Film industry is safe for women, says Shruti Haasan

Actress Shruti Haasan, who is currently in the US along with her dad Kamal Haasan to participate in the Indian Independence Day celebrations there, has defended the both the film industry and the country, saying that they are safe for women.

Shruti said, “I believe that there is safety for women in cinema. It’s been 10 years from the time I got introduced in films. Till now, all the films that I have been a part off are films that were chosen by me. This 10-year period in the film industry has been a good one. I will continue to act only in films and in characters that I like.”

Shruti went on to add that she believed that women were safe not only in the film industry but also in India.

“I get the respect I deserve. All those I have met in the film indsutry have been good individuals,” she said.

Her statement assumes significance as it comes at a time when feminists in India and abroad have been portraying India as a dangerous place for women. Only a few weeks ago, squash player Ambre Allinckx from Switzerland, pulled out of the World Junior Squash Championships that was being held in Chennai, saying her parents, who, after reading reports on the Internet about how “unsafe” India was for women, didn’t want to take the risk of sending her over. There were also reports that US, Australia and Iran had raised safety concerns.

When asked about her religious beliefs, she said, “My dad and I have different views on religious beliefs. As far as I am concerned, I am someone who believes that there is a spiritual power. But if you ask me whether it is to be found in temples, churches or mosques, I do not have a direct answer to that question. I believe everything.”

Commenting on her film projects, Shruti said that she was currently working on a Hindi film that was being directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. “Work on Sabaash Naidu, in which I work with my dad, will soon begin,” the actress signed off.