During a madcap evening in one of Hyderabad’s trendiest neighborhoods, hipsters rub shoulders to the tunes of Tollywood — the moniker for the local burgeoning Telugu film industry. Banjara Hills, one of the city’s bustling enclaves, is lined with nightclubs and pubs serving popular Kingfisher beer.

The new Taj Falaknuma Palace, the former residence of the nizam of Hyderabad, is sprawling with hints of a princely India. The property completed a 10-year renovation, and jetsetters now glide along its marble floors toward the Hookah Lounge.

Meanwhile, at the recently opened Park Hotel Somajiguda, glamorati sip on cocktails at this architectural masterpiece by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and talk turns to nearby Hussain Sagar Lake. There, audiences queue for late-night shows at the Prasads IMAX, whose five screens often showcase the latest Hollywood flicks.

Insiders call Hyderabad the most happening place in southern India. It’s amazing fodder, but India’s fourthlargest city and capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh is poised for other-worldliness as the planet sets its sights on a new and improved city. Often dubbed the “City of Pearls,” this ancient city 440 miles southeast of Mumbai is no stranger to good fortune. Many of its historic landmarks tout a dynastic grandeur.

Nighttime is the time to check out Charminar, the city’s beloved landmark akin to New York City’s Statue of Liberty or Paris’ Eiffel Tower. Shutterbugs snap pictures of the four-minaret structure that originally stood in the city center. It’s a favorite lovers’ hangout and a preferred spot among the Hyderabadis, who welcome visitors to this breathtaking site.

Built in 1591, markets bustle around Charminar, with vendors of every stripe vying for the attention of passersby. Be sure to visit Lad Bazar, considered the place for shopping and as old as Hyderabad itself. Expect plenty of color, charm and stunning displays of jewels, bangles and pearls.

As the sun sets, a riveting sound and light show illuminates the historic Golconda Fort with a memorable nightly performance.

With the likes of Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft and other high-tech giants setting up shop amid the lush backdrop, Western influences have meshed in this mosaic of cultures, of which Hindu and Muslim are  predominant. Witness the profusion of U.S. bars and luxe hotels, all of which bow to culinary bastions and sleek cafés. By the posh GVK One Mall in Banjara Hills, the night begins at the Hard Rock Café, where local bands regularly compete for their chance to perform at the upcoming Hard Rock Calling London later this summer.

At Ramoji Film City, a world of fantasy opens as the globe’s largest film studio complex regularly ushers in the curious to watch film shoots and tours. For a bird’s-eye view, the Ramoji Tower is the ticket.

Late-night moviegoers find plenty on offer at multiplexes throughout the city; Hyderabad’s main commercial center, Chikkadpally, is home to 20 cinemas. Or head to Kompally, one of Hyderabad’s fastest-growing suburbs, to take in a show at the four-screen multiplex known as Cine Planet.

Hyderabad’s night show — whether at ancient landmarks or new cinemas and trendy clubs — truly entertains.

Weblinks

Andhra Pradesh Tourism

India Ministry of Tourism

Park Hotel Somajiguda

Prasads IMAX

Ramoji Film City

Taj Falaknuma Palace