Shruti Haasan has spoken candidly about one of the more personal challenges she has faced while working in the film industry. During a conversation with Soha Ali Khan on her podcast, the actress discussed painful periods, her experience with PCOS and the difficulty she initially faced in speaking about menstrual health on film sets.
In a candid moment, Shruti joked that she had prayed “a thousand times” for men to experience periods as well. Her reasoning was simple: if men went through the same physical discomfort, she felt that period-related leave might eventually become a normal part of professional contracts.
The conversation went beyond humour, however, as Shruti explained how painful periods had affected her while shooting and why being able to communicate openly about her health eventually made working conditions more accommodating.
Shruti Haasan’s ‘men should get periods’ comment
While discussing misconceptions around periods and hormones, Shruti said she had often wished men could experience menstruation themselves.
She explained that if men also went through periods, workplaces might be more likely to formally recognise the need for menstrual breaks or leave. The actress connected the thought to her own experiences of having to work while dealing with painful periods.
Soha Ali Khan joined in with a humorous response, suggesting that if men had periods, they might even start comparing their experiences with one another.
The exchange between the two actresses kept the conversation light, but Shruti's larger point was about understanding and accommodation in professional environments.
Shruti reveals her PCOS diagnosis
Shruti also revealed that she experiences painful periods because of PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
She explained that when she was beginning her career, she generally did not discuss her periods on film sets. According to the actress, the problem was not simply that menstruation was considered a taboo subject; in many situations, people did not even want to have a conversation about it.
As a result, Shruti said there were occasions when people around her would notice that she appeared different or that her energy levels were not the same, without knowing the reason behind the change.
Her experience eventually taught her that communicating about physical health could make professional relationships more understanding.
How one conversation changed things for Shruti
Shruti recalled an incident involving one of her co-stars that helped her understand the importance of speaking openly about her own health.
She said a co-star once mentioned having undergone knee surgery. The crew responded by taking the injury into account and adjusting the working arrangements accordingly.
That experience prompted Shruti to realise that the same understanding could be possible if she explained what she was going through during her periods.
She eventually spoke to a director about it. The director reportedly mentioned that his daughter also suffered from severe menstrual cramps.
Shruti said that conversation changed the atmosphere for her because the director could understand the situation from personal experience. It also encouraged her to be more open about her menstrual health rather than silently dealing with the discomfort.
‘It would be more collaborative’
Shruti explained that she was willing to continue working despite the discomfort, but believed the process could become easier when colleagues understood what she was experiencing.
Her point was not necessarily about avoiding work altogether. Instead, she wanted the people around her to have enough information to make reasonable adjustments when necessary.
The actress described this as making the work environment more collaborative. In her view, physical health issues can be handled more effectively when they are communicated rather than hidden.
Her comments also highlight how conversations about menstruation have gradually become more visible in workplaces, including the entertainment industry.
Shruti’s candid approach to health conversations
Shruti Haasan has increasingly spoken publicly about subjects related to her personal experiences. Her latest conversation with Soha Ali Khan touched on menstrual health and PCOS, while another part of the podcast reportedly focused on her thoughts about motherhood and concerns she had previously been told about conception.
The actress has said that she was told from a young age that PCOS could make conception difficult. She later described how a supportive gynaecologist helped her look at the issue differently and understand that there could be multiple possibilities when she eventually decides to become a mother.
Her comments on both subjects reflect a broader willingness to discuss aspects of women's health that are often not openly addressed.
Shruti Haasan’s upcoming projects
On the professional front, Shruti Haasan was last seen in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie, which featured Rajinikanth in the lead role. The film also had an ensemble cast including Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, Soubin Shahir and Sathyaraj.
The actress has several projects lined up. She will be seen in the Tamil film Train, directed by Mysskin and co-starring Vijay Sethupathi. She is also part of the Telugu project Aakasamlo Oka Tara, which stars Dulquer Salmaan and Satvika Veeravalli.
Shruti has also been associated with SS Rajamouli's upcoming film Varanasi, which stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. She has lent her voice to a song connected with the project.
For now, Shruti's candid comments about periods and PCOS have brought attention to the challenges she has faced while working, while also highlighting the importance she places on open communication about women's health.
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