Seven films, a star boyfriend and a spanking new figure - Hansika Motwani is clearly on a roll. Venkat Prabhu’s ‘Biryani’ with Karthi is her next big release, which will be followed by other films in Tamil and Telugu. It took the actress just three years (debut in 2010) to make it to the most-wanted list of all the top Tamil film directors. Hits like ‘Velayudham’, ‘Oru Kal Oru Kannadi’ and ‘Singam II’ helped, of course. Besides being involved in philanthropic activities, like sponsoring children, Motwani, 22, was recently featured in Forbes’ Most Influential Celebrities nominees’ list (2013) amid the likes of Shah Rukh Khan. More from her:
I play a journalist in ‘Biryani’. Everybody knows I am a director’s baby and I did exactly what Venkat Prabhu asked me to do. I have eight projects this year, including the remake of ‘Ishq’ (1997).
I have been working since I was nine years. The shelf life of an Indian actress is rather short. There will be a time when I have to bid adieu to this industry, but till then I don’t think there is anything wrong with being ambitious.
I listen to almost five scripts every day. But I do roles that suit me. I might have gone wrong many times in the past and I know I will still make mistakes, but there is no point in sulking. I will sign another movie and just move on.
The industry is very accommodating. There is no rivalry between me or Anushka or Tammanna. I compete with myself and if a script is written for you, it will come to you. I have worked in Bollywood, Tamil and Telugu films, and being a child actor helped me figure out the right from the wrong.
I do not have a personal life. There is far too much pressure on my professional life. Simbu (actor Silambarasan) knows how busy I am. I am a career oriented person and marriage is definitely not on my list right now. Besides, who gets married at 22?
Yes, I was overweight. Snide remarks about my weight have never bothered me. Whether I was thin or fat, movies never stopped coming.
I don’t use glycerine to cry. Suriya once said in an interview, “Hansika is like a switch. You just need to switch her on and off.” That’s the biggest compliment I have ever got. Even when I was working on ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’, people used to call me ‘amma’ because I would just act without any instructions. Arya would tell me that I can cry and laugh at the same time.