Some films fail at the box office despite being well-made. Others succeed even with weak content. Sometimes, a film’s success depends more on timing than talent. This is exactly what actress Shruti Haasan believes happened with the 2012 film 3, in which she starred alongside Dhanush.
In a recent interview while promoting her upcoming film Coolie, Shruti spoke fondly about 3, directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth. Though the film was widely noticed for its viral song Why This Kolaveri Di, it did not perform well commercially. Shruti revealed that the film remains one of her favourites and said she worked extremely hard on it.
“I was heartbroken when the film didn’t do well,” she admitted. “But I still love it deeply.” She added that if 3 were released today, it would be a massive blockbuster. According to Shruti, the film’s content was stronger than people realised at the time, and the music, while popular, overshadowed the emotional depth of the story and performances.
She believes the film was simply ahead of its time and that today’s audience, which is more open to emotional storytelling and unique subjects, would appreciate it more fully.
Shruti’s comments highlight how cinema is often shaped by timing and audience expectations. While 3 may be remembered in the industry as a commercial failure, her words offer a new perspective—one that honours its storytelling and artistic value.
Whether or not the film would truly succeed today remains unknown, but it’s clear that for Shruti Haasan, 3 was more than just a role. It was a personal and meaningful experience that she still cherishes.
