Shruti and Sonakshi: Young, Beautiful, and Talented
Shruti Haasan Speaks
Her film career’s going great guns with her debut film, Soham Shah’s Luck opposite Imraan Khan, ready for release. As for her music, she’s now in Los Angeles working on her first English album.
Shruti Haasan has her hands full in the most wonderful way, but she’s not letting any confusion creep into her two passions, films and music. “Both films and music are an integral part of me and I give each the space they deserve.”
The elder daughter of Sarika and Kamal Haasan, Shruti’s very proud of her parentage and upbringing. “I always had music around me, 24X7. My dad loved The Who and Beatles, my mom loved Floyd and Dylan. Dad was always so alive; he would be singing and entertaining us, or making us sing and dance. It was an electric and artistically charged atmosphere.”
Even so, Shruti says she never really knew what she wanted to be. “Chennai was an incredible rooted place to grow up in. I went to a lovely school (Lady Andal, Chennai) which really helped in developing a sense of self. I grew up with amazing friends and a lot of books.”
Books are another passion.” I love reading! I could talk for hours and hours about authors and books that have changed my life.” Kafka, whose “It’s often safer to be in chains than to be free” quote adorns her Myspace profile, is a special favourite.
But the life of a singing star was a huge attraction. “I remember putting on a CD and practising with a hair brush in front of a mirror in my bathroom and blowing kisses to invisible audiences. I began as a bathroom singer,” she says with a wink.
Shruti was just six when she sang her first song for Ilaiyaraaja, and made her Bollywood playback debut shortly thereafter singing with her father for Chachi 420 and then Hey Ram.
In the alternative music scene Shruti made her debut with her band The Extrementals at the Rolling Stone launch last year. But it’s not easy to survive in non-mainstream music, Shruti feels. “I’ve seen so many wonderful bands and it isn’t easy. I really respect their consistency and passion.”
Cut to the present, Shruti feels it's a great time to be part of Bollywood. “There are so many people making different choices, narrating unique stories and basically pushing their own buttons. It’s a very important time.”
Her film career’s going great guns with her debut film, Soham Shah’s Luck opposite Imraan Khan, ready for release. As for her music, she’s now in Los Angeles working on her first English album.
Shruti Haasan has her hands full in the most wonderful way, but she’s not letting any confusion creep into her two passions, films and music. “Both films and music are an integral part of me and I give each the space they deserve.”
The elder daughter of Sarika and Kamal Haasan, Shruti’s very proud of her parentage and upbringing. “I always had music around me, 24X7. My dad loved The Who and Beatles, my mom loved Floyd and Dylan. Dad was always so alive; he would be singing and entertaining us, or making us sing and dance. It was an electric and artistically charged atmosphere.”
Even so, Shruti says she never really knew what she wanted to be. “Chennai was an incredible rooted place to grow up in. I went to a lovely school (Lady Andal, Chennai) which really helped in developing a sense of self. I grew up with amazing friends and a lot of books.”
Books are another passion.” I love reading! I could talk for hours and hours about authors and books that have changed my life.” Kafka, whose “It’s often safer to be in chains than to be free” quote adorns her Myspace profile, is a special favourite.
But the life of a singing star was a huge attraction. “I remember putting on a CD and practising with a hair brush in front of a mirror in my bathroom and blowing kisses to invisible audiences. I began as a bathroom singer,” she says with a wink.
Shruti was just six when she sang her first song for Ilaiyaraaja, and made her Bollywood playback debut shortly thereafter singing with her father for Chachi 420 and then Hey Ram.
In the alternative music scene Shruti made her debut with her band The Extrementals at the Rolling Stone launch last year. But it’s not easy to survive in non-mainstream music, Shruti feels. “I’ve seen so many wonderful bands and it isn’t easy. I really respect their consistency and passion.”
Cut to the present, Shruti feels it's a great time to be part of Bollywood. “There are so many people making different choices, narrating unique stories and basically pushing their own buttons. It’s a very important time.”
Sonakshi Sinha Speaks
She wanted to be a biotechnologist or an astronaut, but her poor mathematics came in the way. In retrospect, actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha’s youngest child Sonakshi Sinha is happy she didn’t plan too hard.
“I like the way my life has shaped up minus the planning,” says this fashion design student who aspires to model her own creations on ramp. Well, that didn’t quite happen but Sonakshi did lose nearly 30 kilograms to make her ramp debut last year.
Sonakshi, who turned 22 this week, is clearly the kid of the family as she takes a break from this interview to answer her mother — “Haan mumma, I’ll take it na…” Turning back, she continues, “We’ve always been kept away from the industry and led a private, sheltered life. I have no friends from the industry. Mom made sure to keep us grounded.”
A student of fashion design at SNDT college, Mumbai, “modelling just happened” says Sonakshi. “I’m really enjoying it now but I won’t waste my education. I was student of the year at SNDT and I plan to launch my label after having made a name for myself. People will identify better with my label when they know of me otherwise.”
But that’s the long-term plan; for now, she’s looking at scripts for her Bollywood debut. “I don’t want run-of-the-mill stuff; my parents are taking care of that department. Once I get off ground I’m confident to make my mark. After all, I am my father's daughter!”
She would love to act opposite Hrithik Roshan and “all the Khans”, and has her pick of favourite directors too — “Anurag Kashyap and Ashutosh Gowarikar. I would like to do films with old world charm, something like Jodha Akbar and Parineeta.”
“Cinema has changed so much over the years, but you know now is a good time for new comers. The script is what matters, no big star names or big budgets, so I’m glad I’m here now.”
Being a star kid can be a huge plus, it can be a disadvantage too. “I don’t face any problems thanks to my parents. But I’m very clear —do my work and go back home. If you do make friends along the way, you are lucky.”
Sonakshi also knows her limits. “My parents are quite happy as long as I don’t cross limits…something like walking in a bikini is a strict no-no,” she gushes.
Doting mother Poonam chips in, “She has always been a creative kid. I remember how she used to sketch silhouettes and designs on paper as a kid and throw it away. I would go and pick them up. She took time to identify her creativity but I always knew it.”
“But of course it’s safe to say she has taken more after her father,” she adds.
She wanted to be a biotechnologist or an astronaut, but her poor mathematics came in the way. In retrospect, actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha’s youngest child Sonakshi Sinha is happy she didn’t plan too hard.
“I like the way my life has shaped up minus the planning,” says this fashion design student who aspires to model her own creations on ramp. Well, that didn’t quite happen but Sonakshi did lose nearly 30 kilograms to make her ramp debut last year.
Sonakshi, who turned 22 this week, is clearly the kid of the family as she takes a break from this interview to answer her mother — “Haan mumma, I’ll take it na…” Turning back, she continues, “We’ve always been kept away from the industry and led a private, sheltered life. I have no friends from the industry. Mom made sure to keep us grounded.”
A student of fashion design at SNDT college, Mumbai, “modelling just happened” says Sonakshi. “I’m really enjoying it now but I won’t waste my education. I was student of the year at SNDT and I plan to launch my label after having made a name for myself. People will identify better with my label when they know of me otherwise.”
But that’s the long-term plan; for now, she’s looking at scripts for her Bollywood debut. “I don’t want run-of-the-mill stuff; my parents are taking care of that department. Once I get off ground I’m confident to make my mark. After all, I am my father's daughter!”
She would love to act opposite Hrithik Roshan and “all the Khans”, and has her pick of favourite directors too — “Anurag Kashyap and Ashutosh Gowarikar. I would like to do films with old world charm, something like Jodha Akbar and Parineeta.”
“Cinema has changed so much over the years, but you know now is a good time for new comers. The script is what matters, no big star names or big budgets, so I’m glad I’m here now.”
Being a star kid can be a huge plus, it can be a disadvantage too. “I don’t face any problems thanks to my parents. But I’m very clear —do my work and go back home. If you do make friends along the way, you are lucky.”
Sonakshi also knows her limits. “My parents are quite happy as long as I don’t cross limits…something like walking in a bikini is a strict no-no,” she gushes.
Doting mother Poonam chips in, “She has always been a creative kid. I remember how she used to sketch silhouettes and designs on paper as a kid and throw it away. I would go and pick them up. She took time to identify her creativity but I always knew it.”
“But of course it’s safe to say she has taken more after her father,” she adds.
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Posted at 8:22 AM | Labels: shruti haasan, Sonakshi Sinha |