In addition to her acting career, Haasan is also an established playback singer and has her own music band. She is a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products.[3]
Haasan completed her schooling fromLady Andal school in Chennai and moved toMumbai to obtain a degree inpsychology atSt. Andrew's College.[15] Haasan focused on cinema and music, and eventually traveled to the US to continue to learn music at theMusicians Institute in California, before returning to Chennai.[16][17]
Haasan's first appearance in a feature film was as a child artist in acameo role as the daughter ofVallabhbhai Patel in the Tamil-Hindi bilingualHey Ram, based on a murder attempt onMahatma Gandhi, directed by her fatherKamal Haasan.[18] After rejecting prominent film offers, most notably the lead role inVenkat Prabhu'sSaroja, reports suggested in late 2007 that Haasan was set to make her actual acting debut in 2008 with a film oppositeMadhavan, directed byNishikant Kamat.[19][20]
Haasan eventually signed up to feature inSoham Shah's Hindi filmLuck, oppositeImran Khan, in July 2008, and shot for the film for nearly a year.[21] Khan, her childhood friend, had recommended her name to the director and Haasan signed on after listening to the entire script and accepted to play a dual role in the action film.[22] She took part in action scenes during filming and worked out extensively.[23] The film opened in July 2009 to unanimously poor reviews from critics and took a poor opening at the box office, with critics stating that she "deserved a better launch vehicle".[24] Reviewers were critical of her performance, withRajeev Masand ofIBN stating that she delivers "dialogues with deadpan expressions", while another critic added that she is perhaps "synthetic and fails to impress".[25][26] Haasan then went on to appear alongsideBlaaze in the promotional videos forUnnaipol Oruvan andEenadu, the bilingual films starring her father, which she had composed the music for. She further made an appearance in a promotional music video for the horror filmHisss, starringMallika Sherawat, where she had also sung a song composed byDave Kushner.[27]
Haasan made her Telugu debut in 2011, acting oppositeSiddharth in the fantasy adventure filmAnaganaga O Dheerudu, directed byPrakash Kovelamudi, son of directorK. Raghavendra Rao. The film, co-produced byWalt Disney Pictures, saw her play a gypsy with magic healing powers defended by a swordsman, played by Siddharth.[28] The film opened to positive reviews, with her performance being praised, with a critic ofSify noting: "Shruti looks quite attractive and makes a wonderful screen presence", while a reviewer fromRediff.com wrote that she "looks beautiful and has a mystical aura about her".[29][30] It however became a box office average.[31] Her second Hindi feature film,Madhur Bhandarkar's romantic comedyDil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, saw her appear in an extended guest appearance alongsideEmraan Hashmi. The film portrayed her as Nikki Narang, the step-daughter of an exMiss India model, with Hashmi's character falling for both mother and daughter.[32] Her performance gained poor responses from critics, with a reviewer citing that her character has been "reduced to post-interval surfacing, last-ditch glamour", while another labelled hers as "so fake that she offers only disappointment";[33] however, the film went on to become a commercial success at the box office.[34]
In mid-2010, Haasan was signed byAR Murugadoss to star oppositeSuriya in his next film7 Aum Arivu, and the film's shooting began in June later that year.[35] The director signed after he felt she looked the part of the scientist, mentioning that she seemed "intelligent and beautiful". She played Subha Srinivasan, a young scientist in the film, who hopes to re-activate the genes of 5th century Buddhist monkBodhidharma, and her performance in the film won appreciation from critics. The film opened to mixed reviews, but became commercially successful.[36][37] Malathi Rangarajan fromThe Hindu noted: "rarely is a heroine given near-equal footing in Tamil films", describing her as "ravishing but that she ought to work harder on spontaneity, and fine-tune her Tamil accent", but concluded "the point is the actor shows promise".[38] Her next Telugu release wasOh My Friend, a romantic comedy film alongside Siddharth again, which also co-starredHansika Motwani andNavdeep. The film told the story of childhood friends, and that of their platonic friendship that went on in their adulthood as well, and for the role Shruti Haasan went on to learn the dance ofKuchipudi.[39] The film opened to average reviews, with several critics claiming the film evoked a sense of "déjà vu", though B. V. S. Prakash ofDeccan Chronicle noted: "Shruti, on her part displays the same conviction."[40] She won theFilmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South forAnaganaga O Dheerudu and7 Aum Arivu and earnedFilmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil nomination for the latter.[41]
Aishwarya Rajinikanth's Tamil directorial debut3, a romantic drama film co-starringDhanush, marked a turning point in Haasan's career.[42] Aishwarya revealed that she had written the script with Shruti in mind, but date problems meant that the film began its shoot withAmala Paul instead. However, in a turn of events, Shruti was re-signed to play the character of Janani, and the film gained much hype prior to release due to the collaboration of herself and Aishwarya, being the daughters of the two leading contemporary Tamil actors Kamal Haasan andRajinikanth, respectively, as did the success of the song "Why This Kolaveri Di?". The film opened in March 2012 to positive reviews, with Vishnupriya Bhandaram ofThe Hindu noting: "Shruti Hassan has come a long way", while L Romal M Singh ofDNA India stated that the first half of the film belongs to her.[43][44] The film only garnered average returns at the box office and she received her second Filmfare Best Actress – Tamil nomination. Her second release in 2012 wasHarish Shankar's Telugu filmGabbar Singh, a remake of the 2010 Hindi filmDabangg, featuring her oppositePawan Kalyan. She played the role of Bhagyalakshmi, a village girl. The film went on to become a major commercial success at the box office and brought in more film offers for Haasan.[45] Critics gave her performance a favourable verdict citing that she "justifies her role" and "though she didn't have much of a role, she has left her mark."[46][47] Haasan won her firstSIIMA Award for Best Actress – Telugu.[48]
With four releases in 2013, Haasan first appeared in the Telugu filmBalupu opposite,Ravi Teja, which eventually became a "super-hit", at the box office.[49][50] She received positive reviews for her performance, with a critic ofIdlebrain stating that she "provides the fun in the film with glamor and verve".[51] Later that year, she starred in two Hindi films,Prabhu Deva'sRamaiya Vastavaiya andNikkhil Advani'sD-Day.[52] For the former, she played a Punjabi girl Sona alongsideGirish Kumar.[53] In the latter, a spy thriller, she played Suraiya, a prostitute involved with a suspended army officer,Arjun Rampal. She also sang a song for the film, entitled "Alvida".[54] Reviewing the film forRediff.com, Palomi Sharma found Haasan to be "perfect as a Karachi prostitute with a haunting aura about her".[55] In her final release that year, Haasan played a social worker Ammulu, oppositeJr. NTR, in Telugu filmRamayya Vasthavayya. The film received an average response from critics.[56][57]
Haasan's first release of 2014, the Telugu filmYevadu, oppositeRam Charan, emerged as a major commercial success.[58] She played a college student Manju in the film.[59] Karthik Pasupulate stated, "Shruti looks pretty, but has little else to do."[60] In her second Telugu release of the year,Race Gurram, Haasan star oppositeAllu Arjun for the first time in her career and played Spandana, an emotionless girl.[61] The film emerged as a "blockbuster" success,[62] thehighest-grossing film of the year. She received positive reviews for her performance, with a critic ofDeccan Chronicle noting that she "plays her part well and looks glamorous". For her performance, Haasan earned theFilmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu and her second SIIMA Best Actress – Telugu.[63] She also had a Tamil release;Poojai, oppositeVishal, for which she also did costume designing and performed her firstitem number, in the Telugu filmAagadu, starringMahesh Babu andTamannaah.[64]
In 2015, Haasan performed her second item number in the Hindi filmTevar, featuringArjun Kapoor andSonakshi Sinha.[65] She went onto appear in five successful films through the year. Haasan first played a lawyer Shruti, in theHindi filmGabbar Is Back oppositeAkshay Kumar, which was a commercial success.[66][67] Srijana Mitra Das stated that she "charms" with her soft, pretty appeal.[68] She next played a rural development student Charuseela in the Telugu filmSrimanthudu oppositeMahesh Babu, which opened to positive critical reception and was a commercial success.[69] A critic ofThe Hindu opined, "Shruti seems to be getting better with each film and does her part with grace and earnestness, managing to hold her own in a film that worships the hero."[70][71] The film earned her third SIIMA Best Actress – Telugu alongside nomination for Filmfare Best Actress – Telugu.[72] Hassan then appeared inAnees Bazmee's Hindi filmWelcome Back, oppositeJohn Abraham, playing Ranjana.[73]Bollywood Hungama felt she played her part "decently".[74] It was another box office success.[75] She next appeared in two Tamil films. Haasan played Pavazhamalli inPuli, co-starringVijay, which was a box office success.[76] A critic ofHuffPost felt Haasan "overshadowed" Vijay, with her "just competent presence".[77][78] InVedalam, oppositeAjith Kumar, she played a lawyer, Shwetha. The film emerged as a commercial success.[79] Malini Mannath ofThe New Indian Express noted, "Shruti is adequate in the limited space given to her, but her character is sidelined when the sibling bonding makes its play."[80]
In her first film of 2016, Haasan appeared inRocky Handsome, opposite John Abraham for the second time.[81] Renuka Vyavahare stated, "Shruti Haasan looks pretty in her special appearance, adding life to the lovely song Rehnuma."[82] Haasan then played a Marathi-Tamil lecturer Sithara, in the Telugu filmPremam, oppositeNaga Chaitanya, a remake of theMalayalam filmof the same name.[83][84] A critic ofTimes of India stated: Shruti is graceful but seems to have done a wee bit lesser than her potential.[85]Premam became a commercial success.[86] Haasan played a journalist Vidya in the Tamil filmSi3, her first release of 2017, where she reunited with Suriya.[87] It was a box office success.[88] In her next Telugu film, she played a village girl Avantika inKatamarayudu, which marked her second film withPawan Kalyan. A remake of the Tamil filmVeeram, it was a box office failure.[89] Deepu Joseph ofThe Times of India noted, "Shruti looks beautiful and carries off her village belle avatar decently."[90] In her final film of the year, she appeared inBehen Hogi Teri oppositeRajkummar Rao, playing a spunky girl, Binny.[91] Rachit Gupta ofFilmfare said, "Shruti Hassan looks beautiful as ever, but her role lets her down."[92]
In 2018, Haasan hosted the Tamil talk show,Hello Sago, that premiered onViu.[93] She then made her American television debut withTreadstone, portraying Nira Patel.[94][95][96] Following a three years of hiatus in Indian films, Hassan returned in 2020 with the short filmDevi, where she played a rape victim, the film received critical acclaim.[97] It depicts nine women forced into a sisterhood due to circumstance in which they are compelled to share their stories of abuse.[98]Hindustan Times stated, "Shruti Haasan is a glam diva who sparingly speaks. She, Kajol andNeha Dhupia lead the spirited group of women."[99] She followed it up withYaara oppositeVidyut Jammwal, playing a politically active student.[100] Later the year, she appeared inAmazon Prime's anthology filmPutham Pudhu Kaalai, in which she appeared in the segmentCoffee, anyone?[101]Sowmya Rajendran ofThe News Minute stated that Haasan's role is brief but she does well with what she's been given.[102]
Haasan had five releases in the year 2021. She first appeared as Kalyani, in the Telugu filmKrack, oppositeRavi Teja, reuniting after the 2013 filmBalupu.[103] It became a critical and commercial success at the box office. Janani K ofIndia Today noted, "Though Shruti vanishes a few minutes into the film, she takes everyone by surprise with her act in the second half."[104] She then reunited with Vidyut Jammwal in the Hindi filmThe Power.[105][106] Haasan played a kitchen worker in the TeluguNetflix's anthologyPitta Kathalu in the segmentxLife.[107] Later that year, she playedPawan Kalyan's wife in the Telugu filmVakeel Saab, which was commercially successful.[108] Haasan paired oppositeVijay Sethupathi in the Tamil filmLaabam, her final release that year.[109]
In 2022, Haasan made her Hindi web debut withBestseller, alongsideMithun Chakraborty andArjan Bajwa.[110] She played Meenu, who aspires to be a writer. The series received mixed to negative reviews from critics.[111] A critic ofTimes of India noted, "Shruti Haasan de-glams for Meetu Mathur and after a few initial moments of discomfort in front of the camera, her act picks up pace."[112]
In her only release of 2025, Haasan played Preethi, a daughter investigating her father's death inCoolie alongsideRajnikanth.[124][125] Janani K found it to be "one of her most impactful performances".[126]Hindustan Times's Abhimanyu Mathur stated, "Shruti has done well with the role she has, even matching Rajini in certain confrontational scenes."[127] The film emerged a commercial success and thefourth highest-grossing Tamil film of all time.[128] She will next appear in the Tamil filmTrain opposite Vijay Sethupathi,[129] and in the Telugu filmSalaar Part 2: Shouryanga Parvam opposite Prabhas.[130]
Haasan began her career as a music director with her father's productionUnnaipol Oruvan (2009) and has since formed her own music band. She won the Best Music Director award forUnnaipol Oruvan atEdison Awards.[134][135]Screen India said that she "has the makings of a good singer, and with some training she should go great guns."[136]
Haasan dated London-based actor Michael Corsale, ofItalian descent, with whom she broke up in 2019.[141][142] From 2020 to 2024, Haasan was in a relationship with visual artist, Santanu Hazarika.[143][144][145]
Haasan is associated with a lot of social causes. She has been associated with the RPG Foundation, an NGO committed to women's empowerment.[146] She was a part ofJulio Ribeiro campaign forJammu and Kashmir floods of 2014, where she donated a large sum for the cause.[147] For Bal Asha Trust,Mumbai, she organized an online clothes sale and promoted circular fashion.[148] In 2019, she attended a painting exhibition, to raise funds for children of Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children.[149] In 2014, she lent her voice for a digital campaign called TeachAIDS to spread AIDS awareness.[150]
Haasan made herCannes Film Festival appearance in 2017, where she also graced the red carpet for British authorNeil Gaiman.[151][152] She has ramp walked at theLakme Fashion Week and has beencover model for various magazines.[153][154] Haasan has performed at various film awards and other events. She has done music gigs in London.[155] She was signed as the brand ambassador forWWF India.[156] Haasan also conducted an online session on social topics such as mental health, women in films and media, and sustainability in fashion.[157][158]
Haasan is considered among the most popular actors ofTelugu cinema.[159][160] She is one of the highest paid actresses in South Indian cinema, according to various media reports.[161][162] Haasan has appeared inForbes India'sCelebrity 100 list. She debuted at 61st position with an estimated annual income of₹80.0 million (US$950,000).[163] In 2016, with an estimated annual income of₹69.0 million (US$820,000), she peaked at 46th position.[164] Haasan is among the highest-grossing actresses in Indian cinema.[165]
With her debut filmsAnaganaga O Dheerudu and7 Aum Arivu, critics stated that, "she shows promise.".[166] Her career marked a turning point with3.[167] She went onto achieve praises for her portrayals in mainstream Telugu and Tamil films, in particular forOh My Friend,Race Gurram,Srimanthudu,Premam andSi3. She has been termed, "fine performer", "graceful", "revelation" and "gorgeous" for her performances in these films.[168][169] She has often been cast opposite the same actors more than once, featuring in two or more films withPawan Kalyan,Suriya,Ravi Teja andSiddharth. She even proved to be the "lucky charm", for some of them.[170] Suresh Krishnamoorthy ofThe Hindu find her to be "down-to-earth and someone who conceals her not-so-ok Telugu with a dazzling smile".[171] Manjusha Radhakrishnan ofGulf News noted, "Haasan is one of the rare talents who don't take the star part of the celebrity too seriously."[172]GQ India finds Haasan to be "a talented actress, a gifted singer and one helluva looker".[173] While praising her music skills,Verve termed her a "multifaceted artiste".[174]
Haasan was placed first inRediff's "Top Tamil Actresses" list.[175] She was also placed 4th in its "Hottest South Indian actresses" list.[176] She stood at the 24th place onForbes India's most influential stars on Instagram in South cinema for the year 2021.[177] Haasan has frequently featured onHyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman andChennai Times Most Desirable Woman list.[178] She became Hyderabad's Most Desirable Woman in 2013 and 2020 and Chennai's Most Desirable Woman in 2013.[179][180] She is a celebrity endorser for brands and products such asLloyd,Emami Navratna Talc,Fossil watches and Kalamandir Jewellers.[181][182][183][184] As of 2025, she is one of the most-followed Telugu actresses onInstagram.[185] In 2024, she was placed 58th onIMDb's List of 100 Most Viewed Indian Stars.[186]
^Kollywood Entertainment (23 September 2014)."Shruti Hassan's noble gesture".Deccan Chronicle.Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved23 September 2019.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.svg)
