I’m not a feminist, saysShruti Haasan
Shruti Haasan wears the clichés nonchalantly, nay, proudly on her sleeve. For this actress, there’s hardly much to differentiate the rule from the exception. She was born in the lap of cinema – to Kamal Haasan, a powerhouse performer and arguably misunderstood genius, ahead of his time; and Sarika Thakur, anepitome of grace and charisma. It was only a matter of time before the starlet with stars in her eyes stood before a camera and watched her dreams turn into reality.
Her surname might precede her identity, and even demand a standard of excellence from her, but Shruti continues to hold her own, silencing her critics by delivering noteworthy roles, film after film. Mumbai is where she lives currently, but her heart, she maintains, will always be down south, in her hometown, making her the quintessential Chennai ponnu.
The women characters that Shruti has portrayed on screen are varied. From a gypsy and sorceress in her Telugu debut, Anaganaga O Dheerudu, and a loving wife scrambling to save her husband from the throes of mental illness in 3, to a Pakistani prostitute in D Day, and more recently, a sari-clad teacher in love with a student in the Telugu film Premam, she essays each role with an easy manner of conviction, and talent that seems effortlessly natural.For this International Women’s Day, we chatted with the actor about the women who have shaped her understanding, and play an impactful role in her life, and work.
What challenges did you face in rising to the top of the film industry?
First of all, there is no ‘top’. That is the truth. Taking things a step at a time is important, be it in any profession. For me, it is the unshakeable will to achieve something – to have a goal, and not give a cr*p beyond a point of what anybody says. That works the best.
Have you ever faced discrimination?
Discrimination is when people say things like, ‘She’s an actress, and must not be very smart’. Or, ‘She only cares about her next shade of lipstick’. Unfortunately, the truth is that we live in a misogynistic society. This is not about our society alone – there’s a shining example in Donald Trump. It is a global issue, to speak in a certain way about women in a male-dominated society.
I have always believed that the beauty of a woman comes out not just in the aggression or the frustration of being a woman. I genuinely believe we are superior, that it is about true feminine grace. It is not about being a man in a man’s world – it is about being one’s self in the world. The power of a woman is in her femininity and her ability to multitask, and a kind of resilience which only women have. This is something I live by, and I find it easy to be the best woman I can be, versus being a man in a man’s world.
Tell us a little about the women and their influence in your life?
My mother Sarika, and my sister Akshara, are closest to me. I’m workin
g with Akshara and my father on Sabaash Naidu, and it is an experience I hold close to my heart. I have never met my grandmother, but the way our family talks about her strength is inspiring. Another big influence in my life is my aunt Nalini. She’s a talented dancer, intelligent, strong, open-minded and a wonderful balancing factor for our family.
My mother is extremely independent. She is untouched by what is expected of her – as an actor, or as a wife – she has always been true to her own calling, which is something I admire. My father too is one of my greatest inspirations. I think he is the most successful mamma’s boy. I love that he is supportive of women. His approach is, ‘Society at large is not in the best of conditions, so let’s be wise about it.’
How easy or difficult, would you say, it is for women in cinema?
This is a topic that is often debated — I have catered (to), and been a part of so-called stereotypes, and I have also played some amazing women on-screen. Over all, my art allows me to explore various forms of expression through stories, and that’s my focus. It is a male-dominated industry, and country, and there are certain things that come along with that.
Is there a manner in which you approach scenes of physical or emotional abuse?
There’s a scene in Si3, where I get beaten up by the villain. It was definitely a tough scene to shoot. We never used a body double, so all that dragging by the hair, the slaps… it was all me. My approach was to simply follow the director’s vision. I trusted Hari completely, and if that scene had some kind of an impact, all credit goes to him.
Emotionally, yes, it is tough, because these are things that happen to women in the real world. You open the newspaper and you see all this happening, and you are upset and angered. But that is the truth of it. You have to overcome...
What does being a feminist mean for you?
I’ve always felt awkwardly about this
question. I’m not a feminist, and I say that because some women have changed the meaning and approach to that idea. I don’t completely agree with all of their processes, but I must say, I admire the feminists of the past for paving the way for this generation of women. I’m thankful for their thought, their fight and their sacrifices. I’m proud of being a woman, and I will stand up for myself and others. But for me, it’s more about being an egalitarian.
In this day and age, there is an awful lot of ignorance, rage and hate — targeted at all sections of society — based on gender, sexuality, colour, race, or other parameters. That’s why I believe everyone with the right intention needs to stick together and stand up, not just for our fellow women.
Given the spate of stories of abuse we find every day, what do you have to say for the safety of women in the country?
These are very dire circumstances, and I don’t think any woman is safe. As we see in the news, it doesn’t matter if you are an actor, or a girl taking a train – it is never a safe situation. The solution is not to wear a box and walk around in a cage, that is clearly not a resolution. I think it begins with women who are privileged – I consider myself privileged, because of God’s blessings, and my job and the kind of popularity I have – if we can in some way empower and create scenarios where we can further the cause.
A societal change needs to happen. It all begins with how mothers raise their sons. That is something we have to work on, a generation at a time.
How do you relate to different portrayals of women on-screen?
I’m not just one kind of woman. Like all women, I have my moods and personality shifts, and therefore, at different times, I relate to different qualities of characters and portrayals.
What about issues to do with body image?
All women face issues to do with body image every day. It is never about what we want on the inside, but about a layer that is added by someone else. Being an actress, I face it on a daily basis. It is my face and my body that sells on screens – ‘Brand Shruti’. It is not easy. There are days when you feel fat and no pair of jeans will fit. Or you feel unworthy,
because you are constantly judged.
There is a reason why you are a certain way – the way you look, the colour of your skin, your eyes or your hair. If
you were to deny those parts of you, or compare it on a superficial level – the more you reject yourself, the more contempt you are creating within yourself. That is why negative body image is really born. It has to start with accepting and loving yourself just the way you are, every morning. That realisation changed my life completely.
What about that voice in your head about things you can’t or shouldn’t do… how do you overcome that?
This is not just about women. All of us have constant doubts and anxieties every day. This is a human condition. The point is that along with all of the doubt, all of us are constructed to have a survival skill, and somewhere, it will constantly drive you. That is the thing you need to listen to first. Follow through with that instinct.
A lot of the times, the instinct is the toughest choice. A lot of the time, the instinct will be a choice that will not align with your choices in your day-to-day life, or the choices you present. That is the voice I listen to. It has not always been convenient. Sometimes, it is drowned out by a lot of things, but eventually it comes up, because it is there in all of us. That is the voice that matters the most.