Shriya Saran on 25 years in films: A woman's work is always questioned

Shriya Saran opened up about the constant pressure on women to prove themselves, the anxiety that comes with the creative process, and the need for strong support systems.

Actor Shriya Saran, who has completed 25 years in the industry, spoke to India Today about the invisible pressures women continue to face, the anxiety that accompanies the creative process, and why constant reinvention has become her biggest strength.

Despite completing 25 years in the industry, Shriya Saran said the need to prove herself never really goes away. “Absolutely — every single day,” she said, when asked if her recent work made her reflect on moments where she had to prove herself beyond talent. “Because when a woman is a go-getter, the questions are always different. There’s always, who’s taking care of the child? Or how is she going to balance her work?”

She pointed out how the same commitment is viewed differently based on gender. “When a man gives 20 hours a day to work, there’s always someone to support him. When a woman does that, it’s very hard to find a family or someone who will take care of everything else.”

Drawing from her own life, Saran stressed how essential support systems are. “I live with my parents, my husband, and me, because when I’m here, there’s someone taking care of my child. You need that support as a woman a lot more.”

She also reflected on how society views success and failure in science. “When a country achieves something, we easily say, We did it. And when there’s a failure, we say, We just wasted a lot of money. But as a scientist, the life you’re living is so intense.”

Saran doesn’t shy away from discussing her mental health and emotional vulnerabilities. “I get very stressed. I get emotionally unstable sometimes. I get a lot of anxiety,” she said candidly. “We shot the show last year, and had not seen it till the very end, which got me really anxious.”