Coolie actress Shruti Haasan reveals four reasons why South stars stand out from Bollywood actors

Actor and musician Shruti Haasan is currently enjoying a career high, following the success of her latest film Coolie alongside superstar Rajinikanth, which has crossed the Rs 200 crore mark at the domestic box office. But even as she basks in this achievement, Shruti has been candid in recent interviews, talking about her experiences across different film industries, her personal journey, and the ongoing societal scrutiny that women in entertainment often face.

Having successfully carved a niche for herself in the Tamil and Telugu industries, Shruti briefly ventured into Bollywood. Films like Luck (2009), Ramaiya Vastavaiya (2013), and Behen Hogi Teri (2017) marked her presence in Hindi cinema, but her stint was relatively short-lived. Looking back at her time in Bollywood, Shruti admitted she’s still unsure why it didn’t fully take off. She told THR, "Sometimes I didn’t have the dates, sometimes I made wrong choices. But the Hindi film space is changing, especially with OTT, and I’m getting more projects that actually interest me.”

Different between South and Bollywood industry

Shruti also opened up about the cultural nuances between the southern and Hindi film industries. She pointed out that South Indian cinema maintains a deeper sense of humility, spirituality, and discipline, both on and off set. “In the South, even the biggest stars are deeply aware of how they conduct themselves. There’s a belief that if you don’t stay grounded, you’ll lose the blessings you’ve received,” she said.


Even though she grew up in a home where religion wasn’t a big part of daily life, she noticed small but meaningful rituals on South Indian film sets, like offering coconuts or keeping a deity’s photo nearby. She felt there was a quiet discipline and higher level of awareness in the way people behaved on set. Compared to her experience in Bollywood, the South seemed more rooted in tradition and respect for the art.

She also spoke about how her early experience in music taught her to value teamwork and humility. Instead of trying to stand out, she learned to simply do her part and let the overall art shine. Shruti mentioned that in South India, people often live simply, even if they are wealthy, which reflects a mindset that avoids showing off. For her, being an artist means being a channel for good stories and music, not just chasing fame. This grounded approach continues to guide her work and helps her stay focused on what really matters in her career.

"I found there to be a higher level of awareness and consciousness in the South, compared to when I worked in the Hindi film industry.”

Shruti Haasan opens up on plastic surgery remarks

Away from cinema, Shruti also spoke about personal freedom and the criticism that often follows women in the public eye. She addressed the backlash she faced for being open about undergoing cosmetic procedures, a topic that continues to carry stigma as people called her ‘plastic surgery ki dukaan’.

Despite the criticism, she remains unapologetic, standing by her choices as personal decisions, not something she promotes or expects others to follow. She believes that being honest often comes at a cost, especially for women in the public eye, but sees that price as worth paying. Whether in relationships, work, or life in general, she chooses to live on her own terms, staying true to herself even when others are quick to judge.