An actor is never just what we see on the silver screen. Behind every character, every frame, and every emotion they shape lies a lifetime of stories. Haritha Mutharasan is one such artist. Beneath her poised performances live layers of pain, betrayal, silence, patience, endurance, and years of healing.

After a grave setback in high school, eerily similar to the tragedy Kittan faces in Bison, and an emotional breakdown in 2021, Haritha found an unexpected path forward. She turned inward, channeling her pain through sound, and discovered a new identity in sound healing. What began as personal recovery eventually transformed into a calling, leading her to become a sound healer herself.

Now, after her deeply impactful performance in Bison, Haritha sits down with us for an exclusive conversation, opening up about her journey, her healing, and the road ahead.

From a very young age, you have been drawn towards art. How did you end up at the doors of the cinema, becoming an actor?
When I completed my B.E. in computer science, I wanted to do anchoring, but I started with dubbing. When I realized that I was able to emote somebody else’s emotion, I thought, “Why don’t I try acting?” And now acting has become like a marriage to me; that is how I feel. So, I’ve been doing this for 8 years now with heart and soul.

Can you tell us about your childhood?
I was born in Chennai, but we moved to Cuddalore when I was 3years old. I did my schooling in St. Mary’s, a very beautiful traditional school. It’s one of my happy places down there, along with Anna Stadium. If not there, you can also spot me at SDAT, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. Also, I visit so many camps, especially Thiruvannamalai and Ooty. I used to run, race walk, and other track events. Starting from 100 meters, I have even completed a 21 km marathon. I don’t even know how many kilometres my legs have run until now. I love volleyball as well. It’s like a love that I wasn’t able to completely feel. It was my sincere love.
Apart from sports, I was also into drawing. When I sit down, I forget food and water. I just draw for hours. Two of my paintings are in the Museum of Possibilities, Chennai. My athletics, my volleyball, my drawing. My younger brother, I used to play with him. So, this is my childhood.

Regardless of the screen time, you played a pivotal role in Bison. In fact, your character broke the shackles for Kittan and helped him play nationals and eventually for the country? How close is this character to you at this point of your career?
I feel really very happy. More than the role, I am deeply connected to the film itself. There is a very personal story behind it. I am a national athlete too. I used to represent Tamil Nadu in athletics; I have done it at least 6 times and have won a medal too. As a parallel to the film, I have also seen another person taking up my spot at the Nationals.

Were you replaced, or were you not told about it?
At that time, I was in Cuddalore. I was replaced, and I was not told about my replacement.

That must have been hard for you then?
Yes, it was really hard. All these years, I have always been an athlete. Once an athlete always an athlete. I am an athlete forever. I operate from that space. Haritha is an athlete in her soul, who carries out various forms of art throughout her life. I felt very connected to Kittan. I was able to feel his character, and I could see a part of me in Kittan.

Mari Selvaraj sir said he would take every character in his film seriously. He would even act and show if necessary. What was your experience working with him?
He clearly conveys what he wants, you know, what he wants to create. I played a disabled person. Honestly, it wasn’t very difficult because I was just sitting in the wheelchair, and I didn’t have any movement. In terms of emotion, voice, and action, he gave me a lot of input. He managed to extract the best out of me. That’s how it worked.

Looking back at your journey, you have been constantly in pursuit. First art, music, athletics, and now cinema. What’s the fuel that’s driving you?
This is my nature. My heart speaks first, my mind follows, and together they shape the way I move through the world. I’m learning that this is my process, this is how this human being lives and operates.

Will you return to the track anytime soon?
Yes, when I am 35, I wish I could, and I am definitely trying my best, more than my best, to be on track, in cinema, and in sound healing.

Why at 35?
35 is the age category for masters in athletics. That is the reason.

Can you talk about your sound healing journey?
In 2021, during an emotional breakdown, the Kalimba became my lifeline. For a year, I carried it everywhere, along with my colours and sketchbooks. That healing journey later led me to Dapostar art and Reiki. Though I couldn’t continue Reiki fully, by 2023 I realised I was already a sound healer, it felt like a calling.

I spent countless hours researching instruments, working with luthiers across countries, and slowly built a collection of 25+ instruments, including a handpan. Recently, I was invited to the UK, where I offered 28 sound-healing sessions in three weeks. It was intense, transformative, and deeply emotional to connect with people through their tears and healing.

What began as therapy for myself has become something I now offer to others. I primarily work with Birth Wave by Dr. Santoshi Nandigam, along with several other individuals and centres.

Dinamalar quoted you as a storyteller. Can we expect you to wear the director’s hat or a screen writer’s in the future?
Not anytime soon, but maybe later for sure. I do so many things, and I feel things very deeply. This is where I have to talk about my friend, Geeta Kailasam. She is a very close friend of mine, and truly my storytelling guru. She’s the one who told me I could do this professionally, that I had a natural ease for communication. She taught me everything step by step.

Every human being has their own way of telling stories. Storytelling isn’t just about being on stage or posting something on social media. Everyone is a storyteller in their own life. Even the way you approached me for this Provoke Lifestyle interview has its own narrative.

So, when the time comes for me to write and direct, it all depends on that moment, on the stories I want to tell, and what I feel compelled to speak about.

What are your future projects?
I am currently working on Inspector Rishi 2 web series for Amazon Prime, directed by J S Nandini, who is an amazing creator and a very beautiful human being. Above all, I am eagerly expecting calls from all beautiful creators to team up and create wonderful magic.