Shruti Haasan speaks to reporters at The Hindu on Saturday | Photo Credit: Dinesh Krishnan/The Hindu
In the vibrant field of entertainment, where talent and perseverance meet the same fate, singer, composer and actress Shruti Haasan exemplifies artistic versatility and social consciousness. From wowing audiences with her soulful tunes to making her mark on the silver screen, her journey reflects her dual focus on personal growth and professional achievement.
On a Saturday afternoon, full of excitement, Shruti goes to the office. Hindu In Chennai, there was a gaggle of reporters waiting for the shoot, so there was excitement: questions first, selfies later.
As she enters the brightly lit hall, she wastes little time talking up her latest song album Enamell It is produced under the banner of Raaj Kamal Films, which she has both composed and conceptualised. The lyrics are written by her father, actor Kamal Haasan, and the album also features Lokesh Kanagaraj. Shruti says this is her latest original composition. Unnaipol Oruvan in 2009, and she was excited to collaborate with Raaj Kamal Films. She says, “It was an exciting and creatively challenging moment to be with my father.”
The actress-singer, who was a musician at heart before venturing into cinema, spoke about how she represents everything in her life through music. “I had no intention of joining cinema, but cinema has always been around me and I am a fan of cinema. It’s two different parallel things that go on. And it’s two different parts of my brain that I use in two different parts of my artistic soul. So it’s very different.”
Beyond her passion for music, Shruti discusses her diverse roles in both independent and commercial films. “For me, it’s about creating a balance,” she comments thoughtfully. “I’ve never had a problem being a part of big-ticket films, because who wouldn’t want to be a part of a film or a story that works? There are films where you’re there for three hours and it doesn’t work, and there are films where you’re there for ten minutes and it works for you, so it’s really a balancing act. For me, a perfect balance is actually doing a commercial film in which I have value.”
From Bollywood to Hollywood
When asked about her first Hollywood film, a thriller directed by Daphne Schmon, EyeShruti shared her experience of working in different film industries, which she is used to. “I got my biggest success from the Telugu industry, and I always say that. It was a language I didn’t speak. Today, of course, I do. So my mindset was the same when I started an English film.”
His entourage Eye This was especially empowering as the film marked many firsts, such as it being an independent English film and the first time she worked with a female-led team; producers, writers, and director.
When the conversation turns to her experiences at prestigious events like the Cannes Film Festival, where she has been twice in 2017 and 2023, Shruti expresses a mix of admiration and concern. “It is a lot of pressure. And what I found most disappointing at Cannes this time was that it was too much about clothes and shoes, and not many people watched the films. I think we should not forget that this is a film festival, where art is celebrated.”
raising voice on social issues
Beyond the glamour and accolades, Shruti recalls how she uses different platforms to raise issues close to her heart. “I am not very politically involved, but there are certain things in the society around me that I care about, like menstrual health, mental health and women’s rights, be it any platform.”
Shruti Haasan speaks to reporters at The Hindu on Saturday | Photo Credit: Dinesh Krishnan/The Hindu
She also emphasises how important it is to have a conversation about gender equality in the Indian film industry. “We are working towards bridging the gap; I think it is a huge gap.” She adds, “The day we stop using words like ‘women-centric’, then we will have won something.”
Navigating social media
Responding to a question from the audience on how she copes with negativity online, in this age of digital interaction, Shruti says that social media gives her the opportunity to speak her mind in the most authentic way.
Looking ahead, Shruti explains how she wants to turn to storytelling, whether it is through music, videos, poetry or lyrics, to explore what is untapped, what is part of the female psyche, relationships and all the contradictions we choose to avoid. “I see myself as a storyteller,” she says, hinting at aspirations beyond acting and music.
