Hyderabad: Anyone who has ever visited Hyderabad will surely agree that there is something truly magical about the city and its surroundings. The erstwhile seat of the Nizam, it beautifully combines old world charm with modern day elegance and thereby has a mesmerizing impact on all and sundry. Perhaps that is why over the years quite a few Hindi films had been shot the city. Today, let us take a look at some movies which bear testimony to Bollywood’s fascination with Hyderabad.
Bobby Jasoos: It would perhaps be an understatement to say that the city of Hyderabad was an integeral part of this film’s narrative. Featuring Vidya Balan and ‘3 Idiots’ actor Ali Fazal in the lead, ‘Bobby Jasoos' features plenty of scenes which were filmed at places such as the Charminar and Sultan Bazaar. Unfortunately, this Samar Shaikh-directed project did not find much success at the ticket window.
Wanted: A remake of Mahesh Babu’s ‘Pokkiri’, ‘Wanted’ revolved a police officer who goes undercover in order to bring down a dreaded don. A crucial scene, in which the lead character’s true identity is revealed, was filmed at the Golconda fort. Built almost 800 years ago, the fort was used for informing the royal families about any suspicious activities or encroachments. Interestingly, ‘Wanted’ emerged a big success at the box office, re- establishing Salman Khan as a force to be reckoned with.
The Dirty Picture: Loosely based on the life of southern actress Silk Smitha, ‘The Dirty Picture’ served as strong proof of Vidya Balan’s acting abilities, helping her bag a National award. The sensuous ‘Ooh La La’ number was shot on the road leading to the popular Ramoji Film City (RFC). RFC is one of the most popular film studios in the world. It was established in 1996 by producer Ramoji Rao.
Bewafaa: Best remembered for its gripping performances, ‘Bewafaa revolved around the sensitive issue of infidelity. Two crucial scenes of the film were shot in the ‘pearl city’. The ‘Ishq Chupta Nahi’ track was filmed at the Golconda Fort. On the other hand, the memorizing Humayun’s Tomb was brought to life in a scene featuring Kareena Kapoor and Akshay Kumar.
Hero Hiralal: Directed by Ketan Mehta, ‘Hero Hiralal’ was in many ways a subtle tribute to Hyderabad’s lovable lingo. Featuring Naseeruddin Shah and Sanjana Kapoor in the lead, this Gul Anand-produced film brought to life the sights and sounds associated with the city with much finesse. Quite a few scenes were shot at places like the Golconda Fort, Hussain Sagar and the iconic Charminar. These culturally significant locations added new life to the onscreen events, making ‘Hero Hiralal’ a memorable venture.
Daawat-E-Ishq: Highlighting the cultural differences between Lucknow and Hyderabad, ‘Daawat E Ishq featured Aaditya Roy Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra in the lead roles. Given the unique nature of its storyline, the film was shot in both these cities. During the Hyderabad leg, the cast and crew shot at places such as the main Railway station. Interestingly, fared well at the box office, despite releasing alongside Sonam Kapoor’s ‘Khoobsurat’.
Cocktail: Touted as a lively romantic drama, ‘Cocktail’ created a stir in the industry thanks to the sizzling chemistry between Diana Penty, Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan. Some portions were shot on the road leading to the Ramoji Fim City. Directed by Homi Adjania, the film set the box office on fire and received favourable reviews.
Meenakshi: Boasting of some flawless cinematography from Santosh Sivan, this MF Hussain-directed venture was in some ways based on the legendary painter’s fascination with Madhuri Dixit. The film featured Tabu in the role of an ‘iftari’ seller. The ‘Haider’ star shot at the Lad market and mouthed dialogues with a Hyderabadi accent.
Rudraaksh: Directed by Mani Shankar, ‘Rudraaksh’ boasted of a surreal storyline which contained several references to Indian mythology. Featuring Sanjay Dutt in the lead, the movie was shot at the Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple in Hyderabad. Situated nearly 35 kms from the main city, this sacred monument boasts of plenty of open space making it a the ultimate choice of many filmmakers. Interestingly, some other films ‘such as ‘’Bandhan’ were also shot here.
Hyderabad Blues: A shining example of the Islamic architectural style Charminar was an part of Nagesh Kukunoor’s formative years. Hence, not surprisingly, this popular monument was featured prominently in his ‘Hyderabad Blues’. Interestingly, the film received tremendous acclaim upon release, helping the filmmaker kick start his career in style.
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