Aksharaa Haasan has opened up about being compared with her sister Shruti Haasan and the expectations that come with being part of the Haasan family. The actor says her family’s support helped her look beyond outside comparisons and focus on building her own career.
Aksharaa Haasan is currently attracting attention for her role as Nivi in the science-fiction film Simulacra. Directed by Pankaj Sawant, the film explores a futuristic world in which technology can erase human memories.
For Aksharaa, the project comes at another stage in a career that has often been viewed through the lens of her family background. As the daughter of veteran actor Kamal Haasan and the younger sister of actor and singer Shruti Haasan, she has faced comparisons that she says came largely from outside.
However, Aksharaa believes those comparisons never became a major source of pressure within her family.
Aksharaa Haasan on comparisons with Shruti
In an interview with Mid-Day, Aksharaa acknowledged that some people may have tried to compare her professional journey with that of Shruti.
“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,” she said.
According to Aksharaa, the support she receives at home has helped her maintain perspective when faced with external opinions.
“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,” she added.
Rather than viewing her relationship with Shruti as competitive, Aksharaa said the family environment encouraged both sisters to follow their individual paths.
‘People assume that we get things easily’
Aksharaa also addressed the perception that being the daughter of Kamal Haasan automatically makes opportunities easier to obtain.
She said that, despite her family background, she has experienced rejection and has wanted to establish herself through her own work.
“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,” Aksharaa said.
She added that she has worked to build her career independently while knowing that her parents remain available whenever she needs their support.
“I’ve done it on my own so far, and I know my parents are there if I need help,” she said.
Aksharaa says she cannot control other people’s opinions
The actor also acknowledged that criticism and unpleasant comments have been part of her professional experience.
“I’ve been told mean things as well, but I cannot stop anyone from having their opinions,” she said.
Her comments reflect a broader approach to dealing with public scrutiny: focus on the work rather than allowing comparisons or criticism to dictate her choices.
Aksharaa also credited her parents with teaching her the importance of staying grounded and putting sincere effort into whatever career she chooses.
Aksharaa Haasan’s Simulacra journey
Aksharaa stars alongside Satyajeet Dubey in Simulacra, a science-fiction film directed by Pankaj Sawant.
The story explores the implications of technology capable of erasing human memories, placing its characters in a futuristic world where questions surrounding identity, memory and technology take centre stage.
The film is currently streaming on the Waves OTT platform.
With Simulacra, Aksharaa continues to carve out her own space in the industry while navigating the inevitable attention that comes with being part of one of Indian cinema’s best-known families.
For the actor, however, comparisons with her sister appear to have become less significant over time. With a supportive family behind her, Aksharaa says the outside noise matters far less than becoming the best version of herself.
