Shruti Haasan on Kamal Haasan as Her Biggest Ally and What Psychology Says About Raising Independent Children

October 28, 2026 - 16:46

Shruti Haasan recently described her father, actor Kamal Haasan, as her biggest ally while growing up. In a conversation that touched on family and freedom, she spoke about what it meant to have a parent who supported her choices rather than dictated them. Her remarks have sparked discussion about a question many parents face: how do you raise a child who thinks for themselves?

Psychology research offers some useful answers. Studies on parenting styles consistently show that children raised with autonomy support, meaning parents who explain rules and respect a child's perspective, tend to develop stronger decision making skills and greater confidence. The goal is not to produce children who agree with everything a parent says. The goal is to produce adults who can evaluate situations and make sound judgments on their own.

That distinction matters. A child who simply obeys may look well behaved in the short term, but obedience is not the same as understanding. Children who are encouraged to ask questions, voice disagreement, and reason through problems are practicing the very skills they will need as adults. Research on adolescent development also suggests that warmth combined with clear expectations produces better outcomes than strict control alone.

Shruti Haasan's account of her father as an ally fits this model. Being an ally does not mean being permissive. It means being present, listening, and offering guidance without demanding conformity. For parents, the takeaway is simple: raising independent children is less about winning arguments and more about teaching them how to think.