Anshu Vyas demonstrating the Salabhasan
CHENNAI: Arun Loganathan, popularly known as ‘Arun the Mentalist’, is an international award-winning magician, a professional mentalist and an escape artist, born and brought up in Chennai. He is also a qualified law and management graduate and the first person in India to perform the suspended Straight Jacket Escape in 2007.
What makes you a Chennaiite?
The feeling of Tamil
What are your favourite spots in the city and why?
The Mylapore Sai Baba temple, T Nagar shopping area, Sathyam Cinemas for the entertainment they offer, the Tower Park for paani puri and bhel puri or basically any Biryani hotel!
If you had to take a non-Chennaiite to one spot in the city, which one would it be?
A beach by default. Either the Light House or Bessi.
What are the words you’d teach him/her?
Vanakkam, sapteengala, nandri, mersalayitten, and bada bejarakeethu.
Is there a personality from Chennai that you wish you could meet?
Superstar Rajinikanth!
Three things that are synonymous to the words ‘Namma
Chennai’?
CSK whistle podu, Kasimedu, and
AR Rahman.
Your favourite Tanglish words?
Kalachifying, peteru, and why gumbling gumbling.
What movie do you think truly represents
Chennai?
Marina (2012), Chennai 28 (2007), Kaaka Muttai (2014), and Madrasapatinam (2010).
Is there something about us Chennaiites that you wish you could change?
Traffic discipline should be followed.
Out of all the varieties of biryanis served in Chennai, which one do you prefer?
Hotel Sangam Chicken Biriyani at Mount Road. Actually all types of biryanis!
Lungi dance or the dapankuthu?
Dapankuthu absolutely.
Any part of the city you haven’t been to?
North Madras like Manali.
( As told to Gokul M Nair)