Revathy and Nithya Menen on ‘Modern Love Hyderabad’: Love and bonding over food in this long-pending collaboration

Hyderabadi food is an integral part of their story, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, say actors Revathy and Nithya Menen

The first story of Modern Love Hyderabad, which will stream on Amazon Prime Video on July 8, will feature powerhouse performers Revathy and Nithya Menen as mother and daughter. The short story My Unlikely Dream Pandemic Partner, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, portrays the characters, Mehrunisa and Noori, who are compelled to address relationship issues and strengthen their bond in the process. In this interview with The Hindu, the two actors state that this has been a “long-pending collaboration”.

Nithya recalls meeting Revathy years ago on the sets of the Tamil film Veppam: “Revathy ma’am discussed a story she wanted to direct, which did not happen. Later, Anjali (Menon) wanted to make a film with the two of us as mother and daughter, which also did not happen. So when this collaboration happened, I jumped at it.” To this, Revathy pitches in: “It happened, at last,” and adds that the digital space has helped forge unusual and interesting collaborations. 

The duo got to work with Nagesh Kukunoor, a pioneer in the indie cinema space for India. Revathy asserts, “It is lovely to be able to narrate beautiful stories without worrying about box office constraints.” Nithya agrees, “Whenever any project is discussed, there is always the question of feasibility. It is wonderful that these constraints are beginning to melt away slowly.” Both the actors are not new to alternate formats of entertainment. While Nithya has been a part of the web series, Breathe: Into the Shadows, Revathy has worked in Tamil television projects beginning with Iravil Oru Pagal and Penn, among several others in the 1990s. She has also directed stories for the anthologies, Kerala Cafe and Mumbai Cutting, and acted in Navarasa.

The trailer of Modern Love Hyderabad shows a glimpse of the two actors sharing a meal in front of the historic Charminar in the Old City of Hyderabad. Revathy discloses that the scene was filmed around 3am, and the otherwise bustling area sported a deserted look. 

Nithya made her debut in Telugu cinema in 2011 with Ala Modalaindi and Revathy way back in 1984. This is one of the few times the actors are part of a story set in the bylanes of the Old City. Revathy says she is familiar with the Old City’s food and shopping jaunts. 

Food is also an integral part of their short story. Revathy warns, “Be prepared to get hungry watching the show. I would suggest that everyone gets some good food on their plate while watching our episode.” 

City specials such as Hyderabadi dum biryani and mutton kheema were used as part of the story. “We had a chef, Anjum, who dished out amazing Hyderabad specialities,” shares Revathy. Nithya reveals that she entered the sets as a vegetarian and walked out returning to her non-vegetarian ways: “They served me vegetarian kheema and similar variations but Revathy ma’am would sit across and relish the mutton dishes and I too ended up indulging.”