The Future Ai

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.

Hansika with her mother, Mona Motwani

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.

Hansika with Allu Arjun in a still from Desamuduru

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 Minutess 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.