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Superboys of Malegaon backdrop

Superboys of Malegaon

27 February 2025Hindi2h 8m
out of 10
Recommendedmost critics liked it
Monk Score · 11 scored reviews · 4 not rated

A warm, well-acted tribute to grassroots filmmaking that trades depth for heart.

Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: ensemble performances and heartfelt tone
  • Criticised: lacks specific cultural authenticity

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Critic consensus

What 14 critics are saying

The critical response to Superboys of Malegaon is largely positive, with most reviewers praising its warmth, ensemble performances, and celebration of grassroots filmmaking. Critics frequently highlighted the nuanced acting and the film's ability to balance mainstream entertainment with an independent spirit. The main dissenting voices pointed to a lack of cultural specificity — with some noting that the film presents a sanitised, generalised portrait of Malegaon rather than capturing its distinct identity — and one critic found the film tonally uneasy in navigating the line between fact and fiction.

How the 11 scores spread

4 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 14 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (15)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review

    Fuelled by measured performances that blend energy with restraint, the characters and the film are in reach for the sky, while staying firmly rooted to the ground.
  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review

    The film brings Muslim characters back on our radar, breaking away from the tropes of evil terrorists and subservient sidekicks, and giving us those who own the story and drive the narrative. You wish there were more of these in this fresh iteration of Malegaon's once-were-supermen chapter whose filmi flourishes place it uneasily between fact and faction.
  3. Filmfare

    Film review

    Superboys of Malegaon is a jubilant celebration of the human spirit, a love letter to the art of storytelling, and an ode to the transformative power of friendship. It's a film that celebrates the beauty of imperfection, the power of community, and the enduring magic of cinema.
  4. Hindustan Times

    Film review

    Superboys of Malegaon is a delightful ride—a rare one without any boring moments. Reema Kagti's film is an ode to cinema peppered with nuanced performances and brilliant technical work. It's a declaration to our industry, which is struggling to find what makes theatre viewing tick with audiences.
  5. India Today

    Film review

    This is a heartfelt film capturing the dreams and struggles of a group of boys in Malegaon who are passionate about making movies, reflecting the magic of cinema and the changing face of India.
  6. KoiMoi

    Film review

    The riveting tale of friendship, ambition, passion for cinema, hardships, heartbreaks, but most importantly, the daring to dream big. The performances, writing, direction, and cinematography are just the cherry on top. Every cinema enthusiast should witness this visual delight.
  7. Mid-Day

    Film review

    Superboys of Malegaon is a hugely entertaining film, about films. Which also obviously translates to fine direction, writing, performances, and everything else that follows.
  8. Rediff

    Film review

    Superboys of Malegaon is a delight to watch. The ensemble of new and known actors perform with such abandon that even the ridiculous scenes that they shoot are a delight to watch.
  9. Mid-Day

    Film review

    Much of the heavy lifting is on Shah's shoulders and he delivers the desired intense performance giving us the expected adrenaline rush. Kohli and Shah pull off the unthinkable - a full-fledged feature film largely revolving around a single character.
  10. Firstpost

    Film review

    'Superboys of Malegaon' is a tribute to the simplicity of filmmaking and friendship that we hardly get to see these days. It's a must-watch for the brilliant performances of all the actors.
  11. HollywoodReporterIndia

    Film review ·

    'Superboys of Malegaon' is the best kind of crowd-pleaser, successfully translating an independent theme into mainstream treatment without losing its heart.
  12. Scroll.in

    Film review ·

    Superboys of Malegaon is a perfectly sweet tribute to the power of cinema to inspire other kinds of cinema. While the film ably shows the drama behind the drama and Nasir's refusal to be defeated, it has a generalised small-town quality rather than a specific flavour – the M in Mollywood is missing.
  13. The Hindu

    Film review

    Despite an efficient ensemble of actors and honest moments of camaraderie, Reema's Malegaon looks dressed up for a well-meaning fancy dress show sans the cultural context, and the creative team's inability to extricate itself from the source documentary while pretending to take a fresh look results in a sanitised studio sketch that reeks of self-consciousness.

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