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She might have grown up in the shade of Kollywood’s famed family tree. But it’s not as if Shruti wanted to burn up the arc lights from a young age. A free spirit, she knew where to draw the line between the burgeoning Haasan brand and her own identity. Today, cinema is just one of her many interests. “It’s another curve in my artistic journey,” says the 21-year-old, as she prepares for her debut film in Kollywood.

After a brief pause, she continues, “It took me a while to take the plunge because I’m deeply involved with music and writing poetry. I was attracted to this project because Nishikant is a sensible director. Besides, I trust my co-star Madhavan’s sensibility as a performer. It’s a good launch pad. Shooting will commence soon, I’m excited.”

Mention music, and she hits a new octave. “Music keeps me busy. The album I’m working on is too close to me to put a time-line on it. I play my own music, write my own lyrics and also like to oversee production. The lyrics are about life, love and me trying to relate to people. The largest umbrella under which you can put it is alternative music. But I don’t like these classifications. Music is mood-centric. My music reflects my persona. I defy classifications. I don’t like to stick to one thing. I love to experiment. And I’m like a mad scientist in the music department. It’s okay if things blow up in my face once in a while, but I can’t resist experimenting. It’s been an interesting journey with music.”

Tracing the journey, she adds, “I was trained in Hindustani. It helped in voice culture and discipline. I sang even as a child. I rendered a song for Thevar Magan. Now, I’ve sung a number for Gautham Menon’s Varanam Aayiram. Music is not just about sounding great; it’s also about feeling great. My journey is about reaching a state of mind. What matters is not about how you reach your destination but how you feel when you reach there. Thankfully, I was born into a home that was artistically fuelled. Even today, in the home I live with my dad and Gouthami, there’s a great deal of freedom of thought and expression. Dad’s not worried about the questions I ask. He doesn’t think he’s brought up a monster! And Gouthami is such an amazing person. She’s so strong and it’s lovely to live with someone who isn’t intimidated by life.”

Discuss writing, and Shruti speaks with felicity, “I write every night as a rule. They are random thoughts that eventually develop into poems or lyrics for my album. You know, I’m a random person and I’m proud of my randomness. Hah, and I’m also a proud Aquarian.”

Getting serious, she adds, “I read a lot. Franz Kafka is my all-time favourite. I also dabbled in psychology before going to Los Angeles to pursue music.” Coming to poetry, “My works are kind of abstract. They are my perception of things. But they allow others to plug in and interpret. I’ve penned over a hundred poems. Now, it’s open only to a limited circle. Hope I don’t get run over by a truck. I have to bring it out as a book some day,” she adds jocularly. Switching to quasi-philosophical mode the next minute, she concludes, “But don’t judge a book by its cover. I love the fact that we all have covers. Understanding people helps me understand myself.”

T. KRITHIKA REDDY

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