Passion drives cinema. Only with Reema Kagti’s new directorial Superboys of Malegaon, it’s not just the makers of the film whose ardour is evident but also those whose story she is telling. Based on the life of Nasir Shaikh and other amateur filmmakers in the Indian city of Malegaon, it is indeed an aspirational story of an underdog’s triumph. After the film’s world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival last year, where it moved audiences to tears, the makers are now ready for its India release.
At the virtual launch of the trailer, Reema shares how filmmaking is only a backdrop, and Superboys of Malegaon is more importantly about friendship. Indeed, as she herself hails from small town, inspirational tales of hinterland do have an extra allure for her. She states, “Small town is my comfort zone. However, if I feel a connection to a story, whatever be the odds, I will go ahead and find means to make it.”
Being authentic
Zoya Akhtar, whose Tiger Baby, along with brother Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, has produced the film, observes that they don’t go out of the way to make their films raw and real. She adds, “Rather authenticity is inbuilt in our cinema for it comes from a truth. We only make it cinematic, may be add a lie to it.” Of course, Nasir can only see truth in this celluloid adaptation of his life and is more than happy with BAFTA nominee actor Adarsh Gourav’s portrayal of him. Nasir says, “Adarsh has gone far beyond my expectations. Even before I could add anything to how he should play me, he would get it right as if he was reading my mind.” For Adarsh having Nasir around was a blessing, not because he wanted to imitate him, but hoped to understand the space from which Nasir’s dreams emanated and how he realised them.
Writer ‘baap hota hai’
While spending time with Nasir, Adarsh even asked his real character to make a film which Adarsh produced. Adarsh laughs, “A lot of meta things were happening around us.” Adarsh might be playing the main protagonist, however, he is not the only talented actor aboard the cast of the film. Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora and Anuj Singh Duhan play significant parts in this film written by Varun Grover. Some of the film’s dialogues like ‘writer baap hota hai’ drive home the importance of writers in the art of movie-making.
In answer to a query, Varun remarks tongue-in cheek, “I have always felt that writer’s role in cinema is very important, it is the first time I have verbalised it in so many words.” Talking about his writing process, Varun shares, “Even when characters are imaginary, as in a film like Masaan, we try to find reality in them. But here the big plus was having access to Nasir’s archives of his own life. He has preserved every small detail from press clippings to success parties of his films.” Hence in his words, “The film is not a by the numbers biopic, but one where emotional dimension was easy to tap into.” While etching out even the smallest of characters, he had the blockbuster Sholay in mind, where each small cameo was memorable. Incidentally, among the many hit movies that Nasir made was Malegaon Ke Sholay too.
Indefatigable spirit
Cinema of the people for the people of his town… whoever heard of such novel ideas? Precisely the reason why earlier his remarkable journey leapt into a documentary Supermen of Malegaon, and now has been frozen in the movie Superboys of Malegaon. In fact, Reema found many parallels, similar influences in her and Nasir’s story.
As she puts it, “It was heartening to know his trials and tribulations. While I moved from a small town to Bombay to make my dreams come true, he achieved it all living in the same town and even made spoofs which were relevant to his milieu.” Zoya sums up Nasir’s indefatigable spirit thus, “Grabbing any opportunity with both hands rather than waiting for others to show the way is the real essence of his zeal for making films.”
Come February 28, watch how Nasir and his friends’ enthusiasm captured the magic of cinema with limited resources.
