Akshara Haasan’s parents’ split made her strong

Akshara Haasan was very young when her parents, actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika, separated but the actress says rather than breaking her down, their split made her stronger.

The 24-year-old actress is the younger daughter of the couple, who separated in 2002 and divorced two years later.

“When my parents separated, it made me stronger. I realised after a point of time that I can’t do anything [about it] because it was their life. I had to let them do what they wanted to do. Their happiness was more important,” Haasan said.

The actress is following her parents and elder sister Shruti into cinema, making her big screen debut with R Balki’s Shamitabh opposite Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush.

While working with an ad agency, she met Balki and felt she was ready to become an actress.

“When Balki sir gave me the synopsis and read the script, I was very sure about it and the fact that I will do it. After the narration ended I realised I was in love with the script. When Balki sir asked for my decision I told him ‘you know my answer’ but he still gave me two days to think about it,” she said.

“Mummy and papa are both versatile and one can learn so much from them. At the same time they are completely different in their skills. Both give their whole heart into it. Both are equally important to me. Their perspective is very different from each other. So, when it comes to taking tips I talk to both of them,” she said.

Haasan said that she shares a very special bond with Shruti, who has also lent her voice to a song in Shamitabh.

“We are very protective about each other. In our childhood I used to behave like her younger brother and protect her. And she used to protect me like an elder sister,” Haasan said.

When asked if she wants to work with her father and sister, she said it was too early to decide that but she will be more than happy to accept such a film offer.