Ustad Hotel - A gem of a kind in Malayalam Cinema
11 years ago, A movie named Ustad Hotel had released. This movie was a feel good movie that explored food and culture so beautifully. Written by Anjali Menon, Directed by Anwar Rasheed. This film starred Dulquer Salmaan who would become Mollywood's Cool Guy of the New Wave Movement. This movie also starred Thilakan in his last role as Kareem Ikka. No wonder, Thilakan's career ended with a feel good movie. It won him a national award for special mention posthumously. Even if it is 11 years old, The impact that Ustad Hotel left is still fresh in our minds.
Themes:
The main themes of Ustad Hotel are Food and its nuances that play a catalytic role in personal transformation of a human being. We believe in relishing the flavors of any food that we have. The Sulaimani Chai that Faizi and Kareem Ikka drink together provides evidence to support the theme. The movie also pays homage to a Maapila Muslim Community of Kerala who have kept alive their traditions. One of the songs Appangal happens to be a Maapilapaatu written by Rafeeq Ahamed and set to tune by Gopi Sundar. There is also a sub plot which involves hunger and poverty of poor people which conveys the wisdom behind Kareem Ikka's dialogue "Any foodie can fill an empty stomach but a chef also fills a person's heart as well." This dialogue meant that we don't cook just to become famous, rather we cook to feed hungry people. This movie was a reality check for foodies.
Impact:
Sulaimani Chai became popular and every Kozhikodan could never stop thinking about it. This movie inspired a few restaurants which carry the same name in Trivandrum Pettah as well as in Chennai. This elevated Dulquer Salmaan's career to new heights. I also happened to be a fanboy of Ustad Hotel. I remember this movie when I had Sulaimani Chai before leaving to college. This movie is indeed an inseparable part of our lives.
