Showing posts with label Hansika Motwani interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hansika Motwani interview. Show all posts
I don’t feel the need to explain everything about me-Hansika Motwani
2:33 PM
Divya Shree (BOMBAY TIMES; April 28, 2026)
Hansika Motwanni has spent more than half her life in the public gaze, evolving from a child artiste at 8 to a leading lady by the time she was sixteen. But recently, that gaze has turned into a glare. Over the last six months, the actor has navigated a whirlwind of controversies — from a high-profile divorce to a messy legal battle and a subsequent defamation suit. Yet, in the face of the firestorm, Hansika appears largely unfazed, choosing to focus on work and what she calls her “sacred space.” Currently shooting for an untitled Telugu project with Nara Rohith, Hansika speaks to Hyderabad Times about navigating scrutiny, trusting her inner circle, and stepping into a new phase, both personally and professionally.
The past few months have put your personal life under intense public scrutiny. How do you deal with the constant chatter?
I don’t really take negativity or trolling to heart. Over the years, I’ve become quite thick-skinned, so these things don’t affect me as much as people might assume. What truly matters to me is that my mom, my family, and I know who I am. That’s the only reality I hold on to. I’ve always believed that my personal life should remain personal, and I’ve maintained that boundary very strongly. I don’t allow just anyone into my space, and I’m quite clear about that. If conversations are happening around me, I usually choose not to engage unless I personally feel it’s something I want to address. Otherwise, I let my work speak for itself and focus on what keeps me at peace.
In the midst of all this, your surname was changed to ‘Motwanni’. Was that a conscious move towards a fresh start?
Honestly, it was a very simple and personal decision. My mother came to me and said she wanted to make a small change by adding an extra ‘n’. For me, the only thing that mattered was that the spelling of “Hansika” stayed the same. I’ve always felt that name is perfect as it is. Beyond that, I didn’t feel the need to question or analyze it too much. I trust my mom completely; I’ve always been very close to her and I know she only wants the best for me. She felt it was a positive change, and I went along with it. For me, it wasn’t about overthinking or attaching too much meaning. It’s just something that felt right for her, and I was happy to go with it. At the end of the day, I was happy before, and I’m still happy now.
You’ve often spoken about the role your friends play in your life. How do they help you stay grounded?
My friends, especially my girlfriends, are a very important part of my life. Most of them are people I’ve known since childhood, and that makes a big difference because they’ve seen me long before any of this, before the films, before the attention. That kind of connection keeps you grounded. No matter how much noise there is around you, they remind you of who you really are. Every Sunday, we try to do something fun, sometimes it’s a sport, sometimes it’s just catching up. We also travel together at least a couple of times a year. It’s always the same close-knit group, and that consistency is comforting. In a life where so much is constantly changing, they are my constant.
You’ve grown up in the spotlight, starting as a child artiste and then making your debut as a lead at only 16 in Desamudru. How has that shaped you?
Growing up in the public eye has been a very unique experience. That kind of exposure teaches you a lot, very early on. I experienced the industry at a time when things were very different, before social media became such a big part of our lives, so a lot of my learning came from observing people, reading, and just being present on set. In many ways, I feel like I grew up faster than most people my age. Every set became a classroom for me, and every person I worked with taught me something. Of course, there are challenges that come with being in the spotlight from such a young age, but for me, the advantages have always outweighed the drawbacks. It’s given me a life full of experiences and learning that I truly value.
At this point in your career, what excites you most about the work you’re taking on?
I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. The kind of roles I’m being offered now are very different and more layered, which is something I really enjoy. I want to take on characters that challenge me and push me to explore new sides of myself as an actor. Over time, cinema has become much more content-driven, and that shift is something I appreciate because it allows actors to experiment and grow. For me, it’s about choosing roles that feel creatively fulfilling and help me evolve.
Your last Telugu film was 105 Minuttess in 2024. How does it feel making a comeback to Tollywood two years later?
Coming back to Telugu cinema now feels like a natural progression. I’m currently shooting for my film with Nara Rohith, and it’s an exciting space for me. It feels like I’m stepping into a new phase while still being connected to where it all started. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with the audience here through new stories and exploring this next chapter.
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My mother has always been there for me, mentally and emotionally... I’ve always believed that my personal life should remain personal, and I’ve maintained that boundary very strongly. I prefer to focus on what keeps me at peace
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Hyderabad is very close to me because that’s where I began my journey as a heroine with Desamuduru. Every time I come back, it feels like coming home. The city is warm, welcoming, and easy to navigate. I’ve always felt a strong connection with the Telugu industry, and being here just feels right
I am all about full saj sanwar ke vibing with the festivities on Baisakhi-Hansika Motwani
11:24 PM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 13, 2024)
What strikes us the most as we step into Hansika Motwani’s home is the abundance of cultural and spiritual elements. From little evil eye wall hangings to idols of Lord Ganesha and Guru Nanak, and the chant of Ek Onkar reverberating through the hall, the atmosphere has a calming vibe. The actress welcomes us, radiating in a turmeric yellow Punjabi suit adorned with zari-details, all set to usher in Baisakhi.
It’s while we marvel at all the numerous markers of faith around her home, she tells us about her most prized possession: the Guru Granth Sahib. The reverence on her face is palpable as she explains to us how the Granth has been passed on to her family, and how it forms the central crux of the Baisakhi celebrations. She explains, “I have had the Granth in my home for seven years now, and we feel very blessed. Baisakhi for us is marked by a paath, visiting the gurudwara and then the entire family getting together to enjoy scrumptious food and aate ka halwa prepared by me.”
Raised by her Punjabi mother, Hansika believes she has got the best of both the Sindhi and the Punjabi worlds. However, she confesses that it’s the Punjaban in her that’s out there for everybody to see. “My faith is deeply rooted in Punjabi culture and traditions,” she tells us, adding, “Infact, I had vowed to visit the Golden Temple within a year of my wedding. So, I went to the Golden Temple sometime in October or November last year. That’s the way I stay connected to my faith.”
This year, it’s Hansika’s second Baisakhi after her marriage (she married Sohael Khaturiya in December 2022). It’s going to be a big family affair, with the actress taking on the responsibility of preparing the halwa prasad.
She shares, “For us, festivals are all about the family coming together. The celebrations will take place at my mom’s, and before that, we will do the paath and visit the Gurudwara. In our family, on most such big occasions, I generally make the aate ka halwa and serve it in the Gurudwara. This is because my mom is very religious, and she believes it’s auspicious for me to prepare the prasad. Also, it’s everyone’s favourite.”
And what about dressing up to celebrate, we ask her. “Oh, I am a complete Punjaban when it comes to dressing up!” she exclaims. “I love wearing Punjabi salwar kameezes. My mother used to love wearing Patiala. So, till today, whenever I go to Amritsar, I make sure to buy authentic Patiala suits for us. The only thing I can’t do is tie my own paranda. But dressing up is a big part of celebrating Baisakhi, and I am all about donning the big jhumkas, the tassels, the paranda… basically, full saj sanwar ke vibing with the festivities,” she gushes.
I started my career before social media, so I’ve never experienced trolling when I was younger-Hansika Motwani
8:31 AM
Neeshita Nyayapati (HYDERABAD TIMES; August 24, 2022)
She may have been flying below the radar for the past couple of years, but Hansika Motwani is busier than she’s ever been. The actress has not one or two, but nine films lined up this year. “I feel blessed to have such good work and diverse roles coming my way at this stage of my career. I like keeping myself busy, being kept on my toes all the time and trying out new challenges. I’m doing exactly that this year,” shares Hansika.
Her upcoming Telugu film My Name Is Shruti has gotten Hansika excited. “It’s a thriller that explores a phenomenon called ‘skin trafficking’. I had heard of human trafficking before, but I never knew such a thing existed till I heard the narration. It’s the kind of film that made me want to know more on the subject even as I was shooting. I’m glad I did something as unique as this,” she says.
Challenging herself to pick scripts that requires her to get out of her comfort zone has always been her motto, says the actress. “So, when I got the chance to shoot for a single take film called 105 Minutes, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Given how I’ve been acting since childhood, I thought it would be easy, but it took me 20 days to do the whole film in a single take,” she adds.
Although just 31, Hansika has been in the industry for nearly two decades, having made her debut as a child artiste in 2003. “People tell me that I’ve not had a normal childhood since I was on the sets all the time. Even as I grew up, I kept doing films. I was barely sixteen when I was cast for Desamuduru. But acting is something I’ve always been passionate about. It’s not just ‘work’ for me; it’s something that gives me unmitigated joy,” she says.
Having been in the industry for so many years helped Hansika develop a thicker skin while dealing with trolls or negative comments on social media. “I always knew that you have to look a certain way to have a successful career in showbiz. But I love staying fit and looking after myself, so I don’t feel the pressure at all. I started my career before the age of social media, so I’ve never experienced trolling when I was younger. Now, I just follow the same process that I have for so many years. So, I’m pretty much immune to trolls,” she explains.
With five projects and one series in Tamil apart from one in Telugu, the actress is confident that the audience will get to see a whole new side of her in each project. “I’m a greedy actor so whatever medium or role I get to entertain the audience, I will take it. But more than my role, I know that if I’m asking the audience to come to the theatres, the film as a whole has to be engaging,” she says, adding, “I’ve seen both films and television evolve as I progressed in my career. Things have changed so much; the scripts have gotten better. The way roles are written for women not just in women-centric films but also in commercial cinema has changed, so we’re heading in the right direction. I can’t wait for the audience to see a new version of me on screen.”
The concept of regional movies exists only in India-Hansika Motwani
8:19 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 5, 2022)
Actor Hansika Motwani feels the regional films tag only widens the gap between the diverse content being churned out in the Indian entertainment industry. “I have observed that the concept of ‘regional’ movies exists only in our country, the world always perceives our work as ‘Indian movies’. Now, especially after the remarkable feat of certain movies from the South, the scenario has changed completely. The pan-India culture encapsulating the collaboration of actors and technicians across the country has opened up a new market,” Motwani says.
The 30-year-old points out the trend of remakes to show how content always bridged the gap between regions. “Even before this culture (of pan-India films) popped up, there has always been a mutual exchange among the regional industries through remakes. When an idea, concept or story gets a phenomenal response, it eventually gets a remake. Today, it’s nice to see that people have started accepting the movies from every region. It’s a good sign, as it escalates the stature of Indian cinema on the global map,” mentions the actor, who actively works in Tamil as well as Telugu movies.
From Hindi projects such as Shaka Laka Boom Boom and Koi... Mil Gaya (2003), and Tamil movies such as Engeyum Kadhal (2011) and Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (2012) to Telugu projects such as Luckunnodu and Goutham Nanda (both 2017), the transition from Hindi to other languages was smooth for Motwani.
“Every industry, be it Hindi or other regional domains, has always given support and respect to female actors. I have always experienced so much respect, love and support from every industry. From being a child artiste to female lead, I haven’t experienced any stereotypes or prejudices,” the actor concludes.
Puneeth Rajkumar’s death is a personal loss for me-Hansika Motwani
8:01 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 1, 2021)
Actor Hansika Motwani starred opposite late actor Puneeth Rajkumar in Bindaas (2008), her first Kannada film. Shocked by the superstar’s untimely death, she says, “I still refuse to process that Puneeth is no more. It’s a big loss for the industry and for me, personally, as he was a friend. What makes it even more tragic and terrible is that he was only 46.”
Looking back at the time when she shot with him, Motwani shares, “I was just 19. I remember how polite and humble he was. I was so new and had no idea about the industry. Even though he was a superstar, he and made me feel comfortable. Since I was so young, he would always look out for me.”
The actor, who marked her debut as a child artiste in Hawa (2003), says that working in separate film industries didn’t let them catch up as often. But they stayed in touch over social media: “Every time we met, we always picked up from where we left. The last time I met him was at an awards function.”
Following Rajkumar’s demise, all film shows in the state have been cancelled. “The Kannada film industry has come to a halt. I couldn’t get through anyone in his family. It’s heart-breaking to even think of the way forward,” says the 30-year-old.
So, how has she been inspired by him? “He used to tell me to just follow my heart and that things would eventually fall in place. He would speak less and smile more,” Motwani ends.
I can pose in a bikini for a film shoot, but leaking my private pics a breach of privacy-Hansika Motwani
8:29 AM
Suhas Yellapantula (BOMBAY TIMES; January 30, 2019)
After Amy Jackson and Akshara Haasan, Hansika Motwani is the latest actress whose private data has been leaked online by hackers. For the last few days, social media has been abuzz with ‘leaked’ selfies of Hansika clad in lingerie, and stills of her posing on a yatch wearing a bikini. Some of these pictures were shared online from Hansika’s personal microblog. The actress took to Twitter to clarify that her mobile phone and her Twitter account has been hacked. “Phone n Twitter hacked please don’t respond to any random messages. My back end team is working on getting things in control,” she posted. Even as a group of experts are working to restore her Twitter account and taking down her leaked pictures from social media, Hansika spoke to us about her ordeal and why the response by online trolls has come as a brutal shock. Excerpts:When did you discover that your Twitter account and phone were hacked?
I noticed that something was wrong with my phone ever since I went to the United States a few weeks ago. But it came as a huge shock to me when I realised that my private information and pictures have been leaked into the public domain. These pictures were taken four years ago and some of them have been smartly morphed by the hackers. I soon figured that my Twitter account has also been hacked and alerted my technical team to deal with it.
A lot of trolls have slut-shamed you on social media after these pictures were leaked. What was it like to deal with the backlash?
It was extremely disheartening. To deal with the embarrassment of your private pictures being leaked (some of them morphed) into the public domain is bad enough, and then to see such comments was really hurtful. Certain people had the gall to say that since I anyway did bikini shoots in the past, what’s the big deal if such pictures are leaked? Well, it is a big deal. Firstly, some of the pictures are morphed, which means they are not exactly my pictures. And secondly, when I do a bikini shoot for a film or a magazine shoot, I’m doing it out of my own choice. Here, it is being circulated without my consent, so there’s a big difference between the two. What has happened here is a clear violation of my privacy. This is the price I have to pay for being a public figure I suppose. Fortunately, there has also been a wave of support for me from various quarters. My fans and well wishers started the #IStandByHansika to support me and it definitely helped to know that some people stood by me.
What do you have to say to your detractors who believe that this is all just a publicity stunt?
I don’t need to seek attention from anybody. Right through my career, I’ve kept a low profile and that reflects in how I conduct myself on social media as well. That’s just who I am as a person. So if someone sitting in the corner of their room wants to say that I’m doing this for attention, I don’t think that such people even deserve a response. I just feel sorry for them.
Are you planning to take legal action?
As of now, a team of 20 technicians are working to ensure my phone and account is stable and they are trying to find out who did this. As far as the hackers are concerned, I’m sure God will punish them for their deeds.
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Steps you need to take to prevent your account from getting hacked
- Don’t click on links sent to you by unknown, suspicious accounts Do not have your birthday or name or pet’s name as your password, ensure your password is difficult to crack
- Do not share personal details regarding education, address, etc on public profiles
- Don’t accept ‘friend requests’ from strangers
- Delete suspicious mails from your account immediately
- Delete all unwanted Apps from your mobile phone. Some Apps have an algorithm running in the background and can wipe out your data
- Make sure you read privacy settings carefully and follow them
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