‘We’re artists, and we love the life we lead’
HOW DIFFERENT IS LIFE IN CHENNAI AND MUMBAI FOR YOU?
I haven’t lived in Chennai for many years. I go there on work and to visit my father mostly. I have beautiful memories of growing up there, for which I am very thankful. But Mumbai has been my home for ten years now.
SHARE SOME MEMORIES OF YOUR VISITS TO CHENNAI
It’s the same feeling everyone has when they go home. Basically, I go to spend time with my father, so there is a deep connection to my family and my roots. I love south Indian food. When I’m in Hyderabad I enjoy the food of that city. The food in these places is definitely better than anywhere else in the world.
WHO DO YOU HANG OUT WITH FROM THE INDUSTRY?
Most of my closest friends are from outside the industry. From the industry, my friends are mostly technicians, creative, directors, writers and photographers.
TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR BOYFRIEND SANTANU HAZARIKA
He is not just a doodle artist, he is a fine artist! He had an exhibition recently. It was extremely popular and widely appreciated. I am a fan of his work. I am very proud of his achievements as an artist.
HAVE YOU WATCHED ANY OF YOUR FILMS TOGETHER? WHAT WAS HIS REACTION TO YOUR FILMS?
I think we have watched a couple of my films together, but honestly, I have never made him sit down and watch them.
DO YOU GUYS SHARE AND APPRECIATE EACH OTHER'S WORK?
We do share our work life with each other at times.
YOU TOO COME FROM A CREATIVE FAMILY. WHAT ADVICE OR SUGGESTIONS DO YOU GIVE EACH OTHER?
I am not a trained artist, or a painter, or a designer. So I can’t really advise him. We are just supportive of each other.
DOES HE MAKE SUGGESTIONS ON YOUR FILMS?
Not really. We just do our work.
YOU ARE OPEN ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIPS. BEING A CELEBRITY
TODAY IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM EARLIER TIMES, WHEN ACTORS WOULD HIDE THEIR RELATIONSHIPS. HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THIS CHANGE?
The present time is very different from when I started acting. In the past, I did not talk about who I was dating. I have
now reached a point where I’m open about my relationships, without sharing too many personal details. We are all artists and love the life we lead; and thanks to social media, people know about our lives. Not just mine, everybody’s lives. Some people don’t like to talk about their relationships and I totally respect that. It’s totally up to the person.
SISTERS SHARE A STRONG BOND. WHAT DOES IT FEEL TO UNWIND WITH YOUR SISTER? HOW DIFFERENT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU TODAY, COMPARED TO YOUR CHILDHOOD?
Our relationship is still pretty much the same. We like doing the same things together that we did earlier. But the activity we enjoy the most is cooking together.
WHAT DISHES DO YOU BOTH LIKE TO COOK?
I like to cook pastas and South Indian food. She is a very good baker. When we meet up, we bake together. She is also an expert at making jam etc., so she teaches me all of those.
SO, NO SIBLING RIVALRY BETWEEN YOU?
I can’t even imagine having sibling rivalry. No, I don't want to give any advice, because I’m not in that situation. All I can say is, I’m really thankful for my bond with my sister.
THE PRESENT TIME IS DIFFERENT FROM WHEN I STARTED ACTING. IN THE PAST, I DID NOT TALK ABOUT WHO I WAS DATING. I HAVE NOW REACHED A POINT WHERE I’M OPEN ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIPS, WITHOUT SHARING TOO MANY PERSONAL
DETAILS. WE ARE ALL ARTISTS AND LOVE THE LIFE WE LEAD; AND THANKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA, PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT OUR LIVES
— SHRUTI HAASAN