In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer, Saqib Ayub opens up about his transformative journey in cinema, from his heartfelt role in Superboys of Malegaon to the standing ovation at TIFF that left him in tears. Shedding his usual gangster roles, Saqib embraces a new dimension of storytelling with Superboys of Malegaon, where he plays a struggling filmmaker chasing his dream
Tejal Sinha
Saqib Ayub, a talented actor known for his dynamic range of roles, shares a candid reflection on his journey in cinema, particularly his experience with Superboys of Malegaon (SOM). The film is set in a world where a deep passion for cinema prevails despite the limitations of resources. Saqib, who has always been an ardent film enthusiast, talks about how stepping into this world only reinforced his love for the art form. In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, he says, “I’ve always loved cinema, so when I stepped into this world, it just felt like a reinforcement of my passion for the art.” Rather than a change, the Bambai Meri Jaan star feels that being part of such a story gave him a positive reinforcement, fueling his passion for both entertainment and the arts.
His character in Superboys of Malegaon, Irfan, is on a wild, green-chasing journey to pursue filmmaking. He describes Irfan as an embodiment of two characters — Shaqeel, a successful performer, and Irfan, a person who didn’t quite make it big in life. He explains, “Irfan is a mix of Shaqeel, who is successful and Irfan, who hasn’t quite made it yet. I didn’t really have to bring in personal experiences because the script and the director’s guidance were clear.” While the characters hail from a small-town background and Saqib, on the other hand, comes from an upper-middle-class family, he emphasises that the ample material in the script and guidance from the director and writer were enough to create a believable and engaging character.
When it comes to the directing style of Reema, the Farzi actor shares that one of the most memorable aspects of working with her was her clarity of vision. Reema doesn’t leave much room for improvisation, which surprised him at first. He says, “I was a bit surprised initially because I’ve done a lot of improvisation before, especially when it comes to comedy. But Reema’s approach was very specific, and I think it worked perfectly for this film.” He notes that although improvisation often leads to humour, in this case, the film’s minimalistic approach to comedy still landed effectively. Saqib was in awe of Reema’s ability to execute her vision so precisely, understanding exactly what shots she needed and how she wanted the film to unfold.
The experience of watching Superboys of Malegaon premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was a life-changing moment for him. He recalls the overwhelming emotion he felt when walking the red carpet, surrounded by fans and media. He says, “Walking the red carpet at TIFF felt surreal. When the film ended, we got a standing ovation from 2,500 people. I had tears in my eyes, and the whole team did too. It was overwhelming.” He describes how, after the film concluded, the entire cast and crew were overwhelmed with emotions. Tears flowed freely, a raw expression of the joy and relief of seeing the hard work come to fruition. The Love Adhura star also shares the surreal feeling of being recognised by strangers in the streets of Toronto, something he never imagined possible before.
Reflecting on his previous roles, he admits that playing a common man, as he does in Superboys of Malegaon, was a refreshing change from the rebellious gangsters or villains he’s often cast as. He says, “This was a nice change for me, as I’ve mostly played more intense roles. Playing a character who was just trying to find his way wasn’t as difficult as some of the other roles I’ve done. But I hope this performance helps break the typecasting I’ve faced.” He hopes that this role helps redefine his career and that he can step into more complex and varied roles.
As he looks to the future, he has some exciting projects lined up. One of the standout ventures is FirstCopy, a series on Amazon Prime that follows a piracy ring in the early 2000s film industry. Saqib plays a Gujarati character, a departure from his own background, which he describes as both fun and challenging. He shares, “Playing a Gujarati character was challenging for me because it’s far from my own background. But it was so much fun to step into those shoes.” He also has HIT 3, his South India debut. He plays a killer in that and it’s a film that deviates from his usual roles, as he plays a much darker character. Though there are just a few scenes, almost all of it is with actor Nani. On the lighter side, Saqib is also working on a slice-of-life comedy Darwaza and a film called Love in Vietnam, where he plays a loud, boisterous friend, a role he relishes for its change of pace. Through his upcoming projects, Saqib hopes to continue showcasing his versatility and expand his range as an actor. He reflects, “Superboys of Malegaon has allowed me to break away from the gangster roles and play something more grounded and relatable. I’m excited for the future and the chance to continue evolving as an actor.” Whether he’s playing a common man or stepping into a more intense character, Saqib is excited about the future and the new opportunities that lie ahead in his career.
