Director: Manish Saini
Rating: **½
Released today, May 29, 2026, The Great Grand Superhero (subtitled Aliens Ka Aagman) is a delightful breath of fresh air in a cinematic landscape heavily dominated by dark, hyper-violent, and hyper-masculine blockbusters. Directed by National Award winner Manish Saini, this 112-minute family fantasy does something Bollywood has rarely done lately: it crafts a sweet, goofy, and genuinely heartwarming story specifically for children and the young at heart.
The Story & Script
The narrative follows 11-year-old Dipu (Mihir Godbole), a young schoolboy who shifts to a new town. Desperate to fit in and impress his cynical new classmates, Dipu cooks up a wildly imaginative, unbelievable lie: he proudly claims that his ageing grandfather (Jackie Shroff) is actually a secret, real-life superhero tasked with protecting Planet Earth from an imminent alien invasion.
What starts as a harmless playground flex quickly snowballs into an epic adventure when actual extraterrestrial forces entry the frame. The script by Manish Saini brilliantly captures the essence of childhood innocence. It flips back and forth between an absurd inter-terrestrial threat and a grounded family dynamic, weaving subtle, touching underlying messages about environmental preservation, self-belief, and the power of friendship.
Direction & Screenplay
Manish Saini deserves immense credit for keeping the storytelling honest, simple, and rooted. Instead of trying to construct a sleek, high-budget Marvel-style spectacle or a flying-suit saga like Krrish, Saini fully embraces a scrappy, comic-book aesthetic. The screenplay moves seamlessly at a comfortable pace. The film is hilarious because it plays its absurd situations straight, relying on the contrast between wild childhood fantasies and mundane reality—such as an alleged interstellar savior being utterly terrified of a common household lizard.
Performances
Jackie Shroff: Jackie is the absolute heartbeat of this movie. He plays the grandfather with a natural, affable warmth and a brilliant sense of comedic timing. He effortlessly channels an old-school heroic charm while poking fun at his character's vulnerability (like blindly hunting for his lost reading glasses). He makes you believe in the magic of storytelling.
Mihir Godbole: As Dipu, the young actor delivers a stellar, wide-eyed performance filled with earnest conviction. His screen chemistry with Jackie forms the emotional backbone of the entire film.
The Playground Squad: Shivansh Chorge and Jihan Hodar add a wonderful, nostalgic playground energy to the adventure sequences as Dipu's loyal companions in mission mode.
The Supporting Cast: Pratiek Smita Patil fits effectively into the narrative as the antagonist, while Durgesh Kumar brings his signature eccentric humor. Bhagyashree Patwardhan also delivers a highly impactful cameo that elevates the high-stakes drama in the final act.
Music & Technical Craft
Visuals & VFX: Shot by Swathy Deepak, the film creates a highly soothing, serene atmosphere by capturing lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and scenic landscapes. The VFX elements are fairly decent; while they aren't Hollywood-grade, they perfectly complement the film's playful and stylized fantasy world.
Pacing & Edit: Edited by Deepa Bhatia, the film clocks in at just under two hours (112 minutes). While a few environmental-saving tangents in the second half feel a bit stretched, the overall narrative remains incredibly tight and engaging.
Final Verdict
The Great Grand Superhero is a nostalgic, sweet, and comforting reminder of the outrageous stories our grandparents used to tell us. It is a movie that honors a child's sense of wonder without trying to be overly educational or preachy. If you want to escape the heavy noise of modern cinema and dive into a warm, joyful pool of pure imagination, this Jackie Shroff starrer is a perfect weekend watch for the entire family.
