While the country is currently fixated on the newly-married couple — Tollywood actor Allu Sirish and Nayanika Reddy — with their chemistry and fairytale-like wedding images flooding social media, we had the opportunity to witness their dynamic up close when we shot our digital cover with them at The Quorum Hyderabad, just ahead of their wedding.
Interestingly, the two had long been on the radar of their famillies. Sirish’s sister-in-law, Sneha Reddy, and Nayanika’s sister, Mekapati Niharika Reddy, had been trying to set them up. When they finally met at a party, any lingering awkwardness quickly dissolved.
“We started talking and hanging out occasionally. It wasn’t a string of back-to-back dates — more a slow burn. Over the next two or three months, we would meet every week or ten days, sometimes at parties at her place,” said Sirish.
Their relationship unfolded without the immediate pressure of marriage. Both were clear about taking things as they came.
“When you’re in your thirties, people often ask you straight away what your intentions are — whether you’re looking for something serious or just having fun. I said I was serious, but I didn’t want to label things from day one. We agreed to revisit the conversation after a year and take it from there,” recalled Sirish.
“When we were on a holiday in Seoul with her friends, that’s when I said “I love you”. By the end of that trip we realised we were really good for each other. That was also when we decided it was time for our famillies to connect.”
There was no dramatic proposal that followed. Instead, their relationship evolved organically into something deeper. “Everyone could see that we were already travelling together and spending a lot of time together, so the question naturally came up — should we put a label on the relationship? That’s when I spoke to Sirish about it. He said he didn’t want to rush into an engagement or marriage, but he was comfortable with our families meeting,” said Nayanika.
Once their families connected, things moved swiftly. The couple soon got engaged and were recently married in Hyderabad.
Ahead of the wedding, Sirish’s elder brother, Allu Arjun, hosted a grand pre-wedding celebration in Hyderabad. Speaking about their bond, Sirish shared, “I’m almost like a son to my brother. Ever since I was a kid, he would say that when I got married, he would throw a huge party. He has a farmhouse, and for years he had been planning to host a big celebration there. So when the time finally came, he invited everyone — my friends, our common friends, and people he knew. He told me not to worry about the logistics at all. ‘You’re the groom. Just show up and enjoy,’ he said.”
“He even called people directly instead of asking me to do it. It turned into an incredible night. He simply wanted to celebrate me and Nayanika. In many ways, it felt like something straight out of a 1990s film,” he added.
Following this, Sirish and Nayanika’s families hosted a pre-wedding reception for extended family and guests, drawing a notable mix of personalities from the worlds of entertainment and business.
The wedding ceremony itself was more intimate, with approximately 300 to 400 guests in attendance. When it comes to weddings, luxury can mean different things to different people. For the couple, however, there were no rigid non-negotiables.
“The truth is, we’re already incredibly fortunate. Neither of our families is taking a loan to host the wedding,” he laughed.
“We’re working with some of the best decor artists and caterers, and our outfits are being designed from scratch by leading designers rather than taken off the rack. That, in itself, feels like a luxury. When the foundation is already this considered, I didn’t feel the need to add anything excessive,” Sirish shared.
While designer Anamika Khanna brought her signature aesthetic to their wedding wardrobe, some of the most meaningful elements were deeply personal. “My father passed away in 2012, but there is one piece of jewellery that means a lot to me. Our family jeweller, Kishan Das, made it — it’s a beautiful ruby and diamond piece. My sister wore it for her reception, and I’m planning to wear it for mine as well. I hope my youngest sister, who is eight years younger than me, will also wear it one day. It’s timeless, and something I hope becomes a family heirloom,” said Nayanika.
Speaking about her wedding outfit, she added, “We bought a Kanjivaram saree first. Anamika Khanna then worked on it. The only brief I gave her was that I didn’t want the saree to be heavily embroidered. I wanted it to remain subtle and elegant. She did delicate pearl work while leaving the zari border visible, which I loved. The result is understated, yet undeniably special.”
Like any relationship, theirs comes with its share of challenges — something they openly acknowledge. “Not just days — moments every day! And honestly, sometimes I talk to ChatGPT. It gives surprisingly empathetic advice,” said Sirish.
“For me, togetherness means accepting each other’s flaws and celebrating what we have in common. We both lived our lives independently for decades, and now we are suddenly sharing a home and a life together. That transition requires patience and acceptance,” he says.
“She is very methodical, analytical, and logical. I’m much more instinctive and emotional. I tend to act on my feelings, while she prefers things broken down logically. Neither of us will fundamentally change for the other, but we will influence each other over time. In many ways, our differences create balance. If both of us were impulsive, life would become chaotic. If both of us were overly methodical, life would lose its spontaneity.”
Sirish believes that togetherness lies in embracing both the highs and the complexities of a relationship.
Nayanika echoes this sentiment: “Besides acceptance, I think supporting each other in being exactly who we are is very important. Even if I disagree with something, I can still support him in the decision he ultimately makes. Growing up in a relatively conservative society like Hyderabad, there are many expectations—especially around marriage and life milestones. Having a partner who supports you regardless of those pressures gives you immense strength. That support creates a solid foundation for both people to grow individually as well.”