'Superboys of Malegaon' review—Adarsh Gourav is scene-stealer in heartfelt drama
What's the story
Reema Kagti's Superboys of Malegaon, based on an incredible true story and inspired by the documentary Supermen of Malegaon, was released on Friday.
The film has an unmissable old-school charm, a certain sense of romanticism, and stars a strong ensemble featuring Adarsh Gourav, Viineet Kumar Siingh, and Shashank Arora.
Heartfelt, well-acted, and well-plotted, it is a sure-shot tearjerker.
Plot
Follows a group of friends and their ambitions
The film follows a young videographer named Nasir (Gourav), who decides to direct movies featuring his friends and townsfolk.
He is supported by his friends Shafique (Arora) and Farogh (Siingh), and they start by making an uber-successful parody of Sholay.
One thing leads to the other, their homegrown film industry grows, and they venture into different kinds of films, while also tackling personal rivalries.
#1
Celebrates the power of storytelling
At its core, Superboys of Malegaon is a heartfelt, earnest drama that celebrates Bollywood, brotherhood, and the unifying power of cinema.
Once the lights are turned off inside the movie theater, it's just you, your thoughts, and the story on the screen—each frame brims with magic.
SOM celebrates this wonderful escapism as well as the incredible grit of Nasir and his friends.
#2
Gourav carries the film and how!
Gourav has always been an effortless, charming, and magnetic performer, commanding the screen in every project he is a part of, and Superboys of Malegaon is no different.
He gets splendid support from Siingh and Arora, and thanks to good writing, each actor gets abundant screentime to flex his artistic muscles.
Keep an eye out for an explosive confrontation scene between Nasir and Farogh.
#3
The world-building deserves special mention
You are easily drawn into this world; the characters seem believable and the actors have nailed the mannerisms and the local dialect.
Adorned with Bollywood posters, Malegaon is the kind of town that may have broken roads but not any broken dreams.
Its humor is another standout—I chuckled when a character gifted someone Gupt's DVD and then, out of spite, immediately spoiled its plot!
#4
However, it doesn't hit all the right notes
Superboys of Malegaon also leaves you with the feeling that something is constantly, sorely amiss.
Several sub-plots about the lead characters' personal lives are teased but not all of them are fully explored, leaving you unsatisfied and confused.
For instance, a track featuring Nasir and his first love is awkwardly placed, and the narrative would have been the same without it.
#5
Feels too rushed at times
Another major problem is that SOM seems to miss context majorly, especially in the first half, and you are left slightly clueless about the characters and the plot.
Superboys of Malegaon is painted in broad strokes in many sequences, and the lack of depth hurts it.
It feels rushed, too eager to convey its message, not stopping anywhere to pause, breathe, and reflect.
Verdict
You will enjoy watching it; 3/5 stars
Superboys of Malegaon works best as a human drama when it dissects the pitfalls of fame and how one friend's meteoric rise to success can trouble another.
It also underlines the betrayal that often seeps into friendships but does so without villainizing anyone.
All in all, Superboys of Malegaon is worth your time because of the way it celebrates the incredible courage to dream.
3/5 stars.