Witness

Supermen of Malegaon

The enchanting story of the filming of a spoof Superman movie by Indian first-time filmmakers.

Filmmaker: Faiza Ahmed Khan

Far away from the glamorous film world of Mumbai, there are many enthusiasts making films on a fraction of Bollywood’s budgets. They do it for the sheer love of cinema – often the only way to escape the harsh realities of life.

Malegaon is a city northeast of Mumbai, famous for its textile production and hundreds of power looms.

Shaikh Nasir, a local film enthusiast decided that it was time for some Indian parody so he bought a video camera and set out to make a film, Superman of Malegaon.

Filmmaker Faiza Ahmed Khan followed him making his film and captures the trials and tribulations, and the inspirations, encountered during the filming of this charming spoof, made with Malegao locals and first-time actors.

Juxtaposing the frenzied production activities against the background of the stark socio-economic conditions of Malegaon, the documentary reveals the cathartic spell-binding importance of the ‘magic of movies’ on the people.