JessDudley8515 at 13:24, 8 April 2026

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{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Meenaxi: Tale of Three Cities
| image = Meenaxi, A Tale of Three Cities, 1995 film.jpg
| director = [[M. F. Husain]]
| producer = Reima Husain Faiza Husain
| writer = '''Story & Dialogue:''' M. F. Husain [[Owais Husain]]
| screenplay = Owais Husain
| starring = [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] [[Raghubir Yadav]] [[Nadira Babbar]] [[Kunal Kapoor (actor, born 1977)|Kunal Kapoor]]
| music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| cinematography = [[Santosh Sivan]]
| editing = [[A. Sreekar Prasad]]
| distributor = [[Yash Raj Films]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Film Distribution Company - Movie Distributors in Theaters|website=[[Yash Raj Films]]|access-date=15 April 2022|url=https://www.yashrajfilms.com/divisions/yrf-distribution-india|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617155157/https://www.yashrajfilms.com/divisions/yrf-distribution-india|url-status=live}}</ref>
| released = {{Film date|2004|4|2|df=y}}
| language = Hindi
| country = India
}}

'''''Meenaxi: Tale of Three Cities''''' (or '''''Meenaxi''''') is a 2004 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[musical drama film]] directed by [[M. F. Husain]] starring [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]], [[Raghubir Yadav]], [[Nadira Babbar]] and [[Kunal Kapoor (actor, born 1977)|Kunal Kapoor]]. The film is centered on [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] novelist Nawab (Yadav) who is suffering from [[writer's block]]. After five years and no stories, Nawab comes across an unconventional muse, Meenaxi (Tabu). The three cities referred to in the title are [[Hyderabad]], [[Jaisalmer]] and [[Prague]]. The film features a [[Meenaxi (soundtrack)|score and soundtrack]] by [[A. R. Rahman]].

It is semi-autobiographical in some aspects. There are allusions to Husain's own experiences with his muse, [[Madhuri Dixit]], with whom he made his previous film, ''[[Gaja Gamini]]'' (2000).<ref>{{cite web |author=thrki |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2004/03/21/stories/2004032100370500.htm |title=Cinematic vision |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=21 March 2004|accessdate=2023-08-22 |archive-date=29 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040629184700/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2004/03/21/stories/2004032100370500.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The film was screened in the Marché du Film section of the [[2005 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/Meenaxi-Tale-of-3-cities-screened-at-Cannes/223181|title=Meenaxi: Tale of 3 cities screened at Cannes|publisher=|access-date=18 October 2014|archive-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023065726/http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/Meenaxi-Tale-of-3-cities-screened-at-Cannes/223181|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Synopsis ==
Nawab, a popular Hyderabadi novelist, is suffering from a classic case of writer's block. Five years have passed, and stories of substance seem to have dried up. Then, almost providentially, Nawab comes across a young woman named Meenaxi. She's enigmatic and individualistic – and not quite willing to perform the part of a passive muse. But that doesn't deter a rejuvenated Nawab from giving her different personae – she can be the mysterious perfume trader of Hyderabad, the exotic desert bloom of Jaisalmer or the orphaned Maria of Prague. Inexorably, she consolidates her command over the novelist. She dismisses his renewed attempts at writing as insubstantial and hackneyed, plunging him into a state of deeper despair. She is scathingly critical about his story and is amused by one of his characters, the lovelorn and awkward Kameshwar. Finally, as Nawab strives on a new page all over again, Meenaxi comments that perhaps the book is in vain. In any case, it is much too late. The writer must survive and live, if he can, without her support, inspiration and criticism.

==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] in a [[dual role|triple role]] as
**Meenaxi
**Tanu
**Maria Zarkova
* [[Raghubir Yadav]] as Nawab
* [[Nadira Babbar]] as Khala / Masi
* [[Kunal Kapoor (actor, born 1977)|Kunal Kapoor]] as Kameshwar Mathur
* Sadiya Turabi as Naghma<ref name="TOI">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/akhil-akkineni-gets-engaged-to-zainab-ravdjee-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-fiance-of-the-tollywood-star/articleshow/115706196.cms|title=Akhil Akkineni gets engaged to Zainab Ravdjee: Everything you need to know about the fiancée of the Tollywood star|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=26 November 2024|access-date=20 February 2026}}</ref>
* Zainab Ravdjee as Naghma's friend<ref name="TOI"/>
* [[Sharat Saxena]] as Maharawal
* [[Bharat Kapoor]] as Masa
* [[Remo D'Souza]] as Kameshwar's friend
*Sagar Ishan Arya as Karanveer
}}

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities
| type = soundtrack
| artist = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 3 January 2004 (India)
| recorded = [[Panchathan Record Inn]]
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[World Music|World]]
| length = 39:52
| label = [[Sony BMG]]
| producer = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| prev_title = [[Udhaya (film)|Udhaya]]
| prev_year = 2004
| next_title = [[New (film)|New]]
| next_year = 2004
}}
[[A. R. Rahman]] composed music for the film, with lyrics written by [[Rahat Indori]], M. F. Husain, and [[Sukhwinder Singh]]. The music for ''Meenaxi'' was released on 3 January 2004, generating controversies for the song "Noor-Un-Ala" which had lyrics from the [[Quran]].<ref name="controversy">{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/does-mf-husain-love-controversy/9569-8.html |title=Why controversy dogs MF Husain - Movies News News - IBNLive |website=ibnlive.in.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618001719/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/does-mf-husain-love-controversy/9569-8.html |archive-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The song "Noor-Un-Ala-Noor" is a [[Sufi music|Sufi style]] song sung by Murtaza Khan and Qadir Khan, together called Khan brothers. Lyrics for the song were by [[M. F. Hussain]] which slightly adapted the [[Quran]]ic verses honouring [[Allah]] to honour the lead character Meenaxi.<ref name="controversy" />

The audio was released on 3 January 2004 creating controversy regarding the song "Noor-Un-Ala" which had lyrics directly taken from the [[Quran]].<ref name="controversy"/> The film was pulled from cinemas a day after some Muslim organisations raised objections to the song.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040417/nation.htm#8 |title=Husain pulls Meenaxi out of theatres |access-date=5 June 2012 |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324075630/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040417/nation.htm#8 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Album reviews
|rev1 = [[Bollywood Hungama]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/7123/index.html |title=Meenaxi : Music Review by Joginder Tuteja |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=3 February 2004 |accessdate=2023-08-22 |archive-date=29 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529022154/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/7123/index.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
}}

=== Track listing ===
{| class="wikitable tracklist" style="font-size:95%;"
|-
! Track # !! Song !! Singer(s) !! Lyrics !! Length !! Notes
|-
| 1
| "Yeh Rishta"
| [[Reena Bhardwaj]]
| [[Rahat Indori]]
| 4:40
| [[Strings (music)|Strings]] by [[John Themis]] Reused in [[Sakkarakatti]] as "Naan Eppodhu"
|-
| 2
| "Chinnamma Chilakkamma"
| Sukhwinder Singh
| Sukhwinder Singh
| 5:45
| Reused in ''Sakkarakatti'' as "Chinnamma Chilakkamma" Partly sung in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] by [[Ganga Sitharasu|Ganga]], [[Febi Mani|Febi]], Kanchana, [[A. R. Reihana]]
|-
| 3
| "Do Kadam"
| [[Sonu Nigam]]
| Rahat Indori
| 5:58
| [[Strings (music)|Strings]] by [[Rashid Ali (singer)|Rashid Ali]] Flute by [[Naveen Kumar (Flautist)|Naveen Kumar]]
|-
| 4
| "Dhuan Dhuan"
| [[Asha Bhonsle]]
| Rahat Indori
| 5:42
| Additional vocals by [[Kunal Ganjawala]] Percussions by [[Sivamani (percussionist)|Sivamani]] [[Groove (music)|Additional Grooves]] by [[James Asher]]
|-
| 5
| "Rang Hai"
| [[Alka Yagnik]]
| Rahat Indori
| 5:21
| Additional Vocals by Dallinda Percussions by [[Hossam Ramzy]]
|-
| 6
| "Noor-Un-Ala-Noor"
| Murtuza Khan, Qadir Khan
| M. F. Husain
| 6:55
|
|-
| 7
| "Cyclist's Rhythm"
| [[Instrumental]]
|
| 3:01
| Percussions by Sivamani Flute by [[Naveen Kumar (Flautist)|Naveen Kumar]]
|-
| 8
| "Potter's Village"
| [[Instrumental]]
|
| 2:28
| Percussions by [[Hossam Ramzy]] [[Strings (music)|Strings]] by John Themis
|}

== Reception ==
Ronjita Kulkarni of [[Rediff.com]] called the film "poetry in colour", and praised Tabu's performance, writing, "Tabu is brilliant. The way she teases the two men in the film is spectacular. She is aided, of course, by Husain's knack of presenting his women beautifully, like he did to [[Madhuri Dixit]] in [[Gaja Gamini]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/01meenaxi.htm|title=Tabu is GLORIOUS!|first=Ronjita|last=Kulkarni|website=[[Rediff]]|date=1 April 2004|access-date=22 August 2023|archive-date=31 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731110908/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/01meenaxi.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Derek Elley]] of [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] wrote, "Painter-cum-filmmaker M.F. Husain lets palette take precedence over plotting in “Meenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities,” a beautifully lensed tale of a writer bewitched by a female muse that desperately needs a more solid script. An artier, free-form take on Bollywood formulae, this showcase for actress Tabu (niece of veteran thesp Shabana Azmi) could find a niche offshore on the strength of its visuals and the varied score by composer du jour A.R. Rahman, though wider dissemination will be on ancillary."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/meenaxi-tale-of-3-cities-1200533019/|title=Meenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities|first=Derek|last=Elley|date=5 June 2004|access-date=22 August 2023|archive-date=10 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610051208/http://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/meenaxi-tale-of-3-cities-1200533019/|url-status=live}}</ref> Manish Gajjar of [[BBC.com]] wrote that the film "will appeal to those who appreciate art. It is definitely not one of your run of the mill Bollywood's [[Masala film|masala films]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/films/bollywood/2004/04/meenaxi_review.shtml|last=Gajjar|first=Manish|title=BBC - Shropshire - Bollywood - Meenaxi Review|website=[[BBC.co.uk]]|access-date=22 August 2023|date=14 December 2004|archive-date=14 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041214095139/http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/films/bollywood/2004/04/meenaxi_review.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Awards==
* [[51st National Film Awards|2003]]: [[National Film Awards]]:
** [[National Film Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]]: [[Sharmishta Roy]]<ref name="51stawardPDF">{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/51st_nff_2004.pdf|title=51st National Film Awards|publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]|accessdate=3 November 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234942/http://dff.nic.in/2011/51st_nff_2004.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2005: [[Zee Cine Awards]]
** Best Art Direction: Sharmishta Roy
** [[Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]]: [[Santosh Sivan]]{{cn|date=August 2023}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0366761}}

[[Category:2004 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Urdu-language Indian films]]
[[Category:2004 films]]
[[Category:Films shot in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman]]
[[Category:Films whose production designer won the Best Production Design National Film Award]]
[[Category:Films distributed by Yash Raj Films]]
[[Category:2000s Urdu-language films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Films set in Prague]]
[[Category:Films shot in Prague]]
[[Category:Films set in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Films shot in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Films about writers]]
[[Category:Films about nobility]]
[[Category:Films about interclass romance]]
[[Category:Films about Islam]]

Meenaxi: Tale of Three Cities - Revision history

JessDudley8515 at 13:24, 8 April 2026