Hansika: taking it nice & slow

south diva

A  child actor in Mumbai, she made her debut in the south film industry in 2007 at the age of 16. Today, bubbly Hansika Motwani or Hansu, as she is affectionately called, is one of the top female stars in South India.

The pretty actress, who is known for her philanthropy, has made her mark in Tamil and Telugu films, and is now set to enter the Malayalam film industry with none other than superstar Mohanlal.

In this exclusive chat with Deccan Herald, she talks about films, family, fitness and more:

Tell us about the first Malayalam film (starring Mohanlal and Vishal) you recently signed.

I have done a lot of films in Tamil and Telugu and this film was a surprise. Many Malayalam film projects came to me but unfortunately, I didn’t have time to do them. Now I had time and it was Mohanlal. I wouldn’t say that I signed it because it was a Malayalam film — for me, the script was phenomenal. When I heard the narration for this film, I was on the edge of my seat for 90 minutes. Even if I had just one scene in this film, I would have done it. That’s how good a script it is! The wait was worth it.

Will we see a different Hansika in this Unnikrishnan-directed film?

100%! The script is very unusual — it’s nothing like what I’ve done earlier. I can’t reveal much but it’s a film I am happy to be associated with.

Coming to ‘Bogan’, did you expect it to do so well?

I did. I am being modest. There’s an instinct you have as an actor and my gut feeling said that it would do well. Of course, I was nervous and stressed about the film but the hype Bogan had, I knew that people will go to the theatre at least once to watch it.

What’s happening with Telugu films?

I am doing a film with Gopichand which is being directed by Sampath Nandi. We have about 40% left to shoot.

What about Kannada films?

I had done a Kannada film way back in my career (Bindaas) and it did well. If I get something spectacular in Kannada, I would love to do it. As I said, even the Malayalam film I am doing is very different from what I have done earlier. For me, cinema has no barriers.

The year 2017 has started with a big hit for you.

Last year was also good with Aranmanai and now that Bogan is such a big hit, I need to choose my scripts very wisely. I can’t afford to make mistakes. I have signed a few films, but I am waiting for the production house to make the
announcement.

At this point, you are choosy about your scripts.

I’m just 25 now and I have a long innings to go. I am very thankful that I started my career early, I was appreciated and I have a lot of love from people. But I have a sense of responsibility right now because I can’t just give anything to my fans.

Last month, my mom was really upset with me because I said no to seven scripts. But it’s a conscious decision because I need to get the right script. I can’t just sign anything — I’m very choosy right now, but in a good way.

Your mom has been a strong supporting factor. Does she give you career advice?

All the films that I have done are films that I have chosen. My mom does say whether a script is good for me. For Aranmanai, I was very stressed about how I would play a village girl who takes on negative shades. I didn’t want to take on a negative role at that point in my career. But my mom and director Sundar C advised me that I should do it and it would be good for my career. Mom guides me, but in the end I decide.

Is there any actor or director you’d like to work with?

I’m a very greedy actress. I would like to work with everyone in South India.

Would you like to do a heroine-centric films?

Which actor wouldn’t? But I think I need to be a little more experienced and
mature. I’m just 25, so I would rather choose a script where people appreciate me rather than say ‘Hansu was too young to do this’. Eventually in my
career, I will do such films. I think I have time for such films.

What are you looking forward to in 2017?

A lot more great films like Bogan.
Working harder and giving more hits!

You’re looking quite slim and fit now. Are you a fitness freak?

To be honest, I am not a fitness freak. I am into yoga and that is the key. A lot of people don’t know this, but I just can’t go to the gym.

I combine yoga and squash, which is the sport I play. And that’s what keeps me fit.