Actress, Shruti Haasan was born to veteran actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika. Like most kids, she believed her mum and dad would spend the rest of their lives together. However, the harsh reality of life hit Shruti as she entered her early years of adulthood when Kamal and Sarika announced their decision to part ways. Recently, Shruti reflected on their painful divorce and the lessons she learnt from it.
Shruti Haasan has no qualms about admitting that she experienced a very comfortable childhood, given her good fortune of being born into an artistic family. However, in a recent heart-to-heart chat with Pinkvilaa, Shruti opened up about going through tough times in her life as well, especially when her parents, Kamal Haasan and Sarika, split up. Shruti stated:
"See, I was born in a very beautiful family. Artistic, intelligent parents, and by the grace of God, lots of comforts. But I have seen the other side of it as well. When my parents split up, everything changed. That's when I realised the value of financial independence, personality dependent independence."
For the uninitiated, Kamal Haasan and Sarika's love first blossomed on the set of the 1984 film, Raaj Tilak. Soon after, the couple tied the knot in 1988, but their marriage was not as happy as they hoped. After facing several challenges and trying hard to overcome their issues, Kamal and Sarika made the tough decision to part ways, with their divorce being finalised in 2004.
Shruti Haasan further reflected on everything she learnt about women's independence from her mother, Sarika taking the daunting decision to walk out of her marriage. The actress candidly remarked:
"Especially being a daughter and seeing that mumma walked out of a marriage, it taught me an important lesson on why it is important for a woman to be independent."
Shruti further highlighted the importance of women's independence, which isn't as celebrated as men's. She referred to being an 'independent feminist' as a 'silent, un-applauded' battle that didn't need a daily announcement. According to Shruti, many women would relate to the fact that there was no one to applaud them, even as they did everything by themselves, including living and paying the bills.
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Shruti Haasan admitted that her parents' separation was hard on her and her younger sister, Akshara. However, she noted that the decision was tough on them as well. Offering a nuanced perspective on the complexities of family relationships, Shruti said:
"Of course it is painful, for the children as well as the parents. This is a normal part of so many homes today. And it is not like it is painful only when the parents are getting separated. There are homes, where, for society, the parents live together, sometimes there is more pain in those homes because it's hidden."
Looking back at the time when her parents were still together, Shruti said that they 'were the most beautiful couple' she had ever seen. Fondly recalling how they would 'work together, go to the sets together,' Shruti stated that they were a family of film people through and through. Shruti also recounted how she and her mum would work in the costume department while Akshara was in the assistant director department and also contributed to the art department.
However, Kamal and Sarika maintained the same maturity when they decided to part ways. Shruti, in her conversation with Pinkvilla, recounted that her parents were mature enough to have an open and honest discussion about their decision. She also emphasised that their children’s well-being had been their biggest priority throughout. Shruti, displaying her own maturity, said that she was happy Kamal and Sarika were her parents, and if they were happier separated, then it would be 'good' for her and Akshara, too.
What do you think of Shruti Haasan's revelations?
Also Read: Richa Chadha On 'Imaginary' Bollywood, '15 Families Between Bandra-Goregaon Think They're Bollywood'
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