Reema Kagti, Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Superboys Of Malegaon’: A Passion Project

India’s Nasir Shaikh is a man who redefined cinema for those who had little access to the starry world of Bollywood in the alleys of the Indian city of Mumbai. His story is not new to the screen, a documentary was previously made on his adventures and now Prime Video original Superboys of Malegaon released in theatres on February 28. In an exclusive interview, creators Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar talk about the film, the lessons they learnt while making it and their collaborators on their journey.

Superboys of Malegaon is based on Nasir Shaikh’s life and ongoing journey. Spanning over three decades, the film captures the passion, hardships and resilience of the shoe-string budget filmmakers who have created an industry of their own with almost no resources. Brilliant storytelling, authentic ground realities and solid performances back this entertaining film that is as much the story of the industry as it is about friendships and hardships.

Reema Kagti, Zoya Akhtar: Superboys Of Malegaon Interview

Reema and Zoya had the idea for the film in 2012 but were busy with few other projects and that “kind of delayed the process”. When they got working on it, the coronavirus pandemic hit globally, slowly things down but it was a “smooth sailing” after writer Varun Grover completed his work around two years ago. “We were committed to develop and write different things. We had two shows that we were doing simultaneously, and we didn’t want to wait on this anymore,” Reema explains the delays, adding that they were lucky to have Grover as their writer.

Nasir’s involvement in Superboys of Malegaon

Kagti assures us that Nasir was very much a part of the research, but adds that writer Grover took his own calls and Nasir was there to help them through. “Nasir was there throughout the writing and the shooting process. He was there to help us and he never really interfered with what we were doing, in that sense. Having said that, I was a bit nervous when he finally came to watch the film, and thank God it went well and he loved it.”

Actor Adarsh Gourav who essays the role of Nasir in Superboys of Malegaon, tells us that he spent a couple of weeks with Nasir. “And those were incredible. What drew me to the story intrinsically was a man who decided to chase his dream at a time when people thought that it was irrational. It is a journey that’s still going on. All the odds that he had to fight against and all the friends that supported him …all these things put together were very compelling for me.”

Akhtar, who recently made the Prime Video original Dahaad, insists very few people have the gumption to step out of their comfort zones and then follow it up as well. “Especially when you have no access to what you’re dreaming about. Nasir did that. I think the fact that a film was made in America in the 70s (Superman) and that created a ripple in small-town India in the 90s and changed the lives of Nasir and his friends ….it has transcended borders.”

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani saw the potential of the story right when Zoya told him about her meeting with Nasir Shaikh at a film festival. “We were sold on the few lines she told us about him. We knew there’s a lot of potent material out there which can be made into a film. If you can inspire people and leave them with a thought with your story, (it is wonderful). That is what Nasir’s life story makes you believe. They thought of the impossible and they achieved it, with literally no resources. I think that’s what made us back it. It took that many years, but I think it stands true even today when you watch it.”

Casting and the actors in Superboys of Malegaon

Asked about the main casting, Zoya insists she can see several characteristics that Nasir and Adarsh have in common. “I don’t know if Reema felt the same way. I think Nasir and Adarsh share the characteristic of a mixture of innocence, wonder and hustle. It is a combination of that that Nasir has and I think that he’s either captured that or has it.”

Kagti agrees that Adarsh has it, adding, “I really wanted each of the characters to kind of have the spirit of the person that they were playing. And Adarsh is a hustler, Nasir is a hustler, I’m a hustler.”

Superboys of Malegaon features Vineet Kumar along with Gourav, Shashank Arora and Anuj Singh Duhan. Kagti credits the casting team (Nandini Shrikent and Karan Mally) for a smooth process. “Each actor approached their role in very unique ways, and it was interesting to watch that unfold. The research Varun Grover did and the time the cast spent in Malegaon with Nasir Shaikh, how they helped each other made them understand the environment and bring out authenticity to their performances. The contrast in approaches added richness to the film because every actor’s style reflected the individuality of their character.”

The Reema Kagti-Zoya Akhtar bond

Akhtar insists she has built a strong collaborative process with Kagti over the years – a bond that “hinges on trust and our shared love for storytelling”. Adding that they complement each other in their approaches to filmmaking, she says, “Reema often brings a more grounded and research-driven focus, while I lean toward the emotional arc and visual storytelling. This balance helps us create films that are both layered and authentic. When we work together, it’s like we’re constantly pushing each other to dig deeper, to be more honest with the story. We respect each other’s instincts, which allows us to take risks and experiment in our work.”

Kagti agrees that their differences are complementary. “Zoya and I have a great creative partnership because we bring different but complementary strengths to the table. After so many years of working together, we are like a well-oiled machine. We have a shared respect for the story above all else, the commitment to staying true to the story and telling all kinds of stories is always the same.”

Superboys of Malegaon: The lessons the filmmakers learned

Admiring Nasir Shaikh’s passion for cinema, Akhtar says that she now knows it is also the greatest resource a filmmaker can have. “They (Nasir and his friends) have created an entire industry with almost no money or formal training—just with pure love for cinema. That level of commitment and innovation is inspiring.”

For Kagti, it was the power of resilience. “Nasir and the filmmakers of Malegaon work with almost no resources, yet they’ve built an entire industry in their town. It is a reminder that limitations can often spark creativity in unexpected ways. Spending time with Nasir and the team, I learned how much can be achieved with pure determination and passion. It also reinforced the importance of research – Varun’s deep dive into Malegaon’s local film culture and the time we spent there added layers to the story that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.”

Producer Sidwani adds, “One of the biggest takeaways was witnessing the sheer passion and resourcefulness of Nasir and his team in Malegaon. It reminded me that filmmaking is not just about big budgets and sophisticated equipment—at its core, it’s about creativity, determination, and a love for the craft. It also reinforced my belief that great stories can come from anywhere, and it’s essential to give those stories the platform they deserve. There’s something pure and magical about storytelling that arises from a place of struggle and passion, and Superboys of Malegaonis a testament to that.”

(The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.)