Shruti Haasan: Kamal Haasan Made Me a Frankenstein’s Monster

Shruti Haasan has a darkly funny way of describing her father’s influence: she calls herself “Frankenstein’s monster.” Speaking with Twinkle Khanna for Tweak India, the actor said Kamal Haasan’s worldview shaped her so completely that she often tells him, “you raised me to be like this.” The conversation, full of affection and gentle teasing, offered a rare glimpse of the Haasan family dynamic.

The ally who rewrote the rules

Shruti described Kamal as her “biggest ally from childhood,” and not in the way of a father who simply protects his daughter. She said he actively encouraged her to question traditional rules around gender and equality.

She credited her mother, Sarika, as “a very independent, well-versed woman” and a beautiful example. But Shruti added that seeing a man at home break those same rules for women was even more powerful in a patriarchal society. When asked if Kamal challenged norms only for his daughter, she answered, “I think in general, yes.”

That distinction matters. It shifts Kamal’s allyship from personal indulgence to a broader position—something Shruti clearly values as she navigates an industry where a daughter of a legend could easily be seen only as a legacy. Her framing is less self-deprecation than gratitude: her worldview is assembled from her father’s beliefs, and she holds him responsible for it.

By naming both parents, Shruti also paints a fuller picture. Sarika gave her a model of professional independence; Kamal gave her permission to expect equality from the men around her. For a generation of Indian women raised between those two influences, that combination is not always common.

The standard Indian dad

Kamal may be an ally, but he is not an easy audience. Shruti said he is “always unimpressed” with her and called him “the standard Indian dad.” The mix of progressive parenting and reserved praise is a familiar one for many South Asian children, even when their father is a film legend.

That gap between ally and critic is part of why the interview feels so relatable. It is one thing to be told to question the world; it is another to still want a parent’s nod. Shruti seems to hold both truths without trying to resolve them.

The conversation also produced a lighter moment: Shruti revealed that Kamal is a fan of Twinkle Khanna’s writing. He had read her columns and a book, and described her as “very witty.” Twinkle replied, “I’m in absolute shock right now. That’s really, really flattering.”

What Shruti has lined up

Shruti was last seen in Rajinikanth’s Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Her upcoming slate includes:

• Aakasamlo Oka Tara, a Telugu film with Dulquer Salmaan
• Salaar 2, the Prabhas-starrer sequel
• Call Me Bae Season 2, the web series with Ananya Panday

For fans, the interview is a reminder that Shruti’s on-screen independence has deep roots at home—and that even a “Frankenstein’s monster” still wants her father’s approval. With Kamal as both architect and toughest critic, that approval is earned, not given.

Source: The Times of India