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The release of Supermen of Malegaon (SOM), alongside Hollywood's Spider-man and in the 100th year of Indian cinema, could not have been better-timed. SOM marks new zest more...
The release of Supermen of Malegaon (SOM), alongside Hollywood's Spider-man and in the 100th year of Indian cinema, could not have been better-timed. SOM marks new zest enlivening Indian documentary. It reflects global interest in desi movies. And it celebrates, with empathy and wit, our own fascination with films and the magic they make.
SOM follows the adventures of a band of Malegaon men, led by local movie-maker Shaikh Nasir, producing a parody on Hollywood's Superman. Malegaon lies 300 kilometres from Mumbai, its economy based on power looms worked by labourers upto 12 hours a day. These workers turn with delight to Hindi and Hollywood films, loving their fantasy and joy. Little wonder the town is flooded with things filmi, from cinema theatres bursting at their seams to DVDs sold on wooden carts, actors' hairstyles sculpted by barbers and starry kites dotting the skies, all thriving amongst henna-haired elders, mosques and stream, giggling children, muddy ditches, hazy looms and bleating goats.
But cinema in Malegaon isn't escaping reality. It becomes a way for locals to re-interpret reality itself, remaking hits from around the world. Hence, Nasir, who earlier made Malegaon ke Sholay, featuring dacoits on cycles, turns to Superman, grinning to the camera behind, "Pehle Bollywood se takkar liya, ab Hollywood se lenge. "Inspired by cinema from Chaplin to Schwarzenegger, Nasir bands together a likeable bunch - soft-faced Shafique with a Bachchan-obsession, shaadi video-maker and actor Akram, Farogh, a writer with drawling appeal. Together, they make SOM, the painfully thin Shafique reinterpreting a super-human with human weakness, wonkiness and wit.
As Nasir's crew tackle challenges - Shafique nearly drowning when Superman saves kids in a river, the camera falling in, scouting a pouting heroine as Malegaon's conservative Muslims won't let local women act, producing expensive 'chroma effect' by draping fluorescent cloth on a screen, even impaling Superman's buddy on a horizontal 'flying' pole, leaving the sidekick panting for a 'pain-cooler' - the camera follows with quiet intelligence, probing, not judgmental, empathetic, yet non-sentimental. Only a few quibbles - Malegaon's women are seen but hardly heard. Nasir's sibling drama is uncovered but unexplored. And how the money works could be clearer too.
Crucially though, SOM gets why Malegaon is crazy about cinema, even making its own - movies capture our madness, melancholy and magic, mirroring these to us, making us love what we see. It is in cinema that India's vibrant creativity - its tales and taboos, its violence and splendour, its lilting music and haunting poetry like Malegaon's amazing 'Chand se khitaab' - find free and faithful expression. Cinema in India makes us laugh at our weaknesses, applaud our strengths, watch with tenderness and heart our grim lives and eternal hope. That is what makes it precious. And it is this quality of understanding that makes Supermen of Malegaon a beautiful film. Go watch.
Review posted within last 6 month
This movie is a cult and a must watch for all college guys, just like gunda, i was actually amazed to see this movie in this list. It is really funny and awesome, but only if you watch it with friends, dont expect some high end animation or graphics, as this movie was made by some village guys with much difficulty, but have one word for the movie- RESPECT !
Review posted within last 6 month
malegaon ka chintu ..!!! LOL
Review posted more than 6 month ago
A nice story , but the movie will create less impact on the audience !
Review posted more than 6 month ago
good story line
Review posted more than 6 month ago
i was moved by the movie .. it makes us think as a middleclass... there is no limit for achievment .. the quality adn quantity doesnt maters .. what matters is Achievment of goal , Satisfying the thought of being someone great... no matter how the director,writer and actors of original movie might have thought..but they have indeed given an inspiration that Dreams do come true!!!
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Awesome dialogue
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Now viewer of TOI spend more time on reading comments then reading the news...!!!
Review posted more than 6 month ago
A very good documentary...hillarious. It generates an awe for people who are so passionate about stuff like movies
Review posted more than 6 month ago
People, look up a movie called "Be kind rewind", staring Jack black, release in 2008. Its the same freaking movie, Indianised. But good effort in Indian-isng @Toi : Seriously ?? so many stars for an adapted story ??
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Hails to the maker of this film to make it so far.
Review posted more than 6 month ago
This was good and with a message ....A must watch quality movie lover.
Review posted more than 6 month ago
It will to interesting to see what they have made, out of Super Man movies. I hope it should be funny and have social message.
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Since its a movie about remaking other movies... does it really matter if its a copy of "Be kind..."???
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Yes ofcourse. there should be a difference between originality vs "Adaptation". I stay by my word. Its a good "Indian isation" of a very good movie, But dont forget the idea is not all that original after all. i will give high stars for a movie if they are original, adaptation always have a convenience of following the path shown already.
Review posted more than 6 month ago
NO body will watch this theatres
Review posted more than 6 month ago
nice movie, and a better documentary.
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Good to see a Documentary Reviewed by TOI.... 100 years celebration... hmmm... time for India to movie on to another step of film making.... cheers...
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Yes... stick to your sallu crap... No need to empty your bowels here... It is an excellent first attempt...
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