Faiza Rizvi
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Famous for their hilarious dialogues and impeccable timing, Indian actors Akbar Bin Tabar, Aziz Naser and Mast Ali, along with other artists of Hyderabad film industry, arrived in Jeddah recently for a stage performance. In an exclusive interview to Saudi Gazette, the actors explained how their debut movie ‘The Angrez’, which was initially rejected by over 80 producers, eventually gained international recognition and gave them worldwide acceptance.
“When we originally recorded a 30-minute sample video of the movie and showed it to several producers, nobody was ready to produce it because they said the idea of a comedy film using Hyderabadi slang coupled with actors having no experience just wouldn’t work,” said Mast Ali, who has become world renowned as ‘Salim Pheku’, after the success of the his debut movie ‘The Angrez’ in which he played the role of an excessively funny and boastful character. However, when M. Sridhar Rao finally agreed to produce the movie, which was directed by Nikhil Kuntaa, ‘The Angrez’, which was released in Oct 2005, soared to popularity worldwide from the third day of its release. It was screened for more than 25 houseful weeks in cinema, celebrating its successful silver jubilee.
The roaring success of “The Angrez” became the starting point of a successful career for Mast Ali and Aziz Naser — both showing hilarious on-screen chemistry. As a duo they were much appreciated by audience, after which they worked together in several other Hyderabadi-slang hit movies. Aziz Naser, popularly known among the people as ‘Jhangir’ (the character’s name in his debut movie ‘The Angrez’) is an all-rounder — an actor, director, standup comedian and is credited to being one of the founders of the Hyderabadi film industry, with over 15 films under his belt. The Hyderabadi community across the globe, relate to the rich essence of the city’s landmarks such as Charminar, Irani Chai and the bustling old city area, which the movie presented, in addition to the rib-tickling use of ‘Hyderabadi’ slang language. Mast Ali, who is visiting the Kingdom for the first time, told Saudi Gazette that his debut movie “The Angrez” till date continues to be a favorite, especially among the tourists who visit Hyderabad city for the first time, and watch the film to understand the true flavor of the city’s culture.
What’s unique about their movies is that despite being outrageously funny; they convey socially-relevant messages. “It’s not an easy task to make audience laugh and convey serious messages at the same time, but I believe our ability to do so is a gift from God. We’re very thankful that our movies not only make people laugh with the heavy dose of comedy, but also attract their attention to a number of sensitive societal issues.”
When asked about his opinion on facilitation through award ceremonies, Ali explained that the Hyderabadi movie industry is just nine years old, compared to other established movie industries in India which have been running for decades. “We’re happy in our little kingdom and when we see audience laughing while watching our movies in cinema, that is our biggest achievement, which is even greater than receiving an Oscar award.”
Ali, who has over 7-8 Hyderabadi slang films under his belt, has also acted in few Telugu movies and now is being approached to work in Kannada and Tamil movies. He stole the show with his unique style of comedy in movies such as “Hyderabad Nawabs”, “Berozgaar”, “Half fry” and “Hungama in Dubai”, some of which were dubbed in Telugu and other south Indian languages also. Their upcoming movie “Daawat-e-Shaadi” which is set to release on March 4, guarantees again a heavy dose of high-voltage entertainment.
Akbar Bin Tabar, king of comedy, who started his career as a standup comedian, has worked in total of 18 movies, which includes mostly Hyderabadi slang movies, few Telugu movies and special appearance in 3 – 4 movies in Bollywood. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, he stated that it was for the first time that he revealed his age to a media person, and said that he is 29-year old. Tabar told Saudi Gazette that he was initially approached by the team of “The Angrez” but had turned down the offer since it didn’t appeal to him and his parents were also against the idea of acting in movies at that time. However, the outstanding success of the movie motivated him to act in Hyderabadi movies too. After the success of his debut movie ‘Hyderabad Nawabs’, he moved out of his parents’ house and stayed with his aunt for 6 months. When “Hyderabad Nawabs” was much appreciated by audience, his family realized his immense talent. Tabar is well known for his mimicry, punch-lines and entertaining dialogues. He said even today when he meets people anywhere in India, especially in Hyderabaad, they often request him to say his famous dialogue from his debut movie, “Khoon Kharabe Ke Khandan se Houn” again and again.
He attributed the success of his journey in Hyderabadi cinema to Aziz Naser, when the latter recognized his acting talent and encouraged him to take up comic roles in Hyderabadi films. “Our main motive is to make people laugh and I feel extremely privileged to be named as one of the top performers,” said Tabar.
Also accompanying the artists from Hyderabad is a well-known playback singer Simran Raashida, who has come to the Kingdom for the first time. Speaking to Saudi Gazette she said, “She is happy to perform her first Umrah.. She has sung in several movies and was recently been honored with the title “Melody Princess of Telangana” by the government of Telengana.
Zeeshan Janbaaz, who has been assisting his elder brother Aziz Naser in directing several movies, has also worked as an assistant director for the famous Bollywood movie “Daawat-e-Ishq”.
Khairuddin Baig Jaani, commonly known as “Jaani” in public who is also accompanying the Hyderabadi celebrities in Jeddah is a veteran standup comedian, who has also worked in a few Hyderabadi movies. Akbar Bin Tabar and K.B. Jaani have performed in 2 different shows in Riyadh and 1 show in Al-Khobar before coming to Jeddah.
