As for me, my foundations were laid in the south. We did the post-production of 'Hum Paanch' in Chennai, with many technicians from here working for us.
Way back before 1980, prior to 'Disco Dancer' breaking into the collective consciousness of filmgoers, I had come to Chennai to compose for a film called 'Suraksha.'
I was born and brought up in Chennai, as the entire Telugu film industry was based there.
I feel more at home in Chennai and Hyderabad than in Mumbai since I spend so much time in these two cities.
Work and friends keep bringing me back to Chennai.
Even in a conservative society like Chennai, youngsters don't feel bound by conventions anymore.
When people think I've lost it, I'll make 'Chennaiyil' and show them I've still got it.
I never thought of playing for any other franchise other than CSK. Chennai is my second home. Fans here have adopted me as one of their own.
I think Chennaiites are the best because the city has a receptive audience.
After watching my Kannada film 'U Turn,' director Kannan narrated the story of 'Ivan Thanthiran,' and wanted me to attend the auditions in Chennai. He selected me after seeing me perform to two difficult scenes I was given during the screen test.
The increasing crimes in Chennai have become a cause for concern. Chain snatching has become a routine affair.
Whenever I am shooting in Chennai, I spend most of my time with my wife and kids. Sometimes, I take my kids to the shooting spot, and they just love it.
In real life, I am a very sensitive person as l lived alone in Chennai for 15 years without my family. I always remember that phase of my life.
Since retirement, I have been given the opportunity to spend time with my family. I have three children, aged 16, 14 and one. That is what is really important to me. I have also done a little commentating in Australia and am part of the MRF academy in Chennai.
I had an ethnic preference, if you will, for the warm weather, coming from Chennai. So I finally said, 'Look, can I move to California?' because every time I come here, it would be in the 70s or 80s, and there would be beautiful blue sky and warm.
If I feel like too much of a star, I can head to Chennai and be a regular guy.
My kitty is full of films and I have been shuttling between Chennai and Hyderabad.
I'm a huge fan of Chennai - the culture, the musicians, the audience... Language is not a barrier. It is all about the emotion in the music.
I knew that all South Indian language films were first made in Chennai and that Tamil Nadu is one of the biggest film-producing centres in the country. I wanted to be part of films here.
I live in Mumbai with my mom and sister. And, of course, I always consider Chennai as home.
My journey to Sridevi started when I was preparing for my debut film 'Shiva.' I used to walk from Nagarjuna's office in Chennai to a neighbouring street where Sridevi used to live, and I used to just stand and watch Sridevi's house from outside her gate.
Chennai has always been special to me. I love the food here and people are so warm.
Many suggested I should move to Hyderabad. But I prefer remaining in Chennai and travelling to and fro.
You get people coming up to you and asking about movies, especially in Chennai, which is nice.
I've done all my schooling at Chennai - it's always home for me. All my growing up years have been spent here, and I have really fond memories associated with the city.
