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.


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.
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Critic consensus
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.
4 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 14 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
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.
Top critic
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.
Film review
This is a funny and beautiful movie with a big heart. You will see yourself in it.
Film review
A delightful underdog story that reminds you, nobodies can be somebodies once they let their dreams
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Film review ·
'Superboys of Malegaon' is the best kind of crowd-pleaser, successfully translating an independent theme into mainstream treatment without losing its heart.
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.
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.
Credits
Adarsh GouravNasir Shaikh
Shashank AroraShafique
Vineet Kumar SinghFarogh Jaffery
Anuj Singh DuhanAkram Khan
Saqib AyubIrfan
Manjiri PupalaTrupti
Muskkaan JaferiShabeena
Gyanendra TripathiNihal
Sanjay DadichSiraj
Riddhi KumarMallika
Jagdish RajpurohitProducer TalrejaHindi films like Superboys of Malegaon