'After Kolaveri Di, people look at me accusingly'

One of the most eagerly awaited films of this year is Aishwarya R Dhanush's directorial debut, 3 (Moonu) starring her husband Dhanush and Shruti Haasan.

With the song Kolaveri di becoming such a huge hit, the interest has doubled. This is Shruti Haasan's next film after the commercially successful 7Aum Arivu.

In this interview with Shobha Warrier, Shruti talks about living as the character Janani in 3.

Aishwarya wrote the script with you in mind but you could not allot dates to the film at first and another heroine was booked. You came back later. Do you feel you were destined to be Janani? Do you believe in destiny?

Yes, I do feel I am destined to be Janani. In a way, I believe in destiny too. Janani now is someone I know very well. She is like a friend of mine.

Are you like Janani?

She is nothing like me. But playing Janani was very close to my heart.

What did you enjoy the most about the role?

Janani allowed me to delve deep into many emotions as the film is real and very emotional. The character is beautifully written and etched.

I had the company of Dhanush as co-star, which was really a blessing for me.

You portray three different stages of the girl's life. What was is like going back to being a school girl?

It was nostalgic. I don't remember the last time I wore a school uniform! My mother used to make me wear the uniform and make two plaits.

I felt great doing it. You can transform into any character of any age. It's all in the mind.

How did you attain the mindset of a teenager?

The body language and mindset are all important. I am neither a method actor nor a trained one. So, I don't generally prepare for any role. Becoming the character and being in that moment are most important.

That was how I became Janani. Wherever Janani went, I followed her. I didn't break her journey into school girl, college girl, etc. It was only Janani and wherever she took me, I went.

The advertisements talk about first love, first kiss, first meeting, etc. How was it going through those emotions?

Wonderful and nostalgic! When we grow up, we tend to forget our first crush, first love, as we move along. Only when you see something on TV or hear someone say something do you go back to those moments.

Sometimes, when I listen to a song that reminds me of something that I went through, I think, oh my god, I wish I was back in that time!

The story is written by Aishwarya. Is there a difference in the way a woman looks at love and how emotions are depicted in the film?

There is a difference, yes. But this is her first film and it was very nice working with Aishwarya. It is a great first film for her. I will be able to tell more about her direction style as she continues, perhaps after she does her second film.

How was it working with Dhanush, who is a National Award-winning actor?

It was an absolute pleasure working with him. Everybody knows that he is very talented. He understands a lot about cinema and its nuances. He was not just a supportive co-star; he was much more than that.

He talks to you about every aspect of cinema. It was an absolute learning experience and pleasure working with him. I am thankful for the way he helped me and encouraged me. He helped with the dialogues, expressions, etc.

You spoke about having discussions with Dhanush on various aspects of cinema. Do you also look at cinema as a whole and not just acting alone?

Yes, definitely. And I enjoy working with people who also have the same outlook, who are comprehensive artists.

Such people look at art as a whole and not just acting alone. It is a different experience to work with a co-artist than a co-star.
That was why it was a different experience working with Dhanush because he is a comprehensive and complete artist.

Have you always been interested in cinema as an art form?

Yes. I don't see myself as just an actor. I grew up in a home where everybody was involved in some art form or other. My mother dabbled in costumes and many other aspects of cinema. Of course, my dad is involved in all aspects of cinema. So, I understand cinema as a whole.

My home is a very artistic home where writing, painting, singing, everything is there. My biggest blessing in life was growing up in a home like this. I didn't grow up with two actors but with two artists.

My father is a comprehensive artist. There are moments of amalgamation while being an artist. For example, when I am singing Kannazhaga in 3, I am not singing as Shruti; I am singing as Janani. It was the first time I was singing as a character. These are the moments that are beautiful for me as an artist.

Were you happy that you could sing in the film?

Yes. Everybody says Shruti has a particular style of singing. I am a trained vocalist and I trained in America and have sung rock, jazz, country music... everything. It was a blessing that I could sing in different voices and styles.

I was nervous when I had to sing Kannazhaga. It was not my style, but I sang it as a challenge and it was such a beautiful song. I am very happy I did it. I didn't know I could sing like that. Anirudh brought out the versatility in me as a singer.

Now that you are more into acting, do you miss your rock band days and music?

I do. But I still write music every day. I need to write something every day. I am still making music, I have not abandoned it. I want to bring out an album but I have not been able to focus on it.

How did you take the frenzy that the song Kolaveri di created?

I only had an auxiliary part in the song to be very honest. People ask me, is he not singing about you? Now, I have become that horrible girl, with a black heart.

I have to constantly say, I don't have a black heart. I am not that white girl with a black heart! I tell people, don't look at me accusingly!

It is such a great phenomenon and nobody can plan such things. You can't sit and pray, 'god, please make the song go viral'. It just happens. It was the great work of Anirudh and Dhanush.

You are there in the video...

I was there to record Kannazhaga.

There are high expectations of the film.

When people ask me whether I am nervous, whether I am excited to see my work, I say, yes, I want people to see it and that is the excitement.

What can you do beyond that? You have already shot the film. Today, you can't do anything. All my nervousness, excitement, and energy was used at the time of shooting for the film. I am excited for people to meet Janani and Ram.

You spoke like Mohanlal. This was his answer once when I asked him the same question...

Now, I am glad I spoke like Mohanlal!