Early Life and Background
Shruti Haasan was born on January 28, 1986, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. She is the daughter of two prominent figures in Indian cinema—actor Kamal Haasan and actress Sarika Thakur. Shruti grew up in a multilingual environment, exposed to both Tamil and Hindi cinema due to her family’s diverse cultural background. She completed her schooling at Abacus Montessori School in Chennai and later moved to Mumbai to study psychology at St. Andrew’s College. However, her passion for music and cinema led her to the Musicians Institute in California, where she studied music.
Entry into the Film Industry: Shruti Haasan
Shruti made her acting debut as a child in her father’s film Hey Ram (2000), where she portrayed the younger version of Rani Mukerji’s character. Her first leading role came in the Bollywood film Luck (2009), an action-thriller where she starred alongside Imran Khan. Although Luck did not perform well at the box office, it introduced Shruti as a fresh face in the Indian film industry.
Breakthrough in South Indian Cinema: Shruti Haasan
Shruti Haasan found her breakthrough in South Indian cinema, specifically in Telugu and Tamil films. In 2011, she starred in the Telugu fantasy-adventure film Anaganaga O Dheerudu and the Tamil sci-fi thriller 7aum Arivu opposite Suriya. While Anaganaga O Dheerudu was appreciated for its visual effects, 7aum Arivu became a commercial success and marked Shruti’s arrival as a leading actress in the Tamil industry.
She further established herself with the Telugu film Gabbar Singh (2012), a remake of the Bollywood hit Dabangg. Starring opposite Pawan Kalyan, the film became a blockbuster and earned Shruti widespread recognition in the Telugu film industry. She followed up with hits like Balupu (2013), Race Gurram (2014), and Srimanthudu (2015), solidifying her position as one of Tollywood’s top actresses.
Bollywood Career: Shruti Haasan
Shruti continued to work in Bollywood, with notable performances in films like Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (2011), Ramaiya Vastavaiya (2013), D-Day (2013), and Gabbar Is Back (2015), starring alongside major actors like Ajay Devgn, Arjun Rampal, and Akshay Kumar. Her role in D-Day, where she played a prostitute with vulnerability and resilience, was particularly praised by critics. Though her Bollywood journey saw mixed success, Shruti showcased her versatility across different genres, from action and romance to thriller.
Musical Pursuits and Singing Career: Shruti Haasan
Alongside acting, Shruti is an accomplished singer and musician. She sang her first song at the age of six in her father’s movie, Thevar Magan. Over the years, she has lent her voice to various films in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, including tracks in her movies like Luck, Aagadu, Race Gurram, and 3 (where she performed the popular song “Kannazhaga”).
Shruti has performed at various music events and collaborated with international musicians. In addition to playback singing, she also formed an alternative rock band in Los Angeles and occasionally performs live shows. Her passion for music is reflected in her ability to balance her music and acting careers successfully.
Key Films and Notable Performances: Shruti Haasan
- 3 (2012): Shruti starred alongside Dhanush in this Tamil psychological thriller, gaining immense popularity for her role and for the song “Why This Kolaveri Di,” which went viral. Her performance as Janani, dealing with love and loss, was highly praised.
- Gabbar Singh (2012): The Telugu remake of Dabangg, where Shruti played the female lead, marked a major turning point in her career, earning her widespread recognition in Telugu cinema.
- D-Day (2013): Her portrayal of Suraiya, a Karachi-based sex worker, received critical acclaim. The film showcased her ability to take on challenging roles in intense narratives.
- Race Gurram (2014): This Telugu action-comedy was one of the biggest hits of the year and featured Shruti in a lively and charming role opposite Allu Arjun.
- Srimanthudu (2015): Starring alongside Mahesh Babu, Shruti’s role in this film about village adoption and rural development received positive reviews and contributed to the film’s massive success.
- Puli (2015): A fantasy action-adventure in Tamil cinema, where Shruti played the love interest of Vijay’s character in a visually grand narrative.
Awards and Recognition: Shruti Haasan
Throughout her career, Shruti Haasan has been recognized with several awards and nominations, including:
- SIIMA Award for Best Actress for Race Gurram
- Filmfare Award nominations in South cinema
- Edison Award for Best Introduced Music Director for her work as a singer and music composer
Her consistent performances in both South Indian and Bollywood films have earned her a strong fan base and respect as a versatile and talented actress-singer.
Personal Life and Interests: Shruti Haasan
Shruti has been open about her love for music and performing arts since her childhood. She is also vocal about issues related to mental health and self-acceptance, often sharing her journey with her followers. Shruti has been linked to several co-stars but generally keeps her personal life private. She is known for her fashion sense and often experiments with bold, edgy looks.
In recent years, Shruti has spoken about finding a balance between her professional and personal life and dedicating time to her music projects. She is also an advocate for animal welfare and environmental causes, frequently using her social media platforms to support these issues.
Future Projects and Continuing Success
Shruti continues to act in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films, embracing challenging roles and diverse scripts. Her career trajectory shows her versatility, from commercially successful films to experimental roles that push her acting abilities. Shruti remains a significant figure in the Indian entertainment industry, both as an actress and a musician.
Physical Stats: Shruti Haasan
- Height: 170 cm (5’ 7”)
- Eye Colour: Hazel Brown
- Hair Colour: Black
Career: Shruti Haasan
- Debut:
- Film (Child Actor): Hey Ram (2000) as Vallabhbhai Patel’s daughter
- Film (Lead Actor): Luck (2009)
- Film (Telugu Actor): Anaganaga O Dheerudu (2011)
- Film (Tamil Actor): 7aum Arivu (2011)
- Film (Tamil Singer): “Potri Paadadi Ponne” for Thevar Magan (1992)
- Web-Series (American Actor): Treadstone (2019) as Nira Patel
Controversies: Shruti Haasan
- In 2013, Shruti was attacked by a stalker in her Mumbai apartment, managing to fight back.
- In 2014, she garnered attention for a public display of affection with Tamannaah Bhatia.
- She filed a police complaint over leaked pictures from the Telugu film Yevadu (2014).
- Rumored to have opted out of the film Sangamithra in 2017 due to issues with the script.
Relationships
- Marital Status: Unmarried
- Affairs/Boyfriends: Siddharth (2010-2011), Dhanush (Rumoured), Naga Chaitanya (2013), Michael Corsale (2016-2019), Santanu Hazarika (2020 – Present)
- Parents: Kamal Haasan (Father), Sarika Thakur (Mother)
- Siblings: Akshara Haasan (Sister)
Favourite Things: Shruti Haasan
- Cuisine: South-Indian
- Actor(s): Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth
- Fashion Brands: Guess, Aldo
- Cosmetic Brand: Mac, Benefit
- Car Collection: Range Rover Sport
Money Factor
- Net Worth: Approx. ₹1.2 crore per film
Lesser Known Facts About Shruti Haasan
Family Background:
- Her father, Kamal Haasan, is a Tamilian, while her mother, Sarika, has Maharashtrian and Rajput ancestry.
- She has a well-known uncle, Charuhasan, who is an actor and lawyer, and her cousins, Anu Hasan and Suhasini Maniratnam, are also actresses in South Indian cinema.
- Suhasini is married to acclaimed director Mani Ratnam.
Early Life:
- Shruti acted in a school play called Ashwaha.
- To avoid the celebrity life, she used the pseudonym “Pooja Ramchandran” during her school years.
- She trained in Indian classical music and is a trained dancer.
Career Highlights:
- She began her playback singing career at age 6, lending her voice to the song “Chupadi Chupadi Chaachi” from Chachi 420 (1997).
- Although she was initially set to debut in Endrendrum Punnagai (2008), the film was delayed. She eventually made her lead debut in Luck (2009), which received mixed reviews.
- Shruti has appeared in several notable Bollywood films, including Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (2011), Ramaiya Vastavaiya (2013), Gabbar Is Back (2015), and Behen Hogi Teri (2017).
- Her work in Tamil films includes hits like 3 (2012), Poojai (2014), Puli (2015), and Si3 (2017).
- She has also starred in popular Telugu films like Balupu (2013), Yevadu (2014), Race Gurram (2014), Katamarayudu (2017), and Krack (2020).
- Shruti lent her voice for many songs, including “Kannazhaga Kaalazhaga” from 3 (2012) and “Jogania” from Tevar (2015), and dubbed for Elsa in the Tamil version of Frozen (2009).
Personal Insights:
- She starred in the Hindi short film Devi (2020) alongside Kajol and Neha Dhupia.
- Shruti is an avid animal lover, frequently sharing pictures with her pets on social media.
- She has a vast collection of stylish shoes, reportedly over 100 pairs.
Family Dynamics:
- Shruti had a period of estrangement from her mother, which they eventually reconciled.
- In interviews, she spoke about her parents’ marriage, highlighting the importance of family, and discussed her mother’s financial independence after their separation.
Friendships and Popularity:
- Shruti maintains a close friendship with fellow actress Tamannaah Bhatia.
- In 2018, she was named one of the most desirable women in Chennai by a poll conducted by Chennai Times.
Public Perception:
- She addressed rumors regarding her relationships, particularly with Ranbir Kapoor, stating that her work takes precedence over such speculations.
- Shruti openly discussed her decision to undergo cosmetic procedures to enhance her appearance.
