Madras Day: Actors Share Food Memories

Food is often closely connected to childhood memories, family and important moments in life. For Tamil actors Nalini Nair, Nassar and Pasupathy, food has become more than just something to eat. Their favourite dishes and old restaurants remind them of their childhood, family life and the changing food culture of Chennai.

Nalini Nair’s Love for Simple Food

Television actress Nalini Nair grew up in Chennai and began her film career in 1981. After taking a break from acting, she returned to television in 2000 and has continued working in the industry.

Nalini prefers simple, home-cooked food and often carries meals prepared at home when she goes to work. She especially enjoys idlis and prefers having them for dinner.

Her childhood memories are also connected to some of Chennai’s old restaurants. She remembers enjoying falooda and chole batura at Impala Hotel when she was young. She also fondly remembers eating idlis with her siblings at an Udupi hotel near Kodambakkam High Road.

Today, Nalini continues to enjoy South Indian food. She likes having breakfast at Geetham, while New Andhra Meals is one of her choices when she wants non-vegetarian food. She particularly enjoys dishes such as Gongura Chicken.

Nassar Remembers Old Chennai

Veteran actor Nassar also has many food memories from his childhood in Chennai. He remembers enjoying Aavin flavoured milk when he was young. He would often travel to Parry’s Corner with his father, making those trips special childhood memories.

During his younger days, Nassar regularly visited Kuralagam in Parry’s Corner. He remembers having bottled pathaneer and ice cream cones there.

Nassar also remembers the Janata Sappadu scheme, which provided affordable meals to people during difficult times. For him, the scheme was not just about food but also about an important period in Chennai’s social history.

As Chennai has changed over the years, many old food places have disappeared or changed. Nassar says he misses places such as Woodlands Drive-in and the Burmese mohinga stalls that were once found near Beach Station.

His memories show how food can bring back images of a different Chennai, when the city was quieter and its food culture was very different from today.

Pasupathy Enjoys Farming and Traditional Food

Actor Pasupathy, who is known for his work in Tamil cinema, has taken a different approach to his lifestyle. In 2010, he moved to a farm with his family and developed an interest in farming.

Pasupathy enjoys spending time on the farm and preparing traditional food with his wife, Surya. Farming and cooking have become important parts of his life away from the busy film industry.

When he visits Chennai, Pasupathy has his own favourite places to eat. He enjoys Pumpkin Tales, where he likes herb-roasted chicken. He also enjoys Pattukottai Kamatchi Mess, particularly its karuvadu thokku.

Pasupathy has also noticed how much Chennai has changed. The city has become busier, and its food scene has expanded with restaurants offering food from many different parts of the country and world.

At the same time, he misses the quieter Chennai of his childhood. He remembers cycling to school when there was less traffic and the city had a slower pace of life.

Food and Memories

The stories of Nalini Nair, Nassar and Pasupathy show that food is closely connected with memories. A simple plate of idlis, a glass of flavoured milk, an ice cream cone or a traditional curry can remind people of their childhood and family.

Their favourite restaurants also reflect the changes in Chennai’s food culture. Some old eateries have disappeared, while new restaurants have become popular with younger generations.

For these actors, however, food remains a link to the past. Their memories of old restaurants, family meals and childhood outings show how food can preserve personal stories even as a city continues to change.

Their experiences also highlight the special relationship between Chennai, its food and its people. From simple home-cooked meals to traditional restaurants and old street-food stalls, every dish can carry a memory of a different time.