I love the Mumbai monsoons, but it really does get messy.
— Shruti Haasan
I want to act in films and use all my financial resources to fund independent music.
Blues, rock, and soul are part of the music I make, but there are Indian influences, too.
I have always been a fan of Mahesh Manjrekar's work. I like the way he tells his stories. He manages to focus on aspects of human beings and of society, which we don't often see in cinema.
Having worked in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil film industries, I've been lucky to have travelled far and wide for shoots.
Music has always been my passion.
I am open to playback singing, but only if my acting schedule permits. I would love to sing for myself in my films, but that depends on the director and if the makers think my voice is needed.
I want to be a pan-India artist.
Breaking expectations, even as an audience member, is something that I have enjoyed.
I really love picking up subjects where people say, 'How is this going to work?' and trying to find a way to make it work because every story needs to be told.
If you have a five-second role in a film, and those five seconds make sense, then that is what matters.
My mother herself is a very independent woman, and I've had a leading example in this respect. And my father is a very liberal father who has always taught us to question things. He lives life on his own terms and stands by his beliefs. So, he has also been a great example.
I party only with my close friends in Chennai and L.A.
If having it easy means there are more doors open to you, then one must not forget that you still have to navigate your life yourself.
Playing music and singing are my forms of meditation.
I watch and appreciate all genres.
Sleep is my best friend... A friend that helps you dream, relaxes, recharges, and is there at the end of every day!
I love Mumbai for many reasons.
It really broke my heart when music took a back seat when I was concentrating more on films. It was like choosing between two children.
I am very bad at schmoozing, and I'm not overtly charming in social situations.
My philosophy is to be strong and work hard.
I am nomadic by nature.
We need to put an end to discrimination against women, and the power to bring about this change lies in our hands.
It is a conscious decision that I do films in different languages.
I love romantic comedies. When I am at home, and if I want to watch something, I would probably watch a romantic comedy.
People are genuinely interested in other human beings and their stories.
I turn to my parents for support, but their lives and careers are different and mine is different, so I don't consult them regarding my career. I make my own choices.
I have always believed that if a film has only two characters, but they do not make any sense, then the film's meaningless.
I don't think I'm defying stereotypes on purpose. If it so appears that way, so be it. For me, I've been brought up that way.
I was satisfied with my role in 'Luck,' and I am proud of the film.
Music has always taken me to my 'thinking place' - the one place that makes me dwell on the meaning of things and ponder why things are the way they are.
I'm a musician, and I discovered the power of music pretty early in life.
I try and watch as many different films as I can because every film has something to offer.
Only your work is your hands, and I focus on that.
I first came to Mumbai when I was very young. My mom is from here, and dad always had some work around here, so Mumbai always felt like a second home. I moved here when I was 16 and went to junior college here as well.
I started out dabbling in rock and roll; then I did playback, and I have also sung for my own songs on screen.
In Mahesh Manjrekar's films, women find their way into a realistic story in the most convincing way.
I take offence if I'm called arrogant, because I've been brought up in a family that does not endorse arrogance.
No amount of learning goes to waste. It adds to building your skill set and intellect.
I've never acted with my father, but we have always connected through music. He has been a great influence musically. He has always been encouraging about my music and is always happy when I sing.
My South Indian audience matters to me a lot, so I like when they watch my Bollywood films. It feels great.
My idea of romance is pretty old school.
Television is a huge industry, and actors down south are aware of it.
As an actress, I should be playing my parts with conviction; otherwise, the audience won't be convinced.
I'm trained in classical music, and my favourites have always been rock n' roll and blues, but I've grown up with different kinds of music around me because of my parents.
When I work with different musicians, I draw a lot of things from them, and that has really expanded my musical thinking.
I'm not going to lie; having acting greats like Kamal Haasan and Sarika as parents has, in a sense, opened doors.
With music, I'm transported to a place that radiates positive frequencies and immediately eases my worries.
I will never endorse a fairness product because I was not comfortable growing up being the darkest person in my family. Also, I won't endorse alcohol, as I believe that it's not good for health.
There is an unrealistic pressure to perform like Kamal Haasan, and it's unnatural, because he's been in the industry for so many years, I don't even take the comparisons seriously.
