The Superboys of Malegaon, for the most part, captures what attracts people to cinema – to escape real life. Faroqh (Vineet Kumar Singh), a young Muslim man in Malegaon, writes to escape parents who don’t support him. His friend, Nasir Shaikh (Adarsh Gourav), does videos, reminding him of the love of his life slipping away. Working in a theatre, Nasir realizes the power of editing, pitching the idea of showing super cuts of movies. He and Faroqh work their way into making parody movies, he as the director and Faroqh as writer. Set during 1997, their artistic differences means that they grow apart, to the dismay of their friends. One of these friends is Shafique (Shashank Arora), whose cancer diagnosis bring them back together for one last movie shoot.

Reema Kagti takes her viewers from one shoestring production to another in what is, seemingly, a conflict-free movie. There are, however, lots of character work and world building just bubbling up under the surface in here. Friends who bring in catering announce their contributions because it’s not like Nasir will give them any credit. Faroqh, then, pulls Nasir for a private chat, which makes the latter make a friend hold his extra plate. These small discussions between Faroqh and Nasir end up being the thing that would bring them to blows. A lesser movie, or at least an exciting one, would push Nasir as a cartoon character borderline egomaniac. But then again, The Superboys of Malegaon chooses the subtle route partly because these characters are real people.

The Superboys of Malegaon shows that Nasir’s (not so fatal) flaw is not egomania but instead, it is neglect. The movie then explores who temporarily leaves Nasir’s side and who sticks around, despite that not being the best decision. Interestingly enough, one of those people is his wife, who knows that he pines for a married woman. This is pretty adult of the wife, but watching her maturity gives me some ambivalent feelings in the matter. She’s being an adult, but cinema is not for adults – it is for overgrown children who become adults. The female characters here are suspiciously yes understandably adult in the way they handle things. One such female character is Trupti (Manjiri Pupala) becoming the gang’s designated actress, defying her off screen husband.

The Superboys of Malegaon is not the first movie I’ve seen about people making a production before their friend dies. But Shafique says something simple and universal as he reveals his diagnosis to his friends who start reuniting because of him. “I could have been something if I had the chance,” he says, something people in real life say. It’s always nice to see character set their beefs aside to reunite, especially for a great character like Shafique. For this third act, set in 2010, Kagti highlights the comedy that’s been within her film all this time. She adds levity to an otherwise sad act even by showing a multi-character gag involving Shafique. Adarsh Gourav is making a name of himself as one of India’s great indie actors but Shashank Arora takes his moments as well.

Watch The Superboys of Malegaon in select Canadian theatres.