Hyderabad Blues (1998) User Reviews

charming is the word...

[agrawalmannu · 7/10 · 7 November 2005]

Every second person you meet these days wants to make a movie. If Nagesh Kukunoor can do it why can't you and I? And that is why Hyderabad Blues is such an important film. It proved that you do not need unlimited money and unaffordable stars to make a hit film. Sometimes all you need is some savings, a good script, supportive friends and a good amount of passion.

Nagesh, it seems left his job in US, came back to Hyderabad and made this small budget movie. Not expecting any great returns, he sold this film to DD which showed it in three parts on DD3 and that is when I caught it the first time. I didn't even know that it was a movie and I just started watching it. It was as if someone like me was trying to say something and on his own terms. Found it very charming and made sure that I watched the next 2 parts as well. I think the feedback must have been encouraging so it was released in theater's on a small scale so watched it again and liked it again. Word of mouth spread and it caught on so watched again with some friends and liked it again. Have seen it quite a few times now and I never get bored.

Yes, it is like a home video and the editing is crude and all that but that is the whole point. It opened a new avenue of small budget movies and showed that there are innumerable possibilities.

very Entertaining

[foxy-26 · 8/10 · 6 May 1999]

Having no knowledge of the culture of India, I found this story not only enjoyable and fun to watch, but also informative, about another country's way of living and loving. The language was a bit much, but the people and the love story was so beautiful that you just dealt with it. This was a touching and funny movie.

commendable effort by a young director

[Ravi-6 · 7/10 · 24 April 1999]

Shot in a southern India city in 17 days, this comes under low budget film category. This movie is an effort by an young Indian director. It's about Varun, a Non Resident Indian(NRI), who returns home to Hyderabad, India, after a living for 12 years in USA. Mainly its focused on the foreigner in him and conflicts (cultural) with the people he grew up with, including his parents who insist that he should get married to a girl from his caste (a subsect within the religion). He meets Ashwini a self-made doctor who hates anything that is even remotely foreign. He finally marries her. The dialogue is well written, though you see some repetition. It has a piece of music that's played repetitively, however its good. It has no known actors. It's a low-budget adventure by director/producer/writer Nagesh Kukunoor. I appreciate his efforts. With films being the passion he made it with whatever money he could save while working as a consultant. I strongly advice you to see this.

Recommended watch for NRI's

[rajooc · 10 September 2000]

A refreshing look at India and NRI's (non-resident Indians) who return to India after many years and have to learn to re-adapt themselves to a familiar culture. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie, which is a good humored comedy about a young man who, despite his initial resistance to Indian customs about arranged marriages, feels drawn to an attractive young woman doctor.

The outspoken doctor tells him, among other things. that NRI's generally look for a wife, who will end up living the life of a glorified maid. Such comments give the movie the touch of authenticity. That is what you hear in India about young men who come from abroad (particularly the USA) to get married.

The prattle between the young NRI and his two childhood friends, who discuss marriage, women, culture, etc is interesting, though at first it seems so trite.

The dialog is pretty much how people speak in India (a mix of two or even three different languages), but the subtitles are a big help.

After watching mostly the formula films of Bollywood, this movie certainly gets my vote as a must see film.

A drama much closer to reality.

[nemo_IITK · 7/10 · 11 July 2004]

I just watched the movie few days ago, and I loved it very much. This kind of movie brilliantly sketches Indian society and dilemma of a confused US returned boy, who can't help hating Indian traditions.

This movie is a good example how to make a low budget movie and to make to so effective and touching. I know we don't have a big audience for such movies in India but definitely it appeals to the urban educated crowd, who can relate themselves to any such situation.

I was a bit unsatisfied with the end of the story, it was too dramatic. Scenes have been captured beautifully, and situations are lovely. As far as performances are concerned every character sounds genuine. Movie is definitely worth watching.

incredibly warm and hilarious

[m_madhu · 9/10 · 21 November 2001]

hyderabad blues is such a simple yet brilliantly todl film. every scene is well made and clearly thoguth through. shot on a shoe-string budget this movie captures brilliantly the traditional vs. the modern india.

hyderabad blues is about an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) who returns home and his parents set out to get him married. how he falls in love and what happens eventually is the basis of the plot.

the scenes are quite hilarious although the ending is a bit disappointing. this movie was one of the biggests surprises when it was released, doing much better than the lavish bollywood movies. this multi-lingual film hit the right chords among the audience, since almost very urban indian knows or is related to somebody who has been to the U.S of A ... the American return confused Indian is a well understood concept.

the movie in all is a triumph for good storytelling over expensive production values. a terrific watch

a hilarious 9!

Can definitely empathize with characters!

[Vik-7 · 8/10 · 25 June 1999]

I liked the movie a lot..it's great fun to watch with a group of people..However, it was quite obvious that the writer had no idea how the movie should have ended..The end was disappointing.Still, the laughs at the beginning of the movie made it all worthwile!