Marriage, a social conditioning
I am not saying every film has to be like that. If it’s a macho man’s story it makes sense for a man to tell it, but conversation is important around the different kinds of women. We box them as female subjects. I have never heard of a male-oriented script. These conversations need to be started.”
With over 22 million followers on Instagram, Shruti says gleefully that she does not fit the profile of a typical female heroine.
“I have had people telling me, ‘You look like a witch’, and I’m okay with that because, don’t witches represent something”? she says with a laugh. “These are the same people who think a nearly nude male actor looks cute whilst a female will be labeled a S**T”. It’s a mindset which will change in time,” she adds.
MANY TIMES ACTORS AND THEIR TEAMS CALL THE PAPS AND INFORM THEM WHERE THEY ARE GOING. THEN THEY SAY THEY DON’T WANT THEM TO TAKE PICTURES! 98 PERCENT OF THE TIME I HAVE INVITED THEM TO COVER AN EVENT OR MAYBE SHOW AN OUTFIT THAT I WANT COVERED, THAT’S ABOUT IT. IT’S TRICKY — IF YOU DANCE WITH THE DEVIL, THEN THE DEVIL WILL WANT TO DANCE WITH YOU TOO”
ON SHANTANU AND MARRIAGE
The 37-year-old actor has been in a relationship with artist and rapper Shantanu Hazarika since 2020. She admits that her partner has not seen most of her movies. “He respects my industry but does not care for it beyond a point. His only concern is how I work as an artist, he really pulls me up and keeps me grounded,” she shares.
Shruti admits to being constantly asked about marriage plans like any other woman. “It’s the social conditioning, they think at a certain age you should be married and with kids. Earlier I used to say I don’t want to get married. Now I am open to the concept, but don’t know when I am doing it. It’s not part of my main timeline and after all it’s something you share with one individual and not the world.” she asserts.
‘DANCING WITH THE DEVIL’
No stranger to life under the spotlight, having experienced it since she was a child, the actor is well aware of the constant media scrutiny which comes with being a celebrity – in her case the Haasan’ surname adds to the weight. Commenting on recent incidents when stars have called the paparazzi out for invading their private space, Shruti says, “Invasion of privacy is
wrong but as a celebrity this is the life you chose. Being photographed in your home is not okay. But it’s also very tricky, because many times actors and their teams call the paps and inform them where they are going. Then they say they don’t want them to take pictures.” She adds, “The paps don’t know where I work out or what I do. 98 percent of the time I have invited them to cover an event or maybe show an outfit that I want covered, that’s about it. It’s tricky — if you dance with the devil, then the devil will want to dance with you too.”
So if she was to pen a book on her life, what would she consider an appropriate title? “Angry
Women Do
It Best”, she says with a loud laugh.