In Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivandha Vaanam, there is this lovely drone visual of the Kathipara flyover. The junction with multiple roads and loops has now become the prime associated visual for Chennai, especially in films, ahead of the earlier favourites like Central Station and the LIC building. Kathipara may be the current flavour but for many old-timers, if there is a favourite road landmark burnt into their memory, it has to be the Anna flyover, also referred to as the Gemini flyover. Built in 1973, Chennai’s maiden flyover, which turned 50 last year, has been refreshed with a new coat of paint, and an additional aesthetic touch has been granted to the pillars.
A highpoint in commute
For readers of a certain vintage, a bus ride over this flyover was a highpoint in their commute. It could well be a seat on 23C doing its Ayanavaram-Besant Nagar route. Moving through Anna Salai, Mount Road for those with their 1980 sensibilities, the bus went past a list of theatres, now no longer around — Shanthi, Wellington, Alankar, Anand and Safire. Thankfully, a few other movie halls like the Devi Complex and Anna are still around.
