Hyderabad Central!

Hyderabad has always been in some news. Good or bad it really does not matter. Itta fizul time nai hai aapne pass. Recently we saw two back to back big banner Bollywood films central around Hyderabad as the base. The main leading character were based here. Its culture, including the slang which also known as ''deccani urdu' was once again in the limelight. Kya to bhi hai ki.

Talking about the slang, I completely understand that for a person living in Nagpur or Jammu it would be too difficult to follow and understand it. Thats why there is little twisting and turning to make it sound more acceptable. No hard feelings here.

It is also noteworthy that every-time we talk about Hyderabad one has to display few rolls of Charminar or Biryani and thats it. Haule logan hai.  Darling the city has more than you can imagine.

In the past we did had throughly distinctive films where Hyderabad was shown as a whole and not just for those two world famous things everyone boast of.

Lets look at that list.

MANDI:

Rumored to be based around the sex worker region in Hyderabad's old city called Mehendi (its shut now) this marvellous classic gem by Shyam Benegal starring Shabana-Smita-Naseer in pivotal roles was an unabridged entertainer from the word go. A dozen of outstanding actors added essential masala of incidents occurring inside a typical brothel house, situated in the heart of the city, an area that some local politicians want for its prime locality.

Shabana as Rukmini bai, was at her actor-par-excellence as an overprotective mother to Zeenat (Smita) and a no nonsense madam to others. The mannerism, clothes, jewelry, accent, drama, a bit of local culture was well captured by the ace director who apparently hails from Andhra Pradesh himself.

While the first half is mostly shot indoors, its in the second half in which we get to wander around the tranquil Moula Ali on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Soni Razadan, Ila Arun, Neena Gupta, Satish Kaushik, Kulbhushan, Om Puri added the much needed chutzpah to the story.

Look out: The climax which was extensively shot in unbelievably uncluttered, and not a single man in the sight, area of Banjara and Jubilee Hills is worth watching and look forward to.

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 10/10

Usage of Hyderabad city: 8/10

BAZAAR:

Another 1982 release, directed by Sagar Sarhadi and starring Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh and Supriya Pathak (debut) was set in typical Hyderabad highlighting the issue of bride buying in India. The film revolves around a young girl played by Supriya being sold by needy parents to an affluent shaikh of Gulf.

This film display the rehen sehen of a classic Hyderabadi's style of living of those days. Palatial haveli's, sweetness of people, tameez and tehzeeb in abundance. Noteworthy are the performances from almost all the cast and a must watch.

Look out: The song Dikhayee diye yun. It used to be a common practice during evenings at most of the Hyderabadi houses, including mine, during summers. White sheets aka sojni and shatranjee with gautakiyas accompanied by lot to eat and gossip. Uff those days....

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 9/10

Usage of Hyderabad city: 4/10

NIKAAH:

Lacked majorly in the accent department, this BR Chopra directed Muslim social drama was a rage when released in 1982. Nikaah marked a well planned debut of pakistani sensation Salma Agha in the world of Bollywood. The film revolves around Nilofer (played by Ms Agha) and her love interest Wasim (Deepak Parasher) and college mate Haider (Raj Babbar).

The film showed the cultural side of Hyderabad in the most poetic way possible. Culture and language dominated this film which talked about Islamic law of marriage and divorce in a subtle yet strong way.

Shot appropriately around the city especially Charminar, Nampally and Hussain Sagar were well captured.

Look out: The song Chupke Chupke raat din pictured appealingly on Salma Agha and Deepak Parasher romancing standing on the terrace of Nizamia Unani Hospital overlooking the magnificent Charminar in the background.

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 5/10

Usage of Hyderabad city: 6/10

HYDERABAD BLUES:

A 1998 released was about an NRI vacationing back home in Hyderabad and finding himself a foreigner in his own land with things happening beyond his imagination. The film is Nagesh Kukunoor's first as a director.

Shot in flat 17 days the film is a romantic comedy revolving Varun (NK) coming down from USA after 12 years and finding himself in cultural shock at every step. The film had dialogues in English, Telugu and Hyderabadi slangish urdu.

I remember going to Sangeet cinema in Secunderabad to catch the only show of this film as it was not finding a distributor to releases it. And once it got released, man it went onto become a cult film of all time.

And yes I have a small memory from the film. The ticket. One of the nicest and biggest ticket I ever saw and saved it. Small memories. Unfortunately Hyderabad Blues 2 could not gain the same popularity.

Look out: The laid back attitude of the nawabi city which is pleanty.

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 10/10

Usage of Hyderabad city: 8/10

HERO HIRALAL:

Sanjana Kapoor (Roopa) an upcoming actress, while shooting in Hyderabad's Golconda fort area bump into our Hero Hiralal a typical Hyderabadi autowala ( and also an over obsessive bollywood fan), who becomes her tour guide accidentally  (I don't know how it happened. Guess back in 1989 Autowalas were really sweet. Hmmmm) so moving on our Hero takes madam around the city treating her with the best Irani Chai and ever famous Osmania biscuit at Sayeed Jaffery (as Aziz Bhai. brilliant) owned Farasha Cafe near Charminar and no sooner falls in love with her.

Pack up in Hyderabad, work takes Roopa back in Mumbai but not before our Hero follows her all the way to Mumbai in order to confide his love for her. What happens next about their love drama makes for the remaining story.

Look out: The 'roaming around' of Roopa and Hero in his auto to Golconda Fort, boating in Hussain Sagar, sipping the ever famous Irani chai appropriately shot at Farasha cafe, and please to note 'no traffic in sight' near Charminar. Haye kon sa tobhi zamana tha yeh? Sayeed Jaffery's flawless Hyderabadi accent.

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 6/10

Usage of Hyderabad city: 8/10

BOBBY JASOOS:

Vidya Balan as Bilkis Ahmed aka Bobby who aspires to be a detective despite facing many obstacles is your no nonsense Hyderabadi girl.

Hailing from Mughalpura, Bobby is solving her neighbors petty issues till she gets something big and mysterious and bang she gets on to her foot to solve it. The mystery leads her to lots of ups and downs including chasing the victim in lanes and by lanes of Hyderabad. Very well captured.

Look out: Hyderabad never shot so beautifully as in this film. The timing was just perfect, during the holy month of Ramzaan when the city comes alive till wee hours of mornings and lit up as a newly espoused. I personally feel the film got some fine frameworks to boost about. Full of life. Full of energy.

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 6/10

Usage of Hyderabad city: 9/10

DAWAT E ISHQ:

The age old burning issue of our country. Dowry. Nevertheless how good the girl is, her parents have to shell out few lakhs if not crores to get her married. Swirling in the circle is Gulrez (Pariniti Vhopra) and her Booji (Anupam Kher) who hails from Hyderabad's purana-shehr. Rejected by dozens and fed up with the unchangeable system, Gulrez aka Gullu take things and her father, in her hand and travel to Lucknow to marry the greediest guy and leave him the next day not before filing a case of harassment and dowry under section 98A. Thats her sort of revenge.

What happens next makes the film engaging and watchable.

I must add that the treatment to the film was not done properly. Could have been quick and fast paced. Also not much was focused on Hyderabad, which is equally world famous for food. But again why always talk about food, right? I enjoyed the ride from Charminar to Tank bund and back to High Court where Booji works as an Asst Lawyer.

Hyderabadi accent was bang on. Thank you Elahe for the deccani lessons. Of course I accept that few words are very difficult to understand but the cast really managed well. The sketching of characters were done aesthetically. Special mention to Anupam Kher.

Look out: All the Kababs, Murgh, Biryani and Firni served yummily during Lucknow scenes. Please go to a theatre which is close to a Mughlai restaurant for sure you are gonna come out hungry and tempting and desiring to eat Biryani right then!

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 8/10

Usage of Hyderabad city: 5/10

MEENAXI:

The story is based in three cities. One being our very own Hyderabad as the main character Nawab (Raguvir Yadav) a popular Hyderabadi novelist suffering from a classic case of writer's block. Years have passed, and stories os substance seem to have dried up. One day mysteriously he comes across Meenaxi, a heavy Hyderabadi accented woman, enigmatic and individualist. There she becomes his muse. She is a mysterious perfume trader of Hyderabad to exotic desert bloom in Jaisalmer to and orphaned of Prague, she almost rule the novelist. Soon after, Meenaxi taunts Nawab about the 'boring' story and, finally, burns the manuscript in disgust.

Her support, inspiration and criticism follows the entire story line directed by renowned artist M F Hussain saab.

Look out: Tabu in her almost perfect Hyderabadi accent act. Apt casting.

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 4/10

Usage of Hyderabad city: 3/10

WELL DONE ABBA:

Another one from Shyam Benegal released in 2009 received mixed feedback due to non heavy star cast.

Boman Irani (in a double role) works as a chauffeur and an ageing father to Minisha Lamba (Muskaan) fighting for the rising drought problem in his village near Hyderabad. Also he is bothered about not able to find a suitable groom for her daughter makes the story honestly alluring.

Minisha tried her best to deliver the Hyderabadi slang and managed upto some extent. The rest could not even try. Not even Boman.

Nothing much to write about this.

Look out: Ila Arun's performance and getup.

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 4/10

Usage of Hyderabad city: 2/10

THE ANGREZ:

Is a 2005 Indian comedy movie directed by Kuntaa Nikkil. In this movie, the word "Angrez" refers to English people and non-resident Indians.

The movie was a trend-setter in that, it was one of the first to effectively and humorously, often resorting to the slapstick kind, portray the dialect of the Old City, Hyderabad and the Hyderabadi tongue. The film also portrays the fascination for American materialism, the hype around the IT industry and the lifestyle and culture it has spawned.

The movie revolves around three sets of people.

The Angrez - Two guys who come from the US to serve in an IT company.

Ismail bhai & Gang - A bunch of locals from the Old City Area

Mama a.k.a Annaa & gang - Local gangsters.

Now you go and figure it out at your own risk.

Look out: pheku Saleem and Ismail Bhai.

Usage of Hyderabadi Slang: 10/10

Usage of Hyderabad City: 9/10

PS: Besides these films there were many other Bollywood films wherein the main character was Hyderabadi despite the story based in other city.

Sridevi as Rozy in Gurudev, Mehmood as Butler in Gumnaam, Shakti Kapoor as Babu Hyderabadi in Mahasangram, Aruna Irani as Panna in Prem, Farha Naaz as Ramtaki in Rakhwala.

Few eminent film personalities from Hyderabad:

Shaukat Azmi, Shabana Azmi, Dia Mirza, Aditi Rao Hydari, Diana Hayden, Farha Naaz, Tabu, Eijaz Khan and Sushmita Sen (she was born there) to name a few.

Excuse me but I am in no mood to talk about those half a dozen senseless movies came out from Hyderabad by Hyderabad and for Hyderabad. Upto some degree ANGREZ was manageable.