By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

I came here from Dindigul district in 1987, the year MGR died. I lived in a small hut at the base of Tirusulam hillock near the airport, says director Balaji Sakthivel.

I used to take the train every day to Egmore, where I was working then. I was fascinated travelling in a train. In those days, people who lived in Pallavaram used to say that they are going to Madras for work. Then, as I started working in movies in the early 90s, I moved into the city and lived in neighbourhoods such as K.K. Nagar, Arumbakkam, and so on.

In those days, I used to walk everywhere. I used to walk for hours. I have walked till Parrys Corner from Pallavaram. Only when you walk, you get to realise how big the city truly is. I loved walking on Mount Road, especially near what is now Spencer’s Plaza. I was fascinated by how vehicles would zoom on the Anna Flyover.

If one wanted to work in cinema, they had to come to Chennai. In this city, we all spoke with a neutral Tamil accent. Living in mansions (bachelor accommodation), we not only met people from every district in Tamil Nadu but also those from other cultures and States as well. Chennai has given me the experience of living in a truly metropolitan city.

(As told to Udhav Naig)