Suma Kanakala & Director Nandini Reddy Judge Chef Mantra Project K – Season 6 on aha!

Burnt Pans, Belly Laughs & Star-Spangled Kitchens: Suma Kanakala and Nandini Reddy Fire Up Chef Mantra Project K – Season 6 on aha!

"We Specifically Pick Celebs Who Can't Cook!": Suma & Nandini on the Fun Behind the Bench

*"Five seasons went by in a flash, and coming back for Season 6 feels like returning to my second home. But this time, I insisted on dragging Nandini Reddy into the kitchen with me! She hesitated initially, wondering how a feature director would fit into an unscripted cooking show, but I told her: that's exactly why she belongs here.

The best part of 'Chef Mantra' isn't gourmet mastery—it's that half our celebrity contestants barely know how to switch on a stove! We intentionally hunt for people who can't cook, hand them raw ingredients, and watch the madness unfold. Huge credit to Rammohan, Kavitha, Haripriya, and Shravani for expanding the show's footprint all the way to Telugu households in the US."*

— Suma Kanakala

• Nandini Reddy on Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone: "I generally avoid reality TV, but watching show creators Nithin and Bharat work made me realize they are the Rajamoulis of unscripted entertainment! I said yes mainly because of Allu Aravind garu and Suma. Sitting on that judging panel, I felt like the most junior student on set. Every single day was packed with razor-sharp punchlines, disastrous dishes, and unbelievable humor. Sharing the screen with Suma was an absolute blast."

The Creators’ Confession: "We Owe the Judges an Apology!"

• A 14-Year Creative Run: Nithin shared: "We've spent 14 years creating shows with complete heart and passion. This season wouldn't have reached this scale without the infectious energy of Suma, the warmth of Nandini garu, and continuous backing from aha."
• The Taste-Test Trauma: Bharat joked: "Everyone is praising Suma garu and Nandini garu, but as creators, we actually owe them a public apology for forcing them to taste some of the experimental concoctions prepared on that floor! What we can promise viewers is 100% wholesome family entertainment."
• aha's Perspective: Official representative Kavitha added that Chef Mantra has surpassed expectations season after season, noting that the overwhelming response to the Season 6 trailer signals another massive viewership spike for the platform.

Celebrity Contestants on the Kitchen Griddle

• Past Winner Returns: Kavya, who took home the trophy in a previous edition, is back for another round, calling Season 6 far more competitive, fast-paced, and hilarious.
• Arjun Ambati’s Double Dose: Television favorite Arjun Ambati expressed delight at being part of back-to-back seasons, noting that the production design and celebrity roasts have leveled up substantially.
• The Accidental Cooking Duo: Actress Reethu Chowdary drew giggles while describing her pairing with Vishnu Priya: "Neither of us has any real cooking skills. We were thrown in together, and we can only thank Suma garu and Nandini garu for bravely enduring our dishes without walking off set!"

Streaming Schedule & Viewing Details