Hyderabad Blues
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hyderabad Blues | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | Nagesh Kukunoor |
| Produced by | Nagesh Kukunoor |
| Written by | Nagesh Kukunoor |
| Starring | Nagesh Kukunoor, Rajshri Nair |
| Editing by | Renu Saluja |
| Release date(s) | 1998 |
| Language | English, Hindi |
| IMDb profile | |
Hyderabad Blues (1998) is a Bollywood movie directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.
 |
This article about an Indian film is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
"Hyderabad Blues" is about an American Indian vacationing back home and finding himself a foreigner in his own land.
The protagonist of Hyderabad Blues is Varun, played by the director Nagesh Kukunoor. The movie revolves around his visit home after 12 years in the USA. The essence of the film is conveyed by, "I followed traditions blindly when I lived here, but now I question them too," Varun, the protagonist of Hyderabad Blues, tells a friend who is going through an arranged marriage. He finds himself facing culture shock in reverse - no longer able to understand what he had taken for granted earlier in life. His homeland is now as foreign to him as his country of adoption.
The romantic comedy starts with Varun meeting a young lady doctor who snubs his advances. He is soon smitten, however unlike the local Indians, he wants to know her better before committing himself. This is not expected of him in Hyderabad, and after problems aplenty and some humorous and thought provoking situations they finally decide to take the plunge.
Hyderabad Blues is a first time effort by a 28 year old chemical engineer, Nagesh Kukunoor. It is supposed to have been shot in 17 days with a tiny budget of Rs 2 million. The casting is good and natural, comprising of little known amateurs. Vikram Inamdar who plays Varun's friend comes out brilliantly as a chauvinist, standing for all that is reactionary in the film in particular and India in general. His battles with Varun provide for good dialogue. The language, which is far from homely, (someone called it the "guys kinda language") enhances the effect and makes it more identifiable. This can be taken as a warning, this movie should only be seen with those with whom real world language and expressions will not make you feel uncomfortable.
The dialogue is in English, Hindi, with some Telugu thrown in for authenticity. But on the whole the film is funny and entertaining, avoiding any direct condemnation of Indian traditions or beliefs. Varun even seems to accept most of them, albeit with reservations. The scene where he runs back to add a rupee coin to the 100 rupee note, prior to approaching the doctor, stands out in this context. At the same time, he is particularly miffed when he is told that he should get married since he is the most eligible bachelor and commands the highest price in Hyderabad. The comparison between his friend and himself gets to him. As does the praise when he breaks up with his girl. And when he kisses his girlfriend, the American in him is quite mystified why she gets angry. The change in his attitudes is also highlighted well. From the young man who only thinks of how much he can earn in dollars to the adult considering other issues of deeper significance, the shift is essentially one of maturity. The film is thoughtful and lighthearted at the same time.
On the more serious side, the movie also captures some interesting moments very well. The scene where the girl who marries Varun's friend, advises her friend (the doctor) to go through everything that they wished they could in their romantic life but could not particularly stands out in context of her own marriage after she and the guy stared at the same roof for a few moments in togetherness before consenting. The scenes which follow the demise of the doctor's father are also extremely effective. The meaninglessness of the customs to begin with, and even more effective is when she talks to Varun about how she felt her father represented the male chauvinism of the previous generation. The generation gap is most brilliantly portrayed, including how the elders take the youth on a guilt trip to get them to buy-in to their designs.
After all this praise for this different movie, the description would be incomplete without a mention of the farcical climax. It tries to be funny, but not in the subtle way the entire movie is funny and falls flat in this attempt. Despite this, the movie is a most wonderful experience for a little over an hour.
