Page 46 - The Indian EYE 092024

ENTERTAINMENT EYE SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 | The Indian Eye 46

TIFF, TORONTO

– Q&A with Reema Kagti

‘Superboys of Malegaon’ is a story about filmmaking and friendship colliding

to create a powerful end result

MANSI M. in the story which no doubt has add-
ed a lot of depth and realism to the
Toronto, ON
narrative. Apart from that the cast
eema Kagti has a singular and crew also spent time in Malega-
voice as an artist, screenwriter, on and with Nasir and other charac-
Rand filmmaker. Her directori- ters because we wanted to be authen-
al debut, Honeymoon Travels Private tic to the people and place.
Limited (2006), was an immediate Given that Superboys of Malega-
critical and commercial success. Fol- on highlights the passion of Malega-
lowing that, she wrote and directed on’s residents for filmmaking amidst
the neo-noir Talaash (2012), and the the struggle and challenges they faced,
historic sports drama, Gold (2018), what can the audience expect from its
both of which were highly acclaimed storyline and portrayal of these themes?
by audiences and critics alike. In addi- Superboys of Malegaon is a story
tion to directing, Reema has co-writ- about filmmaking and friendship col-
ten the screenplays for huge com- liding to create a powerful end result.
mercial successes such as Zindagi Na It’s about a bunch of guys who didn’t
Milegi Dobara (2011), Dil Dhadakne have much but created something
Do (2015), and Gully Boy (2019), as stunning from that, against all odds.
well as the highly acclaimed series, Portraying real-life characters on
Made in Heaven (2019), for Amazon screen is not an easy task. How did you
Prime Video. go about casting the actors to bring a re-
‘Dahaad’ (2023), Reema’s most alistic feel to the film?
recent project, received widespread Casting directors Nandini
love and appreciation, after making Shrikent and Karan Mally made my
global waves at the Berlin Interna- life pretty easy. They did auditions
tional Film Festival in 2023. ‘Dahaad’ with an exhaustive list of actors and
was the first ever Indian web series to shortlisted the ones that clicked.
premiere at the festival, where it was Once we felt an actor fit the part we
nominated for the Berlinale Series did call backs, alone and with other
Award. actors. Then we did workshops. Al-
eem who is a character in the movie
As per press notes, since came in to train the actors with their
diction. Hair, makeup and wardrobe
2019, through Tiger Baby, Re- departments all did their own re-
ema has extended her role to search and referencing which went
a long way in lending authenticity to
that of Producer – with Made Reema Kagti with the real Nasir (File photo) the portrayal.

in Heaven (2019), Eternally How did it feel to have Superboys of
ship. “Nasir’s story is a testament to this film unique? Malegaon selected at the 49th Toronto
Confused and Eager for Love the power of cinema,” she says. The film covers over a decade International Film Festival?
It feels wonderful to be select-
What inspired you to make Super-
(2022), ‘Dahaad’ (2023), The boys of Malegaon? of Nasir’s life while the documenta- ed for TIFF. My cast and crew and I
ry is primarily centered around the
Archies (2023) and Kho Gaye Nasir’s journey into low budget making of one of his films ‘Supermen have really worked hard on this and I
Hum Kahan (2023) already un- amateur film-making is incredible. of Malegaon’. The film follows how am grateful to showcase our work on
such a large global platform.
He had very little to work with but Nasir started out and what were the
der her belt. eventually created a thriving video catalysts that led him to filmmaking. Is there any message you would like
film industry in Malegaon. It was What kind of research and ground- to convey to the audience, given that the
Her film Superboys of Malegaon complete with their own distribution work did you undertake while develop- film is about friends who come up with
presented at the Toronto Internation- and exhibition network through vid- ing the film and did it help to influence the idea of making their own movies
al Film festival (TIFF) is based on eo parlours. Nasir is a very inspira- the film’s narrative and add depth to the without any guidance or a big budget?
real life events of an ambitious am- tional man. story? The film conveys a strong mes-
ateur filmmaker from Malegaon, and How is Superboys of Malegaon dif- Screenwriter Varun Grover spent sage to follow your dreams and not
offers a perspective on the realms of ferent from the original documentary? a lot of time in Malegaon extensively be daunted by adversity or a lack of
filmmaking and the bonds of friend- What are the key highlights that make researching Nasir and all the people resources.

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