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‘I am Pooja Ramachandran’: Shruti Haasan on growing up in the shadow of her father’s fame and moving to Mumbai

People would point at me and say, ‘Hey, that’s Kamal’s daughter’. If anyone asked me, I would say, ‘No, my father is Dr Ramachandran,’" Shruti Haasan added

"People would constantly ask me about him," said Shruti Haasan."People would constantly ask me about him," said Shruti Haasan. (Source: Instagram/Shruti Haasan)

Actor and musician Shruti Haasan has spoken about the complexities of growing up as the daughter of legendary actor Kamal Haasan, navigating both the weight of his fame and her parents’ stubbornness.

Speaking with Madan Gowri, Shruti said, “People would constantly ask me about him, it was like all the time. I would feel like, I am Shruti, I want my own identity. People would point at me and say, ‘Hey, that’s Kamal’s daughter’. If anyone asked me, I would say, ‘No, my father is Dr Ramachandran’; it was our dentist’s name. ‘And I am Pooja Ramachandran’, a name I made up.”

Describing her parents as “stubborn people,” she said they are also the ones who taught her resilience and independence but also inspired her to seek her path away from their legacy. “It’s not just that my dad is an actor or a famous person; I knew from childhood that he was different from anyone I met. I was brought up by two stubborn people and that rubbed off on me and my sister. I moved to Bombay when they separated. I never enjoyed being Shruti here. It’s difficult to separate from his fame when there are appa’s posters all over the place. Today, I don’t even want to imagine Shruti without Kamal Haasan,” she said. 

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This process — of finding autonomy and then later recognising the value of one’s family influence — is a common experience as young adults strive to establish themselves. For Shruti, these influences became part of her narrative, helping her make sense of her identity as she reconciled both independence and heritage.

What determines integration or rejection of family identity

Dr Arohi Vardhan, consultant, child and adolescent psychiatry at Cadabams Mindtalk, says, “Emerging adulthood, a term coined by Dr Jeffrey Arnett (American Psychologist, 2000), is a critical period for identity exploration and self-definition. This stage — typically ages 18 to 25 — is marked by increased independence and a reassessment of familial influence. From a neurological perspective, the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making, impulse control, and long-term planning, undergoes significant development during this time (Nature Neuroscience, 2019). This cognitive maturation allows individuals to critically evaluate family values and traditions.”

During this period, she adds, many individuals reject certain aspects of their family identity as part of establishing autonomy, a concept rooted in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development (Cambridge University Press, 1968). “However, as they encounter new experiences, they often integrate aspects of their upbringing into their evolving identity, a process known as ‘identity synthesis.’

Allowing young adults to make their own decisions fosters independence. Allowing young adults to make their own decisions fosters independence. (Source: Freepik)

Psychological mechanisms that drive the initial urge to distance oneself from family influence

The urge to distance oneself from family influence in young adulthood stems from several psychological mechanisms, says Dr Vardhan. These are:

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Autonomy Development: Autonomy-seeking is a natural developmental process during emerging adulthood. Studies from Harvard University (2016) show that individuals strive to differentiate themselves from their family to establish a unique identity. This involves questioning family norms and experimenting with new roles and values.

Social Identity Theory: Young adults often align themselves with peer groups or societal norms, temporarily diminishing the influence of family identity. This is driven by the need for social acceptance and belonging, as highlighted in research published in The Journal of Social Psychology (2015).

“Over time, the process evolves through cognitive reappraisal, where individuals reinterpret the role of family influence in their lives,” adds Dr Vardhan. 

How can parents best support their children’s need for individual identity formation?

“Allowing young adults to make their own decisions fosters independence. Research from Cambridge University (2020) shows that parents who respect their child’s autonomy report stronger relationships in the long term,” notes Dr Vardhan. 

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She adds that transparent, nonjudgmental dialogue creates a safe space for young adults to express their thoughts and values. “Studies in Family Relations (2019) found that open communication correlates with higher trust and mutual understanding.”


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