Akshara Haasan has opened up about an unconventional academic journey and her ambition to eventually become a film director. The younger daughter of actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika, Akshara revealed that she failed her Class 10 examinations three times before eventually leaving school.
Speaking candidly about her experiences in a podcast interview, Akshara did not shy away from discussing the difficulties she faced during her school years. Her comments offer a glimpse into a side of her life that is rarely discussed publicly, particularly in an industry where children of established stars are often assumed to have an easier path.
Akshara Haasan Says She Failed Class 10 Three Times
Akshara admitted that academics were not her strength during her school years. According to her account, she attempted her Class 10 examinations three times but was unable to clear them.
She eventually decided to leave school after realising that continuing along the same academic path was not working for her.
Rather than presenting the experience as something to hide, Akshara has spoken about it openly, highlighting that professional success does not always follow a conventional educational route.
Her candid admission has attracted attention because celebrities generally tend to discuss their achievements rather than academic setbacks.
She Didn’t Immediately Choose Acting
Despite being born into one of India’s best-known film families, Akshara did not initially set out to become an actress.
She first explored filmmaking behind the camera and reportedly began by choreographing music videos for friends. She subsequently became interested in direction and worked in the assistant director’s department.
Her early experience included work on projects such as Society and Sabash Naidu.
That background helped her understand filmmaking from a perspective beyond acting before she eventually decided to appear in front of the camera.
Akshara Made Her Acting Debut With Shamitabh
Akshara made her acting debut in R. Balki’s Shamitabh, which also starred Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush.
The film marked her transition into acting, but Akshara has continued to maintain that direction remains a major ambition for her.
Her decision to act was therefore not necessarily the result of growing up in a family of actors. Instead, she has described filmmaking as an area in which she wants to explore different creative roles.
“I Want to Direct a Film”
Akshara has made it clear that she hopes to direct a feature film in the future.
Her previous experience in the direction department gave her an opportunity to learn how productions operate behind the camera. For someone who has grown up around filmmaking, the move towards direction also represents a return to an interest she explored before becoming an actor.
While acting has become an important part of her career, direction remains one of her stated long-term goals.
Kamal Haasan and Sarika Never Forced Their Daughters Into Acting
Akshara also addressed the expectations that can come with being the daughter of two accomplished performers.
Both Kamal Haasan and Sarika have had major careers in Indian cinema, but Akshara said that her parents did not force her or her elder sister, Shruti Haasan, to follow them into acting.
Instead, the sisters were given the freedom to choose their own professional paths.
For Akshara, that freedom meant there was less pressure to prove herself simply because of her family background.
Honest Feedback From Her Family
Akshara also spoke about how her family responds to her work.
Rather than receiving only praise at home, she said that family members are willing to point out mistakes directly. According to her, this kind of honest criticism can be more useful than compliments from people outside the family.
The approach has helped her view criticism as part of the learning process rather than something to avoid.
Growing up in a family with extensive experience in filmmaking has also meant that Akshara has had access to people who can assess performances and creative decisions from a professional perspective.
A Different Journey for a Star Kid
Akshara Haasan’s story challenges the assumption that every child of a successful actor automatically follows a straightforward path into cinema.
Her journey has included academic setbacks, work behind the camera, an acting debut and a continuing interest in direction. Rather than limiting herself to one profession, she appears keen to explore different aspects of filmmaking.
For now, acting remains part of her career, but her long-term ambition is clear: Akshara wants to sit in the director’s chair and make a film of her own.
