'Yes, we are one big, happy family'

MADHU DAIHTOTA / TNN / Aug 5, 2007, 00:00 IST

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... says Shruti Haasan who's just returned from the US to pursue a career in music back home. She holds her parents in the highest esteem and has taken their rift in her stride.

Enjoying her musical venturesMusic is my first love...
I've recently produced an album and written the lyrics for all the songs. The album's not for sale and I've uploaded it on my blog. As a child I found classical music uncool and took it up because I was terrible at maths! But today, I enjoy all kinds of music - I love to sing alternative rock. I've also trained in Hindustani music and recently completed a two-year course in music and songwriting from the Musicians Institute, California.People find it surprising that I've pursued music as a career. But not many know that my dad, Kamal Haasan, is also a very good singer and his family is trained in Carnatic music. So not only am I genetically blessed, I also have a passion for the art.
When I went to the US, I was in for a cultural shock...
And I thought I was 'cool' because I wore jeans and tank tops. But I soon realised I'm very Indian at heart, and a pucca Tamilian at that! Their moral issues are quite scary and I'd get very scandalised by their actions. So my friends called me a prude. And I thought I was a rockstar back home! But I didn't think doing drugs was very cool because I can't do something that will upset my parents.

I have a lot of offers to do films...
And I'm very attracted to them because it's another dimension of my creativity. I will be debuting next year, but I don't believe in talking about projects in the pipeline. I'd want to do a south Indian film at some point because that's where I come from. But Bollywood films also seem interesting because they're visual and aesthetic treats.
Sharing screen space with my dad is a big dream...

But then I'm either going to give a brilliant performance or start puking because I'd get nervous. My dad's a fab actor and so is my mum. I'm aware of all the expectations that will arise once I enter the industry. But I'm not worried about comparisons; I'm only excited by the sheer creativity that goes into the acting process. Also, at the end of the day, it's not about being Kamal and Sarika's daughter; you have to do justice to your job.
Juggling careers in music and films will be difficult...
And that's a question I've been asking myself. There are tons of good musicians like me who need venues to showcase their talent. And I want to bust the myth that singers can't act. Look at Jennifer Lopez: she's been successful as both a musician and an actress. I too want the best of both worlds.
My dad's a super human being and my best friend...
The best thing about him is that he's very open-minded and non-judgemental . He never gives me advice unless I ask him questions. I admire him because he's given me my space and is my friend. Sometimes, though, when he does give me advice, I don't take it too seriously because I don't think it's something I can possibly do. So I just say, "Dad, you're a super man." Right now dad's sharpening another artistic sense - he's making me write one 'publishable article' every week. Meanwhile, he's also introduced me to a wonderful friend named Gauthami, who's a lovely and progressive lady.
Mum is also clued in to our lives...
She's there when we need her and was a great support to my sister Akshara and me during our growing years. She taught me to live my own life and gave me sensible advice when I asked for it. Though both my parents are very cool, it's not the kind of relationship in which we slap them on their backs and say, 'Hey, what's up?' There's a lot of respect for both of them. My sis and I are also insanely close; it's scary sometimes! So yes, we're one big happy Addam's family and will be there for each other always.

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