With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in India earlier this year, any and every kind of community experiences were restricted in the country. Even before the nationwide lockdown was announced in late March, cinema halls were shut down and public gatherings were strictly prohibited. Like many other sectors, the movies and music industry also took a hit. It was time to get innovative, and many opted to integrate technology to give a virtual community experience when it came to entertainment. While the lockdown was being lifted in phases in the latter half of the year, public gatherings were still not advisable. Several musicians and other artists who do live shows opted to do virtual shows. Actor and singer Shruti Haasan who wrote her single ‘Edge’ during the lockdown performed it live for the first time at the NH7 Weekender’s virtual concert. She also sang some of her other new songs which are yet to release on any platform.
Talking to Bollywood Hungama about her experience of doing a virtual concert, Shruti Haasan said, “It was amazing to be able to make music and play even during a situation like this. But there is no substitute for the energy of a live audience but I feel blessed to still be able to connect and play music.” When asked if she would like to do a virtual concert again, she said, “Of course I’d be happy doing as many gigs as possible. I think a lot of people tuned in and that’s amazing.”
The music video of ‘Edge’ was released a few months back. Shot in monochrome, the song saw Shruti in her favourite colour- black. When asked about her love for the colour, which is her go-to colour during her concerts as well, she said, “Ever since I was a kid I find black powerful - I feel powerful when I wear that colour it’s really just that simple as well as the fact that I can spill food on it and it’s doesn’t stain so easy (she laughs).” Speaking about how her perspective towards music changed during the lockdown said, “It’s been a tough year that has filled me with love and gratitude and humility - how it’s affected my music is to push even further into authentic human emotion because it’s all about being real now.”
Though she is inclined towards thinking and singing in English, Haasan has grown up around Tamil cinema and was born and brought up in Chennai. Talking about the influence of South Indian music and culture in her music career, she said, “It’s had a massive impact without a doubt. I’m very proud of being Indian and South Indian as well. I place natural elements of my culture in my music because it’s inevitable and I avoid doing it in a more obvious way because there’s enough obvious ill-informed stereotypes that South Indians need to fend off within the country as is.”
Shruti made her acting debut with the Hindi film Luck. It has been over 10 years since the release of the film and she has been seen in several films since then, majorly in South Indian films. One glance at her filmography and we see that most of her projects have been commercial films. Talking about the same, she said, “It isn’t in my nature to look back and ponder over things that can’t be changed - I’m happy to be here and working that’s what counts and the growth is what I look forward to.” Meanwhile, Shruti Haasan will soon start shooting for Vakeel Saab, Telugu remake of the Hindi film Pink, starring Pawan Kalyan in the lead. This will be her third film with Pawan Kalyan. Sharing her excitement to work with Kalyan, Haasan said, “Yes! It’s exciting and I look forward to it. He's always been very calm and positive to work with.”
When asked about her plans for 2021 with respect to music she said, “Onwards and upwards!!! We all need that energy after such a rough year! So to be more authentic and face my truths and turn it into art.”
ALSO READ: Shruti Haasan says she realised her talent when she was in London where she was a nobody
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