Right now, neither of us want to work with each other’

Shruti Hassan talks about dad Kamal, her parents’ separation, love, films, music and more in an exclusive chat with Lipika Varma

Shruti Hassan is hoping to create a traffic jam at the booking windows with her latest movie ‘Ramaiya Vastavaiya’. The movie is directed by Prabhudeva. “I play an innocent village lass,” she says. “The role is very challenging for me, but I enjoyed shooting in the fields on the outskirts of the city. The love story revolves around my character. My character falls in love with a boy who studies abroad and then travels back to the village. This boy is named Ram, and he has imbibed the Western culture. He comes from a completely different world and culture, but after he falls in love with this village girl, he readily treads in her path. The tale is intriguing because the boy follows the girl and changes for her.”

About working in Bollywood and juggling the film industries of two different languages, she says, “For me, speaking Punjabi was not difficult. Language is no barrier for me, I always choose a script depending on the depth of the character. Who would not want to be part of a Prabhudeva film? He knows the pulse of the audience. He is a successful entertaining commercial director. Also, I saw a lot of potential in the fact that I was the only heroine in the film. It’s my first solo film. I should be comfortable playing the character, may the film be Tamil, Telugu, Hindi or any other language.”

Talking about her bold character in ‘D-day’ she says, “I play a Pakistani sex worker in the film. It was a challenging character. I did not literally have to go to brothels to learn their mannerisms. I was brought up in Mahillapur amongst middle class and higher middle-class. I feel sex workers are just doing their jobs and earning their bread and butter. I chose to play this character because of its emotional aspect. Being a sex worker, she has the vulnerability to fall in love. The tale is about the  emotional journey of the character.”

She goes on to add, “I have really shed my inhibitions after playing a sex worker!”

Coming from an industry family, Shruti knows how to take hits and flops in her stride. “Every actor would love to see every movie become a hit. As for me, I do not let a hit go to my head, or a take a flop to heart. For me, it matters more whether people appreciate my performance. If someone remembers and appreciates my roles 10 years later, it will boost my morale. Then it won’t matter to me whether that film was a hit or flop.”

Shruti is a philosophical girl and that is the approach she has had to her parents’ separation. “When I was 10, I came to the conclusion that if two people cannot live peacefully under one roof, it is better they separate. I feel if there is no understanding in a relationship it is better to lead your own life,” she says.

She is all praise for both her father and mother. “My mom has been a strong woman. She has always followed her heart and done what she felt was right,” she says. “She has taught both the daughters the importance of following your heart and leading a life on your own terms. Mom is a multitasker. She has tried her hand at sound and costume designing, besides acting. Dad is determined in his own way. He has a passion for pushing the envelope to enhance his professional know-how. He is always aware of the equipment he needs to choose to raise the level of his films. He is a hard working person. Me and Akshara have both learnt confidence and determination from them. We both have the equal excess to meet them so we do not miss them at all.”

Shruti recently broke up with her boyfriend of many years, south Indian actor Siddharth. In Bollywood, Siddharth is best remembered for his role in “Rang De Basanti’.

“‘Pyaar toh kabhibhi ho jata hai’,” she says. “It breaks out heart, we cry and ‘sab theekh ho jata hai’. Who on earth has not experienced heartbreak? At the moment, I am not keen on getting married. Someone will literally have to push me to tie the knot. Maybe at a later stage. I trying to make it in my profession now,” she says, adding, “I have learnt my lessons after being bitten in love. I have learnt to love myself better. If you have no understanding it is better to part ways. Pampering yourself and loving yourself is more important than just sitting and crying over spilt milk.”

Talking about beauty, she says, “I believe it is in the eyes of the beholder. For instance, someone may think I look better when I have just washed my face, while I would be conscious of being a plain Jane.”

Singing is another talent she continues to explore. “I can get back to singing later as it does not have age restrictions,” she says. “For example, I cannot play the characters I am playing now when I am 40. Nor can I play a 16-year-old girl at 30. But I can sing for a 16-year-old even when I am older. I enjoyed singing and performing ‘Kanha alagh’ that plays as the film title rolls. It is a very nice song. I also enjoy composing and writing songs. I am not a romantic person, so my lyrics are quite dark. I also love to be an independent musician which does not hold a future for me yet. However, I am happy to have done a few things musically.”

We mostly associate Shruti with her rock performances, but she is trained in other schools of music as well. “I have grown up listening to jazz, and other Western styles. But I am trained in Hindustani classical music. For me, music is food. The more I ingest it, the hungrier it leaves me for more. I look forward to attempting to carve a career in it later in life. Actors have a shelf-life, so I am concentrating on that for now.” She has also inherited a love for HIndi film music from her parents. “I have grown up listening to Asha Bhosle, thanks to my mom. I also like to listen to Kishore Kumar and R.D Burman. ‘Waqt ne kiya, kya’ is my favourite song on my iPod,”

she says.

Shruti has leant a lot from her short journey in the film industry, “People here change their attitude to you based on your success and flops. When you are successful, offers flow in, but once you are a flop no one calls you. Such is the scenario with us actors. I am here for a longer period of time. I have not come into the industry to work for five years, make money and settle down. ‘Main lamb race ki ghodi hoon’.  I have learnt to take my work seriously and I’m committed to it,” she says.

With her family in the industry, its a surprise she hasn’t worked with father Kamal Hassan yet. “I have worked hard for so many years because I want to make my own identity,” she says. “We may work together at a later stage. At the moment, neither of us wants to work together.”

Besides her father, Shruti is open to work with any director. “I am open to work with new directors as well,” she says. “I do not wish to work with famous directors only. My only condition is that he or she should be able to bring out my hidden talent. In return, I will give my 100%”

After ‘Ramaiya Vastavaiya’ and ‘D-Day’, Shruti has four Telegu films in hand — Balupu, Yevadu, Ramaya Thayavva  and Race Guru.