Talking to Shruti Haasan comes as a refreshing change of scenery. She’s so sorted that you find yourself seeking life advice from her. There’s more to her than being a star kid or an actor. She’s a musician who relentlessly pursues her passion, come what may. She doesn’t carry her starry handups when she’s performing as a singer simply because she knows that the live audience is a cruel judge which won’t suffer fools. The actor in her wants both commercial and critical success and she’s wise enough to know that sometimes, one has to choose one over the other. Excerpts from a candid chat with the beautiful and talented actor:
In Salaar your character goes, “I need a drink” after hearing Deva’s (played by Prabhas) backstory. Was that your reaction to the story?
The film goes hard. But that’s what you expect from Prashanth Neel. It’s not usually a character I would choose. In terms of her personality, she’s waiting for a lot of things to happen. But I liked it because all of these things happen because she enters the story. I have always been a fan of Prashant Neel’s work and the worlds he creates and I was Interested in being a part of that. I was also interested in working with Prabhas as well.
What was it like immersing yourself in Prashanth Neel’s world?
It’s not just the kind of films he makes and how much power he truly commands power on the set. He’s got a leadership personality and he knows how to make all his team members love working with him. He gives us that feeling. That is his greatest achievement as a person and a director.
How was it working with Prabhas?
I was not in awe of him because Prabhas doesn’t make people feel in awe of him. His default setting is to put everyone at ease. Just like Prashanth’s default setting is to make you comfortable. He makes everyone feel welcomed and loved. So you never feel awe, you do feel overwhelmed by his goodness. I remember I was unwell in one of the schedules in 2022. I was hospitalised and there was a rule in the hospital that you eat only hospital food. He fought with them and said, “That’s it, she’s going to eat the food we make at home to heal her and make her better.” He sent every meal. I will never forget it. If you say something on set like, “Oh, I like this thing,” he will send it to you immediately. I remember he gifted something to my partner and I told him even my mom liked it. He immediately sent one to my mom. And he’s not like this only with his co-stars, he’s like this with everybody.
You got high praise from SS Rajamouli for your dancing skills…
I can only pray that if he ever makes a film about dance, then he casts me. I am in awe of Rajamouli sir, because I think he’s just one of the most creative and intelligent people in creating films and stories. He’s extremely intelligent. But a lot of people who are super intelligent run the risk of losing heart. That’s the balance we’re all trying to strike as people between our hearts and our minds. And I think Rajamouli is truly a genius because he’s vibrating at the perfect frequency of storytelling between heart and mind.
Your fans were disappointed by your short screen time in Salaar…
Salaar is Deva’s film. Every character is there intrinsically to help tell Deva’s story. None of us have any misconceptions about that. Neither should the audience. I knew that going in and I’m happy when people say we wanted more of you. I always take that as a good sign.
What can you tell us about Dacoit?
When I heard the story for the first time, I was like, “Yeah, let’s go!” The last time I felt like this about a character was probably 3 with Dhanush. When I spoke to director Shaneil Deo and I heard the role, I loved everything about it. I think Adivi Sesh is super creative. He’s so passionate about every aspect of filmmaking. I love our director. He brings such a strength to visualising the film. The producer of the film, Supriya, is a gem. It’s so amazing to see women you can resonate with. When I look at women like her leading a project like this, I feel like the sisterhood gets stronger.
Your discography is growing with songs like Monster Machine…
I’m also following it up with a summer single for which I collaborated with my father (Kamal Haasan). He’s not singing with me but he’s written the lyrics. I’m super excited about the other English singles I’m doing. I’m also going on tour with my band. We just did one gig at the North East Festival in Delhi, which was so well received. I play with the most talented and wonderful musicians who are also wonderful people.
What is your bond with your father Kamal Haasan like? Do you find yourself going to him for advice?
I go to him for life advice. My parents have had such interesting, powerful, tumultuous and beautiful lives individually and together. So they give me a lot of life advice which is useful. But like all other kids, it doesn’t make sense at the time. It makes sense later. In the film space, I find it difficult to apply my father’s advice because he’s a rare genius. My mother is fearless. People are like, “But why are you doing this? Just sit at home, don’t make money for a year and do the right thing as an artiste.” And I’m like, “Oh, I actually can’t do that.” I don’t have the courage to do that or the financial means to do that. Every time I do something like Monster Machine or the Dacoit teaser, my father makes it a point to call me and remind me this is the correct way. He’ll call me and he’ll say, “This is it, baby. You’re on it. Stick with this.”
How do you look back on your experience of working with your parents on Hey Ram?
My mother was the costume designer for Hey Ram for which she went on to win a National Award. My home life was always my parents making things together. My mom worked in sound and helped with production. She did all of the costumes. So what I take away from Hey Ram as a grown woman is - I always want to work with a partner. I always saw my parents talk about art at home, only going to work together while they were working on the same movie set. It was always my dream to be with a partner that I can collaborate with. And that’s what I took from my parents’ love story - they made things together, not just children.
How important is it to have friends in the industry?
I think it’s important to be friendly on a movie set. I’ve had friends who are still my friends from the time I was three and a half or four years old. Those are the friends that know me. Those are the friends who keep me in check. My best friends, Krishnan, Anusha, Neha. These are all kids that we grew up together in kindergarten. One is a pilot and a musician in the U. S., and other works in the finance and banking sector. The other one is a mom and works in dance therapy. They live different lives. They enrich my life, we talk about us. They don’t care about my movies. They just care that I’m doing well.
What would you say to Shruti Haasan of D-Day?
I’d tell her she made the right call because at that time everyone was like, “Why are you doing this role?” Nikkhil Advani convinced me. I kept saying no to him because I was scared to play a sex worker from Pakistan at that phase in my career. And I remember D-Day and Ramaiya Vastavaiya came out on the same day. It was hilarious because one was a virginal village girl and the other was a sex worker who died brutally. D-Day will always be a special film and a special role and I sincerely always thank Nikkhil Advani. I trusted him and it paid off.
What does your off-duty day in your life look like?
I’m on the couch with my cat Clara and Shantanu (Hazarika). That’s it. It’s pretty much that simple. We love eating, we love watching movies and we love loving our cat.
Professionally, this has been one of the best years on all counts. Personally, I feel Shantanu being an artiste is a great plus point. We really try to be supportive of each other creatively. Collaboration is a big part of why we met in the first place. I’m blessed. Doesn’t matter how much money, fame, success, all those things God gives you when you don’t have someone to share it with, it’s very sad. There was a time in my life when I was at the peak. I had all the success and fame. But I was extremely lonely. I loved someone dearly and it was heartbreaking. It was one of the toughest phases in my life, which took over everything else. As much as I’m a raging feminist, I believe in economic independence, I also understand the value of having a good partner and a good man in your corner who is kind and believes in you. Doesn’t matter how long it lasts or doesn’t, those are all not in our hands. I am happy when I have a balance between personal and professional.
In Salaar your character goes, “I need a drink” after hearing Deva’s (played by Prabhas) backstory. Was that your reaction to the story?
The film goes hard. But that’s what you expect from Prashanth Neel. It’s not usually a character I would choose. In terms of her personality, she’s waiting for a lot of things to happen. But I liked it because all of these things happen because she enters the story. I have always been a fan of Prashant Neel’s work and the worlds he creates and I was Interested in being a part of that. I was also interested in working with Prabhas as well.
What was it like immersing yourself in Prashanth Neel’s world?
It’s not just the kind of films he makes and how much power he truly commands power on the set. He’s got a leadership personality and he knows how to make all his team members love working with him. He gives us that feeling. That is his greatest achievement as a person and a director.
How was it working with Prabhas?
I was not in awe of him because Prabhas doesn’t make people feel in awe of him. His default setting is to put everyone at ease. Just like Prashanth’s default setting is to make you comfortable. He makes everyone feel welcomed and loved. So you never feel awe, you do feel overwhelmed by his goodness. I remember I was unwell in one of the schedules in 2022. I was hospitalised and there was a rule in the hospital that you eat only hospital food. He fought with them and said, “That’s it, she’s going to eat the food we make at home to heal her and make her better.” He sent every meal. I will never forget it. If you say something on set like, “Oh, I like this thing,” he will send it to you immediately. I remember he gifted something to my partner and I told him even my mom liked it. He immediately sent one to my mom. And he’s not like this only with his co-stars, he’s like this with everybody.
You got high praise from SS Rajamouli for your dancing skills…
I can only pray that if he ever makes a film about dance, then he casts me. I am in awe of Rajamouli sir, because I think he’s just one of the most creative and intelligent people in creating films and stories. He’s extremely intelligent. But a lot of people who are super intelligent run the risk of losing heart. That’s the balance we’re all trying to strike as people between our hearts and our minds. And I think Rajamouli is truly a genius because he’s vibrating at the perfect frequency of storytelling between heart and mind.
Your fans were disappointed by your short screen time in Salaar…
Salaar is Deva’s film. Every character is there intrinsically to help tell Deva’s story. None of us have any misconceptions about that. Neither should the audience. I knew that going in and I’m happy when people say we wanted more of you. I always take that as a good sign.
What can you tell us about Dacoit?
When I heard the story for the first time, I was like, “Yeah, let’s go!” The last time I felt like this about a character was probably 3 with Dhanush. When I spoke to director Shaneil Deo and I heard the role, I loved everything about it. I think Adivi Sesh is super creative. He’s so passionate about every aspect of filmmaking. I love our director. He brings such a strength to visualising the film. The producer of the film, Supriya, is a gem. It’s so amazing to see women you can resonate with. When I look at women like her leading a project like this, I feel like the sisterhood gets stronger.
Your discography is growing with songs like Monster Machine…
I’m also following it up with a summer single for which I collaborated with my father (Kamal Haasan). He’s not singing with me but he’s written the lyrics. I’m super excited about the other English singles I’m doing. I’m also going on tour with my band. We just did one gig at the North East Festival in Delhi, which was so well received. I play with the most talented and wonderful musicians who are also wonderful people.
What is your bond with your father Kamal Haasan like? Do you find yourself going to him for advice?
I go to him for life advice. My parents have had such interesting, powerful, tumultuous and beautiful lives individually and together. So they give me a lot of life advice which is useful. But like all other kids, it doesn’t make sense at the time. It makes sense later. In the film space, I find it difficult to apply my father’s advice because he’s a rare genius. My mother is fearless. People are like, “But why are you doing this? Just sit at home, don’t make money for a year and do the right thing as an artiste.” And I’m like, “Oh, I actually can’t do that.” I don’t have the courage to do that or the financial means to do that. Every time I do something like Monster Machine or the Dacoit teaser, my father makes it a point to call me and remind me this is the correct way. He’ll call me and he’ll say, “This is it, baby. You’re on it. Stick with this.”
How do you look back on your experience of working with your parents on Hey Ram?
My mother was the costume designer for Hey Ram for which she went on to win a National Award. My home life was always my parents making things together. My mom worked in sound and helped with production. She did all of the costumes. So what I take away from Hey Ram as a grown woman is - I always want to work with a partner. I always saw my parents talk about art at home, only going to work together while they were working on the same movie set. It was always my dream to be with a partner that I can collaborate with. And that’s what I took from my parents’ love story - they made things together, not just children.
How important is it to have friends in the industry?
I think it’s important to be friendly on a movie set. I’ve had friends who are still my friends from the time I was three and a half or four years old. Those are the friends that know me. Those are the friends who keep me in check. My best friends, Krishnan, Anusha, Neha. These are all kids that we grew up together in kindergarten. One is a pilot and a musician in the U. S., and other works in the finance and banking sector. The other one is a mom and works in dance therapy. They live different lives. They enrich my life, we talk about us. They don’t care about my movies. They just care that I’m doing well.
What would you say to Shruti Haasan of D-Day?
I’d tell her she made the right call because at that time everyone was like, “Why are you doing this role?” Nikkhil Advani convinced me. I kept saying no to him because I was scared to play a sex worker from Pakistan at that phase in my career. And I remember D-Day and Ramaiya Vastavaiya came out on the same day. It was hilarious because one was a virginal village girl and the other was a sex worker who died brutally. D-Day will always be a special film and a special role and I sincerely always thank Nikkhil Advani. I trusted him and it paid off.
What does your off-duty day in your life look like?
I’m on the couch with my cat Clara and Shantanu (Hazarika). That’s it. It’s pretty much that simple. We love eating, we love watching movies and we love loving our cat.
How much does being in a stable relationship enhance other areas of your life?
Professionally, this has been one of the best years on all counts. Personally, I feel Shantanu being an artiste is a great plus point. We really try to be supportive of each other creatively. Collaboration is a big part of why we met in the first place. I’m blessed. Doesn’t matter how much money, fame, success, all those things God gives you when you don’t have someone to share it with, it’s very sad. There was a time in my life when I was at the peak. I had all the success and fame. But I was extremely lonely. I loved someone dearly and it was heartbreaking. It was one of the toughest phases in my life, which took over everything else. As much as I’m a raging feminist, I believe in economic independence, I also understand the value of having a good partner and a good man in your corner who is kind and believes in you. Doesn’t matter how long it lasts or doesn’t, those are all not in our hands. I am happy when I have a balance between personal and professional.
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