“I was born and raised in North Chennai, where life teaches you street-smartness before school does. Growing up here, I watched people find joy even in chaos, and that is where I found my own empathy and energy. For me, Chennai is not just a city; it is an emotion that sounds like Ilaiyaraaja’s music, smells like early morning filter coffee, and feels like that first drizzle that turns everyone into a poet.

A cycle ride on Marina Beach, a midnight tea at Parry’s Corner, everything here has rhythm, everything has a story. This city made me who I am.

I lived in two worlds that Chennai breathes: food and media. By profession, I work in IT with Accenture. But beyond the screen, my heart belongs to the streets, to faces and flavours. Photography became my bridge to people. From portraits and weddings to sizzling food shots and raw moments, my camera helped me tell the stories Chennai whispers every day.

Life took a turn when I, a hardcore non-vegetarian, started DoAsai 2.0, a pure vegetarian dosa venture with over 100 varieties. What began as one small idea turned into multiple franchises, even drawing interest from abroad. Competing with giants, we found our own identity, one crispy dosa at a time.

Then came Covid. Like many dreamers, I had to make the difficult decision to shut it down. It hurt, but it taught me something precious. Dreams do not die; they simply change shape. I learnt resilience, patience and the courage to start again.

Through every twist, my family has been my anchor. My wife, my pillar of strength, my three children, my daily purpose, and my parents, and last but not least my brother like friend Raju who never once said “Stop,” only “Go ahead, try.” For me, it was never only about business. It was about people, conversations and adding warmth to every plate and every frame.

Chennai taught me one thing. Life will not always give perfect conditions, but it will always give you the will to rise. Like Rajinikanth says, En vazhi, thani vazhi. The day I stopped comparing and started building my own path, life began to feel lighter, happier and more meaningful.

This is my city.
This is my story.
Idhu namma ooru, namma style.”