Anuj Duhan talks about his role as Akram in Superboys of Malegaon, discussing the film’s impact and its authentic storytelling and how he chooses his projects

Aman Jain

Anuj Singh Duhan, known for his role as Akram in Superboys of Malegaon, began his career as a model, working with renowned designers. In an exclusive interview with The Free Press Journal, he reflects on his journey from modelling to acting and discusses the impact of films like Superboys of Malegaon on the industry.

Superboys of Malegaon, a low-budget film, stands out for its unique story and authentic charm. Set in Malegaon, Maharashtra, it follows local filmmakers creating their superhero movie, blending humour, emotion, and social commentary while operating with limited resources.

Excerpts:

Q. How did Superboys of Malegaon manage to stand out despite a low budget?

A. Simply because we made a good film. We didn’t try to do something extraordinary; we stayed true to the story – the real story of these boys and this place, Malegaon. We tried to stay true to our characters and to cinema itself. The whole credit goes to Reema and Varun – Varun Grover, who wrote the film, and Reema, who directed it, as well as the producers who believed in us.

That belief helped us tell this story. People are resonating with the film because it’s inspiring. They’re telling us that they feel motivated by the film – that you shouldn’t give up, regardless of your resources, and you can still pursue your dreams. This film is for them. This film is for the people and with the people. I’m glad that people are connecting and recommending it to others. It’s really clicking in the way it is.

Q. How was your role in The Empire different from other projects?

A. I started out with a couple of shows – Barish (Season 2) on Balaji, The Empire, and Your Honor. In The Empire and Your Honor, I had very small parts, and sometimes I used to feel like I was mostly standing in the background. I used to feel like I wasn’t contributing much, but at the same time, I realised this is where I learned.

Being on these sets and with these people was an opportunity to hone my craft. But once I was done with that, I thought, “No, I’m meant for bigger things. I want to do roles where my parts have significance, where I can impact the story.” I wanted to make a difference. It was a journey I’ll never forget. It taught me a lot.

Q. What factors influence your choice of roles in films?

A. Now, having done two films – Pippa and Superboys of Malegaon – both with great cast, makers, and directors, my roles have been very different. I just want to be a part of good cinema – good films, with good makers, good directors, and good producers.

Initially, I still feel that “beggars can’t be choosers.” But soon, as time goes on, my only goal will be to get good scripts, and from those, I’ll pick the best. I’d love to do something commercial, indie, or realistic – it doesn’t matter. I just want to be part of good projects, and I hope that will come to me in abundance.