User Reviews

This movie is so funny, moving, charming, intelligent - such a totally engaging illustration of the never-old truth that wit, ambition, creativity, and ingenuity can turn up anyplace at any time.

In a poor and, to most of the rest of the world, not-known part of India, some people make, screen, and enjoy their own low-budget, high-effort versions of famous movies, from Bollywood and, in the adventure narrated here, Hollywood - in this one they're filming the story of Superman, re-presented as a local superhero, retaining of course his distinctive caped costume. Highlights include an interruption for the (very skinny) actor to attend his own wedding, and the wonderful story of the crew solving the problem of making Superman fly.

Documentaries, as a genre, are popular among audience in many countries across the world and even find theatrical releases just as regular feature films. However, in India, most cinephiles would remember documentaries as those dull productions from the Films Division of India that preceded their much awaited movies at the theaters. Many others may also recognise them as part of staple programming during an ancient era when that solitary state channel - Doordarshan - ruled the roost in Indian Television. Quite often, these documentaries were used by the ruling dispensation as effective Weapons of Mass Diversion (WMD) to influence a captive audience who were bereft of choice. Consequently, the genre of documentaries never found much favour with the general public and have withered away with the onset of satellite television which subjected them to a deluge of 24*7 news and entertainment channels.

Supermen of Malegaon is a novel enterprise that successfully weds the supposedly drab genre of documentary to that great opiate of Indian masses, viz. cinema. It is, indeed, a travesty that most mainstream media references to Indian cinema in this centenary year are restricted to that singular monolith called Bollywood, save for a few exceptions who may make (at best) a passing reference to the many strands of regional cinema that are churned out from the several & lesser cousin "woods" (Tollywood(s), Kollywood, Sandalwood, Mollywood, et al.).

Few of us would be aware that there exist an even more micro strand in the realms of Indian cinema called local cinema. I, for one, was totally ignorant of such a species of movies prior to watching this documentary. Local cinema emerges from the numerous small towns across India and is fuelled by little else other than the indomitable spirit of cinephiles who have this ardent passion to make movies which are predominantly consumed locally.



This brilliant hour long documentary, directed by Faiza Ahmed Khan, chronicles the travails of one such strand local cinema of Malegaon, a small town in Maharashtra which is about 300 km from Mumbai. It tells story of Sheikh Nasir and his rag-tag band of enthusiastic friends who assist him by associating themselves with various aspects of film-making. Armed with a single video camera, a computer and talents that are sourced locally, they make parodies of mainstream hits on what is essentially a shoe-string budget of upto Rs. 50,000/- per movie. These movies are screened in the ramshackle video parlours of Malegaon and are well received by an audience which find movies as their primary and perhaps, predominant source of entertainment after several hours of hard labour in the several power looms units which provide livelihood to most of the residents of this small town.

After finding an encouraging reception for their earlier movies such as Malegaon Ka Sholay, Malegaon Ka Shaan, etc., Nasir and his associates dare to parody a popular Hollywood superhero movie, viz. Superman. The documentary captures the making of this ambitious project which despite being constrained by limited resources, is however, realised through their boundless imagination, toil and also some essential desi jugaad. The project is beset with several setbacks and challenges and how Nasir and his team overcome them is presented with a light humour throughout. Simultaneously, we are also presented with a close look at the harsh realities of their existence clouded by privations and penury.

Faiza and her crew remain keen observers of the unfolding events in all their details without in any way disturbing the milieu or the flow and consequently, neither the humour nor the sombre moments appear forced and they essentially flow from the reality of the situation itself. Faiza shuns that familiar urge of her counterparts in Bollywood and desists from reducing Nasir or his team as mere caricatures. Rather, she opts to present an authentic and very real account of their lives hard labour, limited means, their ambitious dreams, unflinching spirit and inventiveness with which they pursue those dreams which adds gravitas to the proceedings and engages the viewers.

Supermen of Malegaon is an endearing watch that could effortlessly charm the viewer with its fine balance of dry humour and poignancy. It is also an ode to the passion and enthusiasm of independent film makers like Nasir and his team whose efforts who spare no effort to realise their dreams and to that extent are no less than the superhero they parody.

The director Faiza Ahmed Khan and her team have won several accolades globally and one feels that they are so well deserved as the viewer is successfully transported to this small town for an entertaining and realistic rendezvous with Nasir and his motley band as they go about making their dream project. One only hopes that they present us with more such gems in the future and many more makers find inspiration from their success to venture on this road less travelled called documentaries. I, for one, hope that Faiza's (and even Nasir's) much more pampered and privileged peers from mainstream cinema watch Supermen of Malegaon and learn a thing or two about creativity and craft that sparkles in this accomplished work of art. Alas, it may be too much of a hope ......

Supermen of Malegaon. I thought this title to be misleading as why is it Supermen and not Superman? Obviously I had to be wrong. And how I was convinced to believe the title is the matter.

Malegaon is a small town in Maharashtra known for one of a kind film-making. No less than Hollywood. Due to the prevailing communal tension, Hindus and Muslims reside on the two other side of the town divided by a river. Though mainly Muslims are involved in the film-making, entertainment in the form of video theaters comes to all irrespective of the caste. Though the old orthodox Muslims consider it as a sin watching a film, it is amusing to see how these young cine goers of Malegaon enters a video theater that could give a winning competition to hundreds of crazy bulls left to kill. No wonder why even the gatekeepers fear opening the doors for them. This is the firing passion. Passion to watch cinema and to make them. Where dreams never compromise for big budgets. This is Mollywood.

Shaikh Nasir is the Ramesh Sippy of Malegaon. And to be Richard Donner. After his magnum opus Malegaon Ka Sholay and Shaan, he covets Hollywood as he worshiped its master style of camera angles, lights, and also it was untouched in Malegaon. Comedy has an eternal soul, he believes. And that's the reason he loves making parody films, with his upcoming Malegaon Ka Superman being one. But this time he aspires to be technically more sound and advanced. He needs to use Chroma (read Karoma) to shoot Superman flying. And you find yourself cheering for him when he succeeds in his attempt.

"What I do is known as editing," realizes Nasir after learning it from newspaper ads of Bollywood films. "Why do Bollywood films need so many people to make a single film? How do they connect themselves with the film which only the director visions?" Nasir reasons with passion. Yes, he does an entire film single-handedly. He's the cinematographer, editor and the director himself.

Farogh Jafri is their screenplay writer with his Urdu language and diction perfect (Believe me, I was stunned to see him ripping apart a pseudo journalist on his misuse of language, later the press screening). He had made a very strong and a clap-worthy point in this documentary: "Be it a film as grand as Titanic or as cheap as Malegaon Ka Superman, the real pain is suffered by the writer as he is the only one who lives with the characters. Only 20% of the writer's imagination finds way into the film, the rest 80% stays with him as a pain which no money can compensate." Mr. Jafri: RESPECT.

Like every film, Nasir says, this too has a hero (our superman Shafique), a villain (Akram Khan) and a heroine (Trupti). Where the villain wants to spread filth everywhere and wants every child to spit around, the match-stick thin Superman fights every odd, from bursting into a rickshaw to getting dragged into a gutter by the school bus, to save his heroine. Superman Shafique while shooting also does other odd jobs but aspire to make it as big as Amitabh Bachhan one day. Sad that he died the next day when Malegaon Ka Superman was screened. May his soul rest in peace.

Faiza Ahmad Khan's documentary delightfully portrays the parallel kind of film-making revolving around the shoot of Malegaon Ka Superman that is so engrossing that you'll forget that you are watching a documentary. And there you learn how ordinary looking men, working at hand-looms burns a fiery passion within themselves to earn a living and live their hobbies at the same time. Indeed, they are the Supermen of Malegaon.

The movie is so heart warming that I can't hold myself from writing about the movie. First time when I came across this title I thought it will be one of the C grade movies from the biggest film industry on planet. Then a friend recommended this movie in facebook. I have been watching all sort of movies in English,Hind,Korean,Telegu,Tamil and many other foreign languages but nothing has ever touched my heart or moved me like this one. I have never ever written a review so not sure how to write one for this outstanding work. All I can say is I have not only enjoyed the movie but I Loved the movie. In spite of a humble background how these extra ordinary men followed their dream or are still willing to follow their dreams will inspire everyone. Its a must watch for all the movie lovers. Far better than all the bol bacchans and Ishqzadesss

This film is kind of special, unique & different from all other films. I mean these filmmakers of 'Superman of Malegoan' is like they thought common lets make a movie , take a camera, use some simple techniques & a movie is done! Critics talk about the big budget film & 'Superman of Malegoan' is the least budget film or you can say at-least a least budget superhero movie ever made !

The location of the film is a small village where Superman lives & enemy of Superman are the one which chew kind of tobacco & the baddie itself is a manufacturer of tobacco. And yes, there is girlfriend of Superman also !

In all, it is worth watching !

I never knew of low budget movies are made in towns like Malegaon in India, so this documentary comes as a surprise. Shaikh Nasir has been making low budget movies in so called Mollywood and is popular after his recent hit Malegaon ka Sholay. He was always interested in Hollywood and it inspires his to make Supermen of Malegaon. He doesn't try to copy Superman itself but was more interested in providing his own touch something more comedy and more of Malegaon itself. Some of the scenes are so amazing that you can't stop laughing. Superman was a bit dull, I feel he could have chosen somebody else but villain was amazing and more of a real bollywood movie. The story of how he gets everything to work for with budget constraints that he has, excitement of people playing role and watching it happening in the city is just exhilarating to watch.

When I meet people from small town, I always feel that they have so much of talent but they never get what it deserve as they don't get the right opportunity. Hats off to Shaikh Nasir's commitment to make these movies and provide entertainment to the people of their city. I found documentary to be quiet entertaining. I am sure movie will turn out to be much more amazing and would be a treat to watch.

Malegao is small town of maharastraand people love watching cinema after hectic shedule one person from there start to make movies by local jugad.. And everyone would love to see it #amustwatch

Like American Movie, SUPERMEN OF MALEGEON is a documentary about the very nature of film-making itself. The stars of the show are a group of low-budget film producers in central India who decide to make their own Superman spoof starring a little skinny guy who partakes in all kinds of silly slapstick scenarios. As with American Movie, the sheer enthusiasm of these guys makes the documentary fun to watch, and no doubt a lot better than the quality of the end product they're working on.

SUPERMEN OF MALEGAON isn't as good as American Movie by any means. The quirky characters are there, but they just aren't as well defined as in the US documentary. The best parts of the film are where we watch the various scenes of the movie being filmed with the crowd right behind the actors. The final clips shown at the climax are hilariously awful in a way that recalls the glorious old days of trash cinema like THE MAN WHO SAVES THE WORLD and Turkish E.T.