Where Pranav bought bun porotta and beef: The real eatery behind 'Hridayam'

If you have watched the Malayalam movie Hridayam, you probably remember the scene where Pranav treats Kalyani to bun porotta and beef. That charming moment was not shot in a styled-up movie set but at a very real, very unpretentious eatery near Kollengode in Palakkad. Ayyappan Chettan’s Kada, tucked away in this quiet town, has since become a small legend.

The shop found statewide fame after director Vineeth Sreenivasan shared a note about it during the shoot of Hridayam. What was once a humble roadside eatery known mostly to locals suddenly drew curious visitors who wanted to taste the food that made it to the big screen.

Former Kerala Tourism Deputy Director Prashanth Vasudev recently dropped in for lunch and shared his experience. What he found was not hype but hearty, honest food served at prices that feel almost unreal today.

The spread is generous and deeply rooted in local flavour. There is fish sourced from the Malampuzha Dam, simmered curries of chicken and beef, and simple meals that taste like they came straight out of a home kitchen. A full meal with chicken curry or beef curry costs just Rs 60. Fried fish comes at Rs 70, a price that was revised only recently. In a time when restaurant bills often shock, this feels like a throwback to another era.

The eatery opens only in the morning and at noon, and regulars know that a short wait is part of the ritual. The aromas drift out long before you step in, and the clatter of plates mixes with easy conversation.

Prashanth also spoke to Vinu, Ayyappan Chettan’s son, who shared the shop’s journey. The business has been around for years and once functioned from a tiny shed that could seat just nine people. After Vineeth Sreenivasan’s post during the film shoot, the crowd swelled and the shop expanded. The story feels almost cinematic in itself, a reminder of how a single mention can change the trajectory of a small family-run establishment.

One detail stood out during the visit. The kitchen is run entirely by local women from the neighbourhood. There are no migrant workers here, only familiar faces from nearby homes, cooking with the kind of ease that comes from doing something for years. That sense of community lingers in every plate served.

In Kollengode, Ayyappan Chettan’s Kada is more than a film location. It is proof that good food, fair prices and a bit of serendipity can turn a modest nine-seat shed into a destination.