On International Women’s Day yesterday (March 08), conversations around empowerment often centre on rights, representation and opportunity. For Shruti Haasan, however, the starting point is more personal: recognising that your voice matters. The actress and musician speaks about discovering that confidence early in life, the evolving space for women in creative industries, and why feminism is often misunderstood.

She believes the ability to trust one’s voice often begins with overcoming self-doubt. She says, “We live in a time where there is so much overload of information that everyone doubts their abilities and true potential. But society does have a way of making women feel doubly unsure. At the same time, we are hearing more voices rising, with women becoming certain of who they are and how they look and finding the courage to stand against the system. I think I was around 17 or 18 when I realised that my voice matters, that I could use it and stand up for myself.”

Looking at how the space for women has shifted in cinema and music over the years, Shruti acknowledges that the industry has made visible strides, even as the larger goal of empowerment continues to evolve. She shares, “Representation has definitely been changing, and opportunities have been evolving. At the same time, I think the industry can work further towards empowering women.”

When asked what she would tell young women hoping to build careers in music or acting, she stresses that passion alone is rarely enough without persistence and direction. She says, “It’s challenging to build a career in fields like music and cinema for many reasons. But if you are passionate about something, in any field, it’s important to make a plan to pursue it. And it’s equally important to have the willpower to see it through.”

Shruti also feels that public conversations around feminism often lose nuance when the idea is presented selectively. “Feminism is misunderstood when it is wrongly represented or conveniently represented. It’s very important to understand the history of feminism, to be grateful for the rights we have today, and to remain conscious of what still needs to be done moving forward,” she concludes.