Once a peaceful pocket in the heart of Jubilee Hills, Film Nagar was best known for its quiet lanes, film studios, and the occasional celebrity sighting. It had a certain hush to it, it was a place tucked away from the chaos of central Hyderabad. Over the years, its identity was shaped by its proximity to Tollywood’s inner circle and residential calm.
Today, Film Nagar is almost unrecognisable. Cafes have popped everywhere in the neighbourhood, many set up right beside or opposite each other. Whether you are looking for a cold brew, an aesthetic corner for Instagram, or a plate of peri peri fries, you will find a new cafe just a few steps away, sometimes even before you are done with the one you are at. The once-quiet colony has gradually become a buzzing destination for the city’s cafe-hoppers.
To understand this dramatic shift in Film Nagar’s identity, Siasat.com set out on a walk through the neighbourhood and traced how it turned into Hyderabad’s most caffeinated stretch.
Film Nagar in yesteryears
Before it became a hotspot for lattes and croissants, Film Nagar was a quiet, largely residential colony with strong ties to Hyderabad’s film industry. It derived its name from the many film studios and production houses in the area, especially Ramanaidu Studios and several post-production setups that brought a sense of exclusivity to the locality as well as the film industry.
It definitely was not the kind of area you dropped in casually. The streets were calm, with only the occassional bustle from film crew activity or studio staff. Commercial activity was minimal and limited to essential stores and the odd Irani Chai spot that served locals and crew members alike. The charm of Film Nagar lied in its stillness, its lush green lanes and the air of privacy it held. Even as neighbourhoods like Road No. 36 or Madhapur opened up to trendier spots, Film Nagar remained relatively untouched.
A cafe at every step
The turning point in Film Nagar’s identity came with the arrival of a new kind of space that offered more than just a place to sit and relax. When cafes like Concu and Churrolto opened their doors in the neighbourhood, they brought an entirely different energy. With their elegant interiors, refined presence, luxurious menus and prices, it set the tone for what was to follow. Soon after, names like Bottega Cafe, Cravery Cafe, Aaromale Cafe and many more made their mark in the area, completely redefining what people expected from the area.
These cafes were just the beginning of a wave. Over the next few years, cafes began appearing across the neighbourhood at an astonishing pace. Some took over former residential spaces, while others popped up beside each other on the same stretch of road. Today, the area is dotted with cafes at every corner.
Best cafes in Film Nagar Hyderabad
Some notable and recent additions in the area are —
- True Black Coffee
- Feranoz
- Kisscoff
- Era Bistro
- Vibeyard Bistro
- Sabha Specialty Coffee
- Wool Cup
- Fienfi
- Twofold Coffee
- Cravery Cafe
- Concu
- Churrolto
What’s served across these cafes shares common themes: artisanal sandwiches and pastas, cold brews, dessert‑forward plates, and spaces designed for social media. Interiors feature terrazzo tiles, quirky neon signs, pastel walls, and lush green outdoor seating spaces where groups, couples and influencers converge.
What was once a quiet colony known for its discretion has now become one of the most active cafe zones in Hyderabad. The pace of this shift has been so rapid, it is easy to forget that just a few years ago, Filmnagar was not even on the city’s hangout map.
What’s next for Film Nagar?
Filmnagar’s transformation is a reflection of Hyderabad’s evolving lifestyle, where neighbourhoods once known for silence are now defined by conversation, clinking cups, and curated corners. While the cafe boom has brought new energy and footfall to the area, it has also blurred the very character that made Filmnagar distinct. Whether this change is a passing trend or a permanent shift, one thing is certain: the colony will never be the same again.
