The Flip Side Of Shruti Haasan

From the time she walked in, we knew our choice was bang on! Unabated laughs peppered with humour were like a rainbow on a gloomy morning. Wait long enough for the smile to vanish and dark clouds begin to gather. Charming and intense, colourful yet passionate. We couldn’t wait for the camera to start rolling

From Luck to D-Day, you have constantly experimented with roles and have come out on tops. Which genre are you most comfortable doing?

I am actually comfortable doing any genre but what I love a lot is either intense drama or extreme comedy.

That’s two ends of the spectrum!

That it is. But isn’t that good for your cover story? (laughs).

After Gabbar is Back, tell us which of your co-stars are the most fun to be around on sets?

I can’t really choose like that. Although I must say that working with Akshay Kumar was amazing because he is one of the fittest, funniest co-stars one can have. Having said, I can’t really pick. Because there is a barrage of co-stars in south cinema as well and I don’t want anyone to feel bad. I love everyone equally.

Imran Khan, Arjun Rampal, Akshay Kumar… who is the most methodical actor? Wittiest in terms of sense of humour? Most intense actor?

Talking about being a methodical actor, I really can’t define as I am not a movie critic and I hope I never become one. Everyone gives it their cent per cent to every project. And the wittiest and most intense… I’m guessing you’re not going to answer those either? No! (chuckles)

What is your temperament like on shoots? Are you so much into your role that you forget to have fun?

It depends on the day, really. But I’m not one of those method actors who,on the day have to do an intense scene, will not talk to anyone just to get into that kind of a mood. But I am not myself completely either. I am more in the zone of what is required. But I always love a fun and energetic mood on the sets where everyone is driven to create something extraordinary. Therefore, I try and make it light and fun and positive. Roles do not overshadow my mood because then I wouldn’t be an actor, would I?

Which actor, who you have not worked with yet, but are really dying to work with?

So many! Actually all the ones that I have not worked with.

We get the picture. You liketo be politically correct. But any Hollywood actor you want to work with?

Ryan Gosling. I want him on and off the sets as soon as possible. (couldn’t stop grinning).

Ayesha from Luck, Suraiyya from D-Day, Shruti in Gabbar… Out of these… which character portrayal is closest to the real Shruti?

None actually. I have never played anything like myself on screen to date.But hopefully sometime soon. I really liked D Day’s Suraiya because portraying her was out of my comfort zone and enjoyed playing that part a lot.

What remains? How is Shruti Haasan going to transform as an actor in the next few years?

There’s so much that remains! Life influences you, the people you work with, content keeps changing… there is a lot of growth to be achieved. I am looking forward to it. There is more that I have not done than I have achieved.

Who are you closer to? Mum or dad?
This is a real terrible question because when someone asks, ‘Are you mummy’s pet or daddy’s pet?’ it’s really silly. Because I wouldn’t be here without either of them. Therefore, one cannot choose.

We differ, because over the years one does get closer to one parent than the other, doesn’t it?

I would say that, with my mum, there is so much to talk about. She is very independent so there’s so much to learn there. With my dad, he is really chilled out and a true and a complete artist. So I get different things from both.

How were growing up years? What do you remember?

I really loved going to school and I loved my friends that I made there. Some of them are still my best buddies. I went to an extremely interesting school as well. It’s called Abacus Montessori School and it’s in Chennai. It was a really hippie, fun school where cultural talent and sports were as valued as education. We were encouraged to become the best at what we loved.

Any fondest memory?

So many! It was great growing up in Chennai. It’s the perfect mix of being conservative and cultural. I grew up in a liberal environment in terms of my family and school. So it was such a nice balance to grow up there.

Did you ever accompany your dad or mum to movie sets when growing up?

A hell of a lot! Because my mum, whenever she was not acting, was always part of the movies by either doing costumes, or sound, etc. And my dad was always acting. So a lot of my childhood was on movie sets. For me, thinking of generator vans and doing homework in them brings back fond memories.

You’re obviously in awesome shape. Who do you train with and what is your exercise regime like?

I really like to watch what I eat because I can put on a ton of weight if I am allowed to eat what I want to. I do as much cardio as I can. There was a time when I was obsessed with working out and I thought to myself that my body should never need PhotoShop. I was completely on another trip but was not a happy person then. It’s important to work out because it keeps your core strong and your blood pumping. But more than that, no one should go nuts about how they look because there is nothing sexier than someone owning their body the way it is.

If we raided your fridge, what awaits us?

Lots of stuff! There is some South Indian sambhar puddings, along with the top shelf, which is usually loaded with gojiberries and other berries. It’s a mix of everything but it’s healthy for the most part.

What are your stress busters?

Watching television, the complete meaningless types like the Shopping Network kinds. It really relaxes me. (We can’t believe it!)

Ever do stress eating?                                 

Yes. And then it’s French fries and chocolate ice cream. And lots of sambhar.

Bike person or a car chic?

I am neither a car chick nor a bike person. And it doesn’t matter because I cannot drive either.

What’s your taste in music like Favourite tracks?

It’s eclectic. I only don’t listen to Mexican Rap. I have some issues with it (laughs). I find it displeasing.

Something to do with the language?

I like Spanish. It’s fine. It’s just displeasing on a frequency level. Other than that I can listen to pretty much anything.

Any favourite tracks?

I listen to Classical, Jazz, I love Metal. I am now getting into EDM, which I am starting to enjoy. I love Retro and Blues.

Let’s talk about men now. If given a chance to date one famous celeb, who would it be?

Jeez… I never thought of it! Is a musician okay?

Musician would be fine…

Then Brandon Boyd from Incubus.