Shruti Haasan: Hopefully, I don't have to do another song in snow wearing a saree

In Karan Johar's 2016 film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, there is a scene in which Anushka Sharma's character Alizeh expresses her desire to reprise actor Sridevi from the classic Bollywood song Tere Mere Hothon Pe. Like Sridevi's Chandni, Alizeh, decked up in a vibrant pink chiffon saree, gracefully sways in a picturesque snow-capped location. At the same time, Ranbir's Ayan character tumbles down and shivers terribly, albeit securing himself with layers of sweaters to keep him warm. Although Alizeh doesn't grumble after doing it, she is definitely not cold-blooded! And so are the other women actors.

Well, you may wonder why I am recalling this scene now. Recently, actor Shruti Haasan, who will be next seen in Waltair Veerayya, resonated with what Ayan felt, as she had a tough time shooting for Sridevi Chiranjeevi song in the freezing climate.

The song features Shruti in a lightweight-saree dancing in the background of the snow-clad location. In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Sruthi revealed that she did not enjoy filming the song. She added, "I do hope and completely be very honest that I don't have to do another song in the snow wearing a saree because physically it is so uncomfortable but I guess, people still want to see it and we will have to keep doing it. It is truly uncomfortable for a woman."

Meanwhile, women actors wearing flimsy sarees and short clothes without woollens for song sequences shot in cold places have been a template for many decades, especially in Bollywood. From Sharmila Tagore to Hema Malini, Asha Parekh and Shilpa Shetty have spoken about the ordeals of shooting in frosty weather.

Even in Tamil, we have seen actors like Ranjitha in Malare Mounama (Karna), Nagma in Malargale (Love Birds), Tamannaah in Thangame (Veeram), Trisha in Ennai Saaithaalae (Endrendrum Punnagai), Kajal Agarwal in Vennilave Tharayil (Thuppaki) Nayanthara in Yeno Yeno (Aadhavan), among several others, who have worn gossamer outfits and yet braved the freezing weather. However, as Shruti said, hopefully, there are no more such chilling uphill tasks for women actors.