Akshara Haasan is garnering attention for her performance as ,which premiered on Waves OTT on July 17. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, the actor discusses being selective about her work, the pressure of being Kamal Haasan’s daughter, being pitted against sister Shruti Haasan, and much more.
Akshara Haasan on taking up Simulacra
Talking about what drew her to Simulacra, Akshara Haasan said, “It was something very different from what I had done in the past. It was a great opportunity for me because it was a great challenge to play multiple characters and still be true to the original main character of the film.”
The film explores a dystopian future where technology can erase memories, raising questions about identity, emotions and reality. Asked if there was anything from her own life she would like to erase, Akshara said she would choose not to erase anything. “No matter how painful or amazing an experience was, it helped me find that balance in a way where it made me a better person today, I’d like to think so. It has definitely helped me become a lot stronger, and the experiences have taught me some valuable lessons that I will carry with me always. So, there are no regrets.”
Akshara on advice from parents
For , acting was one of several creative pursuits she discovered while growing up. She credits her parents for exposing her to different forms of art and encouraging her to explore her interests without limiting herself to one field.
Sharing the advice she has received from her parents, Akshara said, “Be humble, work hard. Even if you choose to be whatever in your profession, be the best you can be.”
While being the daughter of and Sarika comes with its privileges, Akshara says she has also faced rejection and criticism along the way. “People assume that we get things easily, but we also get rejected. There are a lot of us who choose to earn that respect on our own. I’ve done it on my own so far, and I know my parents are there if I need help. I’ve been told mean things as well, but I cannot stop anyone from having their opinions.”
Akshara on pitted against sister Shruti and pressure of legacy
Akshara acknowledges that people may have tried to pit her against her sister , while the expectations of carrying forward her family’s legacy could have added to the pressure. However, she says their family has always stood by each other. “Maybe outside people did try to pit us against each other, but we as a family have each other’s back. Therefore, we didn’t really feel the pressure. If at home, you’re allowed to be the best version of yourself, then the rest of it somehow ends up becoming noise after a while.”