I don’t believe in leading a secretive life, says Shruti

The next-gen stars such as Shraddha Kapoor and Alia Bhatt often take up two to three projects in a year. However, Shruti Haasan, who has also taken up more than one project in the past, feels that juggling two movies is not her cup of tea. “Two years ago, I took up two films at the same time. I didn’t think it was a sensible decision. You are not able to give the characters the kind of attention they deserve,” says the actor.

When it comes to her criteria for choosing a film, Shruti says she doesn’t have any rules as such. However, she is quick to add that she would “never take up a film that does not have an underlying message or is bad for the society in general”. “I would feel ashamed to propagate something like that. I wouldn’t be part of a movie that I am embarrassed to tell my kids about. However, film-makers and actors are always trying to tell a story that has to be carried forward in a certain way and at a certain time. So, you can’t be too moralistic about it either,” she says.

Celebrities are often looked upon as role models. Ask Shruti if this belief puts pressure on an actor to choose a morally correct character, and she says, “I have never said that I am a role model. We all have real lives and lead our personal lives. I don’t believe in leading a secretive life. I am transparent; I know what I want, like and dislike. Sometimes, it has got me into trouble, and at times, it has been appreciated.”

Shruti further adds that actors can act as role models only if they propagate the idea of being the same as the common man. “We need to tell people that we all make mistakes, learn from failures, and bounce back,” she says.

I wouldn’t be part of a movie that I am embarrassed to tell my kids about. SHRUTI HAASAN, ACTOR