Actor Shruti Haasan has revealed that she never intended to pursue acting as a career and initially agreed to appear in the 2009 Hindi film Luck after co-star Imran Khan informed her about the opportunity. Speaking at the India Today South Conclave 2026 in Kochi on Wednesday, she recalled that her original ambition was to work behind the camera, write and pursue music rather than establish herself as an actor.
The daughter of actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika, Shruti said her entry into films happened unexpectedly. Although she had grown up surrounded by cinema, her immediate priority at the time was to earn enough money to purchase musical instruments and recording equipment.
Imran Khan's offer changed her plans
Recalling how she landed her first substantial acting role, Shruti said Imran Khan, whom she considers her rakhi brother, informed her about an opportunity in Luck. She accepted the project because she wanted to become financially independent and invest in her musical ambitions.
At the time, Shruti was interested in buying a drum kit and mixer console. She regarded the film as a one-time opportunity to earn money and had no intention of continuing in the profession.
However, working on the film gradually changed her perspective. She said the experience awakened her interest in acting, although watching her performance on screen subsequently made her realise that she needed to approach the profession with greater dedication.
Dissatisfied with her own performance, she decided to improve her skills and take acting seriously. She described her second film as the beginning of her more committed journey as an actor.
An unexpected debut in 'Hey Ram'
Shruti also recalled that her first screen appearance had come much earlier, in her father's 2000 film Hey Ram. She explained that she had been assisting her mother in the costume department when an unexpected casting requirement brought her in front of the camera.
According to Shruti, the production team needed someone to portray the daughter of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Since she was available on the set, she was asked to play the part and even had to prepare her own costume for the scene.
The actor described the experience as an accidental introduction to cinema rather than a planned debut. She also recalled that working with her parents demanded discipline because both maintained high professional standards.
Working across film industries
Discussing her career in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu cinema, Shruti said she never consciously developed a strategy to work across different languages. Having grown up in a family closely associated with several film industries, she considered moving between them a natural progression.
She pointed out that actors from earlier generations had worked across linguistic boundaries long before the expression pan-India cinema became popular. According to her, performers in the 1970s and 1980s had already demonstrated how cinema could connect audiences across regions.
Shruti said her interest in different film industries stemmed from the opportunity to experience varied cultures and storytelling traditions. She added that she did not believe actors should restrict themselves to a particular language or regional identity.
Shruti expresses interest in Malayalam cinema
The actor also expressed her admiration for Malayalam cinema, saying she would welcome an opportunity to work in the industry. Despite having established herself in several other film industries, she has yet to make her Malayalam debut.
She particularly appreciated Malayalam filmmakers for concentrating on storytelling and meaningful moments rather than pursuing scale merely to attract audiences across the country. Shruti said she hoped a suitable project would eventually allow her to work in the industry.
On nepotism and family expectations
Addressing questions about growing up in a prominent film family, Shruti acknowledged that navigating public expectations had initially been difficult. She said her background attracted scrutiny, while her interests in music and unconventional career choices sometimes shaped how others perceived her.
Rather than constantly attempting to challenge those perceptions, she eventually decided to concentrate on establishing her own identity. She maintained that her priority had always been to be recognised for her individual work rather than solely through her parents' achievements.
She also observed that social media had intensified public scrutiny, making it increasingly difficult for artists and other individuals to express themselves without facing criticism.
Independent music remains a priority
Despite her established acting career, Shruti acknowledged that she had not devoted as much attention to independent music as she originally intended. She said cinema had occupied most of her professional time, leaving her with fewer opportunities to release her own compositions.
The actor now intends to devote greater attention to independent music and is planning a tour featuring original material alongside reworked versions of her film songs. She believes independent musicians require greater encouragement and opportunities to develop their work.
Shruti also spoke about her forthcoming projects, including the second season of Call Me Bae and a film featuring Dulquer Salmaan. Asked about Salaar 2, she acknowledged that discussions had taken place but said the filmmakers would be better placed to confirm the project's status.