Shruti Haasan Credits Parents for Nurturing Her Multifaceted Career Path
In a candid conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, actress and singer Shruti Haasan opened up about the creative environment she was raised in, attributing her ability to pursue multiple passions to her famous parents, Kamal Haasan and Sarika. She described growing up in a household where artistic expression was encouraged across various disciplines.
"I grew up in a home with two parents who are very multilingual in the language of arts," Shruti explained. "Each of them was doing multiple things. That environment of nurture that I grew up in... I was allowed to be as many things as I needed to be."
She emphasized that her parents never restricted her dreams or curiosity, fostering a space where she could explore singing, composing, writing, and acting simultaneously. This foundational support, she noted, has been instrumental in her approach to balancing diverse interests throughout her career.
2018 Hiatus: A Turning Point for Mental Health and Self-Discovery
Shruti Haasan reflected on her decision to take a break from acting in 2018, describing it as a pivotal moment that allowed her to address long-standing mental health challenges. She revealed that she had been grappling with "crippling anxiety" for years, which had begun to interfere with her daily activities and professional life.
"I was suffering with crippling anxiety for many years of my life, and I was unable to proceed with daily activities with that level of anxiety," she shared. The break provided her with the necessary time to recalibrate, assess her identity, and focus on healing.
During this period, Shruti also experienced a breakup with her then-boyfriend, theatre actor Michael Corsale, which she acknowledged as the only difficult aspect of that phase. However, she maintained a positive outlook, stating, "Only the best came out of that break. The worst thing was that I dumped him, but everything else was really really good."
Rediscovering Herself Through Music and Simple Living in London
Shruti detailed how she used her time away from the spotlight to reconnect with herself, particularly through music. She moved to London, where she immersed herself in a routine of creativity and self-sufficiency.
"Rediscovering myself through music alone in London was just an amazing time," she recalled. Her days involved mundane yet grounding activities like doing her own laundry, cooking meals, and taking public transport to museums.
She dedicated hours to writing music from scratch and testing it on new audiences without expectations, a process she described as liberating. "I would never change that for the world," Shruti affirmed, highlighting the profound personal growth she experienced during this hiatus.
Moving Forward: Relationships and Continued Evolution
Following her split from Michael Corsale, Shruti Haasan entered a relationship with Mumbai-based doodler and illustrator Santanu Hazarika. The couple was together for several years before parting ways in early 2024.
Through these personal and professional journeys, Shruti has emerged with a renewed sense of self and purpose. Her story underscores the importance of mental health awareness in the entertainment industry and the value of taking intentional breaks for self-care and rediscovery.
As she continues to navigate her multifaceted career, Shruti Haasan remains an inspiring figure for embracing creativity, prioritizing well-being, and evolving through life's challenges.
