Akshara Haasan was very young when her parents, actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika, separated but the actress says rather than breaking her down, the split made her stronger.

The 24-year-old actress is the younger daughter of the former couple, who separated in 2002 and divorced two years later.

“When my parents separated, it made me stronger. I realised after a point of time that I can’t do anything because it was their life… I had to let them do what they wanted to do. Their happiness was more important,” Akshara said.

The actress is following in the footsteps of her parents and elder sister Shruti in cinema. She will be making her big screen debut with R Balki’s ‘Shamitabh’ opposite Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush.

The youngster said she has taken cues from both her parents’ career.

“Mummy and papa are both versatile and one can learn so much from them. At the same time they are completely different in their skills. Both give their whole heart into it. Both are equally important to me. Their perspective is very different from each other. So, when it comes to taking tips I talk to both of them,” she said.

Akshara said that she shares a very special bond with Shruti, who has also lent her voice to a song in her debut film ‘Shamitabh‘, which hits theatres on February 6.

“We are very protective about each other. In our childhood I used to behave like her younger brother and protect her. And she used to protect me like an elder sister,” Akshara said.

When asked if she wants to work with her father and sister, she said it was too early to decide that but she will be mo re than happy to accept such a film offer.