From the desert sands of Dubai to the streets of Bhopal and the crammed studios of Mumbai in less than five days. Shruti Haasan is covering more air miles than she ever dreamt of. Straddling these three worlds with a bouquet of films and a catch-me-if-you-can itinerary, the actor-singer seems to have suddenly silenced her naysayers. Race Gurram in Telugu galloped its way to success and now Poojai in Tamil is running to packed houses. Starting early next year, it will rain releases in Hindi.
“People often ask me how I manage to survive three film worlds. Because of my multi-cultural upbringing, I can cross over effortlessly from one industry to the other. I want to be known as a pan-Indian actor and connect with people wherever I go. I cannot split the film industries into Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. To me the film world is like a buffet with a multi-cuisine spread. I can pick what I want, have my fill, and leave satisfied,” smiles Shruti, who has four films in Hindi and a blockbuster each in Tamil and Telugu.
Shruti will soon be seen romancing John Abraham in Anees Bazmee’s Welcome Back, the sequel to the successful 2007 comedy. Gabbar , an action drama with Akshay Kumar is a remake of the Tamil hit Ramanaa , jointly produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures. Rocky Handsome , again with John Abraham, is an action-thriller directed by Nishikant Kamat and loosely based on the 2010 Korean hit The Man from Nowhere . In Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Yaara , the official remake of the French Les Lyonnais , she will share screen space with Irrfan Khan and Vidyut Jamwal. Then there’s the untitled Koratala Siva project with Mahesh Babu in Telugu and a Chimbudevan film with actor Vijay in Tamil.
“It involves an insane amount of travel. But every role is unique — from hardcore action to light-hearted romance. This is how I wanted life to be — busy. Right now, ‘me’ time seems like the biggest indulgence.”
On a pragmatic note, she admits she is not for classifying films into commercial and non-commercial. “All that matters to me is that a film should do well at the box-office and leave a lasting impression. I also have no issues with acting in male-centric films. It’s a reflection of our society. It’s bound to change, but will take time,” she says.
Shruti had a rather disastrous start in Bollywood with Luck, and says it wasn’t easy despite being the daughter of veteran actor Kamal Haasan. “Yes, it did open doors, but I’ve had to audition for films and go through the grind that other aspiring actors go through. Ultimately, the journey depends on the choices you make and the hard work you are capable of.”
The singer-actor has an impressive discography, and says she is keen on keeping her music passion alive. “Whenever music directors ask me to sing for them, I make it a point to do so by adjusting my schedule.” But after dad’s Unnaipol Oruvan in 2009, she misses composing music. “That’s a side of me that’s lying dormant for a while now. But I continue to write lyrics and have a whole stock to take up for composing some day. It’s my dream to sing before a live audience.”
Shruti is not just an actor, she is also controversy’s favourite child. She gets candid when the topic veers to intimacy on screen and dalliances with co-stars. “When I entered films, I was prepared for rumours and public scrutiny. I learnt to detach myself from gossip. True friends are a rare commodity, and my friends are mostly behind-the-scenes people from the cine world or folks from outside the circuit. As long as I’m sure about my equation with my co-stars, what’s written about doesn’t really matter. I have no problem doing intimate scenes if the role demands them. It’s not offensive to be young and sexy. What’s important is that filmmakers should steer clear of vulgarity while projecting women onscreen. As an actor, I do have a responsibility and know where to draw the line.”
SECRETLY SHRUTI
l Shruti will lend her voice for a song in director Balki’s Shamithab, where sister Akshara Haasan makes her debut. After Cheeni Kum and Paa , this will be the third time Balki teams up with legendary composer Ilaiyaraja. “Akshara is a smart girl. This is going to an amazing debut, I’m so proud of her.”
l She would love to play a singer or musician onscreen
l She’s a strict vegetarian and petrified of insects and snakes
l She loves Los Angeles, the party place where she hangs out with friends
