Actor and singer Shruti Haasan has once again sparked a conversation after speaking openly about periods, workplace experiences and the way women are expected to deal with menstrual pain while continuing with their professional commitments.
During a recent podcast conversation with Soha Ali Khan, Shruti spoke about a misconception surrounding periods and explained why she has often wished men could understand what women go through during menstruation.
While discussing the topic, Shruti said, “There is only one solution to this. I pray about it a thousand times — that men get periods and then we have a period holiday written into our contract.”
Her comment was clearly made while talking about the difficulties women can face at work during their periods. She also recalled an incident from her professional life when she had to tell a director that she was menstruating.
Shruti explained that one of her co-stars had undergone surgery, and the team was willing to adjust the work schedule around the actor’s recovery. She then questioned why women should not also be given similar understanding when they are dealing with period-related pain or discomfort.
The actor recalled the first time she told a director that she was on her period. According to Shruti, the director had a daughter and immediately understood what she meant. She said his response changed the way she looked at the situation because he appeared to understand that menstrual pain is a genuine physical experience and not simply an excuse to avoid work.
However, Shruti’s comments have now triggered criticism on social media. Some people interpreted her remarks as unfair towards men, while others questioned why men should be treated as responsible for an experience that only women go through.
At the same time, many people have defended Shruti, saying that her larger point was about empathy and understanding in the workplace. Her comments were not necessarily about giving women special treatment, but about acknowledging that periods can involve pain, discomfort, mood changes and physical exhaustion.
The debate also raises a bigger question about how society discusses menstruation. Women have traditionally been expected to continue working normally even when they are dealing with severe period pain. At the same time, conversations about menstrual leave remain controversial, with people having different views about whether it creates support for women or could unintentionally lead to discrimination at work.
Shruti has always been someone who speaks openly about her thoughts, and this podcast is another example of her willingness to discuss topics that many people still find uncomfortable.
Whether people agree with her wording or not, her comments have started an important conversation about empathy, workplace flexibility and how menstruation is understood.
The question is not simply whether Shruti Haasan was right or wrong. It is also about whether women should be able to openly talk about periods and ask for reasonable understanding without being immediately judged or trolled.
At the end of the day, sharing an opinion on social media or in a podcast does not mean everyone has to agree with it. But disagreement can also happen without turning into personal attacks. Shruti expressed her perspective, and the ongoing debate shows how differently people view menstruation, workplace expectations and the idea of equality.
