Adarsh Gourav or simply curious about the world of no-budget films, both movies offer unique insights into the art of storytelling.
Have you watched the OG film yet? Let us know in the comments below!
