Akshara Haasan: I feared acting would not work out

'Some days I would feel disappointed, but not many people knew that I wanted to be an actress. I had to wait, and I would keep telling myself to stop complaining,' Akshara Haasan tells Patcy N/ Rediff.com

Akshara Haasan steps into the spotlight with her debut film, Shamitabh, starring some of the names in showbiz, Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush.

Daughter of Kamal Haasan and Sarika, Akshara is obviously very excited about the film.

She tells Patcy N/ Rediff.com why she took up the film, and why she took up acting.

Is it true you were offered a film to be directed by Mani Ratnam?

Yes, it is true. I didn’t do it was because I was not ready to be an actor then.

Mani sir was very understanding, and said that he would not force me.

At that time, I was focusing on dance.

I was also an assistant director and wanted to explore more.

Will Mani Ratnam be upset that you are working with R Balki?

I don’t think so. He had approached me in 2011.

When did you decide to get into acting?

I agreed to do the film because of the dancing.

I had to act in a few scenes too. I realised I loved it. I wondered why I had pushed it off for so long.

The switch was just turned on in my head.

As a dancer, you had a chance to go to the Ballroom Olympics 2012 but you didn’t go. Why?

Because it didn’t work out -- not just for me but for a lot of us, who were going for it. It was a team event. 

When did you start learning dancing? And why ballroom dancing?

In 1998 (she was eight years old then).

I grew up dancing. I wanted to explore a variety of dances. I love dance.

Did you ever think of becoming a choreographer?

Yes but it didn’t work out for me. I did not get a single offer, so I gave up.

What did you like about Shamitabh?

When Balki sir read out the script, I felt an instant connection to it, and my role. It's an amazing role.

Are you like the person you portray in the film?

No. Even then, I could connect with the script.

Balki sir is a genius. He comes up with something unique, fresh and different every single time. Being part of this project helped me to open up more and understand things in so many ways.

Mr Bachchan, Dhanush, Balki sir, PC sir (P C Sreeram, cinematographer) and Raja sir (Ilaiyaraaja, music composer) are all up there in their respective fields.

I got to work with them and learn from them.

Was it intimidating to work with Amitabh Bachchan?

In the beginning, I was really scared. What helped me was the preparation that Balki sir and I did before the film went on the floors.

It helped me calm down and focus on the scenes.

On the sets, Mr Bachchan made me feel very comfortable.

He is very calm; his behaviour makes you feel comfortable and I could focus on my work.

Dhanush is a superstar. How was he on the sets?

Yes, he is. I look up to him like I look up to Mr Bachchan because I have learnt so much from him as well.

He is a different kind of actor than Mr Bachchan. It has been a magical experience working with him.

What did you learn from them?

Their ability to perform spontaneously. Give them any scene to do and they will do it. They can take up any challenge. That is the biggest thing that I learnt.

Their hard work, discipline and focus are just incredible.

There is so much I can learn from them.

Balki is your mentor…

He is an incredible teacher. He has guided me through the entire film.

He was really patient. He never shouted. At the most he would say ‘Akshara, what are you doing’, in a caring way.

I had the freedom to go to him and tell him, ‘Sir, I am not getting this, what do I do?’

He gives you so much freedom to express myself and say things and that also helped me do better in a lot of ways.

Did your mum Sarika accompany you on the sets?

She came once, on the first day for a bit and then said that she wanted to give me some space and let me do my work my own way.

She had done the same with my sister Shruti.

Did you take acting tips from your mother or sister?

Yes, it was more with mom because I live with her. She's the first person I go to. She has guided me a lot through this film.

My sister just said, ‘Be yourself and people will like you for who you are. If they don’t, it is okay.’

Which is your favourite movie of your parents?

Parzania and Club 60. I like both the films for her performances.

It is hard to choose because every film she has done has been very nice and different.

Both my parents have a natural acting style. That’s what I like.

Where you nervous about how your father Kamal Haasan react to the Shamitabh trailer?

When you are showing your parents the trailer of your film, you do get nervous about their reactions. But I thought he is my dad at the end of the day.

My mother is proud and very happy. She is waiting for the film to release.

Was acting your natural calling?

No, I took it up because I wanted to act. 

A career in choreography and ballroom dancing did not work out, and I feared this wouldn’t either.

Some days I would feel disappointed, but not many people knew that I wanted to be an actress. I had to wait, and I would keep telling myself to stop complaining.

I told my mother that I wanted to be an actor but I told her not to approach anyone for me. I wanted to get a project on my own merit.

Balki sir did not know that I was interested in acting. He just took a chance and asked if I was interested in acting.

Has your life changed after becoming an actress?

Not really. I don’t do make-up every day; I can just walk out of the house without make-up.

But I will change a little bit because now I will be known to everybody.