Madras Day: Three actors share their favourite Chennai food memories

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An old photograph of Buhari Hotel on Anna Salai | Photo Credit: RAGU R

Veteran actor Nalini Nair, a familiar face for television audiences, was born and raised in Chennai. She entered the Tamil film industry with Raanuva Veeran (1981) and went on to make a mark in Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam films as well. After a hiatus from acting since 1988, Nalini ventured into television with Krishna Daasi in 2000. There has been no looking back since.

The 62-year-old actor, who is busy shooting for television serials from 7 am until late evening, never leaves home without her trusty tiffin carrier, packed with home-cooked meals. “I generally avoid outside food these days, especially when I am at the shooting location. I normally prefer to eat idlis for dinner, and that too by 7 pm,” says Nalini.

For Nalini, Impala Hotel on Anna Salai kindles fond memories of her childhood, when her mother introduced her to falooda and chole batura. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A long-time resident of Valasaravakkam, Nalini has fond memories of an Udupi hotel on Kodambakkam High Road, which she frequented with her siblings. “My siblings and I used to love the idlis at this Udupi hotel. For two idlis, we would literally drink a litre of sambar,” she chuckles. Her family’s celebratory meals in the 1970s and ’80s often meant a visit to Impala Hotel, Anna Salai. “It was here that my Amma introduced us to chole bhatura and falooda for the first time. The taste and the experience are etched in my memory,,” she recalls. Sadly this restaurant no longer exists.

When it comes to cooking, Nalini’s signature dishes are Kerala-style fish curry and fish fry, both of which her son and daughter eagerly look forward to. “At home, it is a tradition to make idli with d and mutton chukka for Sunday breakfast.

These days, her favourite spot for idli, dosa and sambar is any branch of Geetham . For non-vegetarian food, she always prefers to order from New Andhra Meals Hotel in Valasaravakkam . “I especially love their Gongura Chicken. When it is on their menu, I will get a call from the owner,” she says. “These days, I rarely eat out, except when my son and daughter take me out for dinner. Unlike me, they prefer Japanese or Korean food. Recently, I enjoyed the taste of ramen, which suited my palate.”

Actor Nassar, who made his debut with Kalyana Agathigal in 1985 and rose to fame with his role as a police officer in Mani Ratnam’s Nayakan (1987), has spent much of his life in Chennai.

As a pre-teen, Nassar would travel to Chennai from Chengalpattu with his father, Mehaboob Basha, who worked in jewellery polishing. “He would make a monthly trip to Parry’s Corner to buy some of the chemicals he needed for his work.