I genuinely love and enjoy my own company, says actress Shruti Haasan
Friendship is the strong tie that bolsters many a woman through the trials of life. Shruti Haasan talks about her film Yaara, which revolves around this topic, and how it mirrors her own life experiences
Actress Shruti Haasan will soon be seen in her next film Yaara — it’s about a gang of four friends who work together across the Nepal–India border — produced and directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. Our interaction starts with Shruti sharing her excitement about the film, especially because of what friendship means to her. “Unlike a family which you are destined to be a part of, friends are people you can consciously choose throughout your lifetime,” says Shruti. “And I would like to think that I have been very blessed in this department, with each of the multiple friends I have; and my friendships have defined me.” Elaborating on her role in the film, Shruti tells us, “My character in the film is called Sukanya and she is an integral part of the story. She is progressive, opinionated and vulnerable, which made the character all the more exciting for me to play,” she explains. Shruti then talks about the many layers to Yaara itself. “There is a bond of friendship layered in trust, betrayal, etc., and a certain association with the world during the ’70s, which director Tigmanshu Dhuliya captures with an emotional intensity,” she tells us. “While I think Tigmanshu has done a phenomenally good job with each of his films, I really loved the kind of milieu and mood he has created in this one. He is a very comprehensive and wonderful artiste himself, being a writer and director for the film.”
WHERE THE REAL AND THE REEL BLEND
For Shruti, the pull off the film was also probably because of not only the similarities between the character she played and herself, but also the differences between them. “I am a progressive woman who is socially inclined; I care about the society we live in and would like to contribute to it as a citizen, just as my character Sukanya does in the film. But unlike Sukanya, who is keen on bringing change politically, I am not politically inclined at all,” Shruti shares. So, in what ways does Shruti hope to contribute to society? “I think artistes almost always leave behind a little of their legacy in everything they do. And I really enjoy that about being an actor. The more authentic I am, the more easily my audiences can connect with my emotions,” explains Shruti.