Private Project

Nana's Secret Recipe

What if the "Golden Girls" met "Breaking Bad"

After losing all their retirement savings in a ponzi scheme, five women band together to create a bakery serving pot desserts.

Trying to recoup their pensions, they realize one of their own is struggling with cancer, and their quest for making money becomes more important and dangerous than ever, as the local drug dealer, Kingpin Paint, discovers what they are doing.

Through it all, the nanas are bonded by their sisterhood and their desire to help a friend in need in this hilarious southern tale.

  • Mehul Shah
    Director
    Bollywood Beats, Diwali, Tied Up
  • Yolanda Avery
    Writer
  • Mehul Shah
    Writer
    Bollywood Beats, Homeland, Bug, The Best Man, Tied Up, Ticked off Trannies with Knives
  • Mansi Patel
    Producer
    Bollywood Beats, Diwali
  • Mehul Shah
    Producer
    Bollywood Beats, Bug, Tied Up, Diwali, No Loss // No Gain, Tha Bridge
  • Linda Bradshaw
    Key Cast
    "Millie"
  • Nancy L. Gray
    Key Cast
    "Abby"
  • Cinda Donovan
    Key Cast
    "Brenda"
  • Trish Powell
    Key Cast
    "Yvonne"
  • Charlotte White
    Key Cast
    "Suzanne"
  • Michelle Sherrill
    Key Cast
    "Betty"
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama, LGBT, Women, Weed
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 44 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 14, 2018
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mehul Shah

Mehul Shah began his love for film as an actor in numerous plays and commercials. He then decided to study film at Southern Methodist University, graduating first in his class with a major in Cinema. Being impatient and wanting to direct his first film right after film school, Mehul wrote, produced, and directed a film called "Diwali," a feature film dealing with the struggle of three Indian children growing up in the United States.

The film sold to Netflix and Blockbuster immediately, a huge feat for a budding young writer/director. He then went on to write and direct "Bollywood Beats," working with an award winning international cast and crew.

His other film credits include, "Tha Bridge" (Producer), "Ticked Off Trannies with Knives" (Assistant Producer), "Hold Your Peace" (Producer), "Bug" (Producer), "No Loss // No Gain" (Associate Producer) and "Tied Up" (Producer/Director). He recently starred alongside Claire Danes in the hit TV show, "Homeland."

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"We all just need to laugh a little."

In this tumultuous political climate that we live in, I just wanted to find a film project that genuinely made me smile. I stumbled upon "Nana's Secret Recipe" in one of my searches from first time screenwriter Yolanda Avery.

Strong female characters of a certain age, a fun, zany plot, and larger than life villains really made this script stand out to me. I loved how the film was reminiscent of some of my favorite 90s films, like "Steel Magnolias" & the "First Wives Club," but with an edge to it like "Breaking Bad."

We had an amazing time shooting this film in the chilly winter months in Texas, even when shooting on a beach in 40 degree weather when it's supposed to be a sunny day in Mexico, and laughing out of sleep deprivation as we pulled all-nighters to use the perfect bakery that was open during the day.

At the end of the day, I hope this film reaches the masses and makes people smile, escape their worries, and find something that we can all relate to in these wonderful women's story of friendship & sisterhood.