Supermen of Malegaon: Super Men Indeed

That a documentary like “Supermen of Malegaon” has found a theatrical release in India should serve as a testimony for the passion and the efforts of Faiza Ahmad Khan that has gone into making it. As we get accustomed to the jerky hand held camera movements, we were told that there is no entertainment in Malegaon except cinema. While, this can be hold true for many villages across India, the uniqueness of Malegaon arises from this team who makes films like Malegaon Ka Sholay with limited means and show them to the people of their village. They even call themselves Mollywood and have ‘M’ imprinted in place of ‘S’ for the eponymous Super Man Movie.

There were some truly hilarious moments in what essentially is a documentary and I don’t know whether they have been written into this or have really happened as they shot the film. We never know how the film looks like as it was never shown and we are treated to the endearing warmth of the film making a truly passionate maker can exude. Mind you this is no art and the makers never raise any claims. They knew the kind of film they are about to make and their belief and energy levels are what make the documentary more special then the film.

Malegaon as we are told is a Muslim dominated village and the difficulties they faced or getting a heroine to dance with the skinny Super Man was one of the many hurdles the team crosses during the course of its 65 minute run time. It is brisk, effective and never overstays the welcome with some occasionally deep lines like no writer would ever get to see more than 20% of what he has written and even cites Titanic as an example. The director claims his knowledge of cinema came from watching English movies and sites Charlie Chaplin films as an inspiration for attempting a comedy.

It is a delightful film that most probably has not been released in smaller towns and even in some cities, but if you do get a chance take this trip. The only thing that irked me was the exorbitant price of 180 Rupees I was charged for watching this in a multiplex. Now I’m sure the director himself would have favored a reduction in the price.