Music is the truest form of love I’ve ever experienced: Shruti Haasan

For Shruti Haasan, music is far more than a profession.

It is a companion and a creative refuge.

So, unlike many who mark World Music Day on their calendars, the actress-musician says she doesn’t feel the need for a dedicated day to celebrate it. “Except for my birthday, I haven’t really bothered with days,” she quips.

Excerpts:‘MUSIC IS WORK, BUT ALSO MY BEST FRIEND’“I don’t need a day to celebrate music.

On one level, it’s my work.

But, on another, it’s my best friend.

I always go back to it on a good or a bad day.

It’s solitary and it’s my creative space.

Music is the truest form of love I’ve ever experienced.

Writing and music are the only companions I want in my solitude,” she explains.‘MY MUSIC IS THE GO-TO SAFE SPACE FOR ME TO BE MYSELF’For Shruti, holding on to her individuality as a musician has never been a struggle. “My music is the go-to safe space for me to be myself.

It’s never needed me to take an effort to hold on to my individuality.” That, she says, is precisely what sets music apart from acting. “That’s why when people ask me to choose between the two, I really can’t; they’re completely different.

In acting, there’s a sense of responsibility and compassion towards the character you’re playing.

A different part of my brain and emotional intelligence is at work.

But in music, it’s not a duty to a character or another person, but loyalty to myself.”A song, for me, is personal and autobiographical.

I want to take the time to honour it.

I don't feel the pressure of reels or timelines when it comes to my independent music.

It's an emotional process‘A SONG, FOR ME, IS PERSONAL AND AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL’Explaining why she takes her time releasing independent music, Shruti shares, “That’s one complaint I get from everyone.

A song, for me, is personal and autobiographical.

I want to take the time to honour it.

I don’t feel the pressure of reels or timelines when it comes to my independent music.

It’s an emotional process.”Shruti also embraces putting herself out there through her music. “I’m a transparent person.

So, I write about myself, and I want people to relate to that,” she says and credits her musical influences for teaching her that lesson. “Whether you’re listening to an Ilaiyaraaja or Bob Dylan song, something about their music makes you feel like they understand exactly how you feel.”‘I’M GOING ON TOUR WITH A LOVELY MUMBAI-BASED BAND’Shruti is now gearing up to explore the solo concert space. “I just need to finish my shooting dates, and then, I’m going to get on tour with a lovely band based out of Mumbai.

The setlist will feature a mix of my songs and my father’s songs reimagined.

It’s going to be a nice, long show,” she assures.Performing live, Shruti says, gives her a great sense of joy. “I become a different person.

I don’t know where Shruti disappears to and somebody else takes over.

I love that version of myself because I’m completely free.

It’s an amazing dichotomy between being fully surrendered and connected to my audience while also being in tune with myself,” she says.‘I’M ABLE TO HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS’Ask her if she was ever told her music was too unconventional for the mainstream, and Shruti admits, “So many times.

There was a period, especially around 2012, when people would tell me, ‘No, don’t do it.

People will get confused about whether to see you as an actor or a singer’.

Now, times have changed, and I’m so thankful for that.”She continues, “Apart from my independent music, I’ve been doing my films, while also having a Vinveli Nayaga (her song in Thug Life ) or a Pavazha Malli (the Tamil indie song in which she featured with Sai Abhyankkar).

I’m able to have the best of both worlds.”‘Pavazha Malli was completely outside the genre I usually do’Shruti believes cinema has changed the way she writes songs and poetry. “Being an actress has contributed to my songwriting a lot.

After exploring characters and stories, my songwriting became much more visual,” she says.

Elaborating on her priorities at the moment, Shruti shares, “I want to collaborate with other musicians and step out of my comfort zone.

That’s why doing Pavazha Malli was so much fun.

It’s completely outside the genre I usually write in or the kind of vocal rendition I do.” Interestingly, she had played the character of Pavazha Malli in Vijay’s Puli (2015). “It was purely a coincidence.

I always say the universe is the greatest screenplay writer,” she signs off.Read the latest Entertainment News and Celebrity updates.

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