Don’t like to play same characters: Shruti Haasan

Hyderabad: Ahead of Srimanthudu’s release, Shruti Haasan is excited about her character Charuseela opposite Mahesh Babu. “I am playing a sensible, independent, strong, educated, traditional but a modern girl. I think it is a challenging character,” says Shruti.

Once known as “iron legs”, Shruti has become the “golden girl” of the industry. She, however, says, “It’s not a jewellery store to be named as iron or silver leg. My approach has been the same since the beginning of my career and if people like my work, I am happy. If people look at me differently now, it is good for me.”

She adds that she has always tried different characters. “If somebody approaches me with the same character that I have done earlier, I tell them sorry, I have already done it and it is not exciting. But in Srimanthudu, the character is unique and that’s the reason I am excited about it,” says Shruti.

And she can’t stop praising her co-star Mahesh. “He is calm and good with his approach. He is a well-mannered and disciplined person. Though he is a big star, he never shows his attitude and is a down-to-earth person. He doesn’t make people uncomfortable. While shooting, I would play pranks on sets, and he is a lot of fun,” says the actress.

When asked whether Mahesh’s handsome looks would overshadow her in the film, she says, “It is not a Miss India or Miss Universe contest. He is good looking and good for the movie and we need more good looking people.”

Is it advantageous in the industry if one comes from a filmi family, we ask Kamal Haasan’s daughter. “Everybody has their own struggles and their own journey. Yes, if you are somebody’s son or daughter, the doors open for us; but the expectations are different, which is a different struggle for us, and new actors don’t have this. Be it Ranbir Kapoor or Charan or I or anybody, people always compare us with our parents. We grew up watching our parents so we know which one is easy and which one is difficult. We have to prove our talent, which is common for everyone,” she says.

She adds that no one offers her films because of her father. “Then they would offer the film to him. If they expect you to perform like Kamal Haasan in Sadma in your second film, it’s not going to happen,” she says.

Shruti adds that her father’s image is not an obstruction to her. “He never interferes in my work; he always says that ‘It’s your life and you choose what you like’. If he wants to see my film, he will — but it’s not mandatory,” says Shruti.