Last week, Shruti Haasan was in for a rude shock on the sets of her upcoming film Laabam, when she and co-star Vijay Sethupathi were mobbed by a large group of fans, who somehow managed to enter the sets. Infuriated by the security lapse, the actress lashed out on social media in a post that seemed to be directed towards the production house for not having stricter measures in place. “COVID is a serious health risk everyone! The pandemic is not over! I, as a person and an actor, have the right to prioritise my safety and health if protocols are not followed! Just saying (sic),” she tweeted.

Speaking to us, the actress says it’s important for people to realise the implications of the pandemic and prioritise safety over everything else. “When we first started shooting post lockdown, there were thorough temperature checks, sanitisation, etc. But off late, people have become very lax. Coronavirus is not the common cold, so it must be treated seriously. Having said that, it is an individual responsibility to ensure we prioritize safety and create a conducive working environment,” says Shruti, adding, “There are people who don’t wear masks properly, they just hang it below their nose or their chin. It’s frustrating when you see that.”

Despite the scare on the sets of Laabam, Shruti says that she will not stop doing movies. “I had a long break this year, so I’m not ready to go into another lockdown,” she says.

She adds, “I will continue to take safety precautions and keep working. I have a number of films lined up. Shooting for my film Krack is almost done and once that is wrapped up, I will start shoot for Vakeel Saab with Pawan Kalyan. These are exciting projects and I can’t wait to get started.”

Shruti will be returning to Telugu cinema after a three-year-gap with Ravi Teja-starrer Krack and says the film will show her an exciting new avatar. “It’s a total massy family entertainer. I play Ravi Teja’s wife in it and I’m also a mother. It’s an interesting role and I look forward to seeing how it’s received,” says Shruti.

Shruti has spent most part of 2020 alone and says that she will take her learnings from the experience as she looks forward to the new year. “I’ve learnt a lot this year by living alone. I have a lot more clarity of thought. I’ve been able to dedicate a lot more time for my music and hopefully, I have evolved as a musician, too. I hope to carry the same momentum into 2021. I want to start the year with positivity, the same clarity of thought and of course, lots of music,” says Shruti, signing off.