Princess diaries

With as many as eight Tamil films lined up, Hansika Motwani tells Sudhir Srinivasan that her role as a princess in Vijay 58 is perfect for the diva in her

November 29, 2014 08:44 pm | Updated November 30, 2014 11:55 am IST

Hansika Motwani

Hansika Motwani

Hansika Motwani's voice is quivering slightly when she takes my call the first time. This seems odd in someone who is no novice to interviews. She later says she had taken the call in the middle of a lengthy rain dance scene. Her diary is full of films, including Meaghamann and Vijay 58, but true to her promise, she makes the time for a long conversation.

Eight Tamil films in your kitty!

It’s not new at all. I’m probably the only Tamil actress to have signed three films even before the release of my first ( Mappillai ). So, I’m completely comfortable juggling several films at once.

Of these eight, Vijay’s is next, promoted as Vijay 58 .

It’s a huge project for me. I’ve acted with Vijay before ( Velayudham ) but I’m more than just a pretty girl in this film. We’ve already completed one schedule, and I’ve shot a song with him too. The costumes and make-up are exacting, as I play a princess. Considering I’m one at home, the character wasn’t difficult to enact. ( Laughs )

You’re also teaming with Arya again in Meaghamann , after the underwhelming Settai .

I play a TamBrahm girl called Sathya, who’s self-centred and egotistical, an antithesis of who I am. She’s convinced that the hero is in love with her, even when he isn’t. A blithe spirit, she provides all the relief in this otherwise serious film.

Is her role woven around the hero’s, as in most of our films?

Not really. She gets the hero into trouble. That’s more than you can say about the weak female characters you refer to. She’s like the queen of her locality, bullying kids and so on. Though she may seem like a girl who can do no harm, she does.

When you play a character like Sathya, a person you cannot relate to at all, where do you look for references?

I know many people who are like Sathya. Even as the director was narrating her character, I began recalling all the selfish, egocentric people I know. As an actor, a lot of what you do is about visualisation. It helps you understand the mental makeup of the character you play. This visualisation is my only preparation for a role, as I don’t believe in homework. I rely instead on spontaneous performances. The problem with homework is you become rigid. If the director requires that you make some last-minute changes to your performance, it becomes difficult. I just trust the director and go with the flow.

When a film like Settai doesn’t do well, does it affect you as much as it does the hero or the director?

In a way, yeah. Even though it may not affect me to the same magnitude, failures always rankle. However, the Tamil and Telugu film industries have always thought of me as a lucky charm. Like ‘Kutti Kushboo’, a nickname that’s stuck, someone called me ‘a golden egg’ recently.

Do you believe that you are one?

Hey, I’m an actress… a woman. I love compliments and appreciation. I may not let it go to my head, but such sobriquets always make me happy.

Let’s go back to the beginning. You are in your early 20s, but you have been acting for more than seven years now.

Yes. I was a leading child artiste in Hindi television when I took a break to finish school. I returned as an actress with the Telugu Desamuduru in 2007, and Tamil films followed suit.

No academic aspirations?

Not really. It’s a time (the teens) when you’re unsure about life. Thankfully, my mother planned my future for me.

She continues to manage your career, does she not?

Yes. Everything I am today, I owe her. I simply walk into the sets at 9 a.m. and out at 5 p.m. without a worry in the world. I have a normal life after my shooting. I hit the gym, laze at home… I do things any 23-year-old does. My stress-free life is possible only because my mum absorbs all the stress on my behalf.

You missed out on those greatly romanticised college years. Do you sometimes wish you could step into a friend’s shoes and see what it’s like?

If you want something in life, you have to give up something else. In my case, college years. I think of the number of women out there who wish they could live my life. So, no, it’s not a thought that bothers me much.

How have you changed as an actress over the years?

As a 17-year-old, I remember positively dreading dance sequences. I would come to shoots, quaking with nervousness at the idea of making other artistes do retakes due to my mistakes. Today, I smack my lips at the idea of dance sequences. I know I won’t need more than two takes at the most.

You also seem to have consciously created a clean image on screen.

I watch my films with my mum and other family members, you know. I also know there are thousands of women who watch my films. I don’t want to set wrong examples. That said, there are also producers who probably feel glamorous sequences don’t suit me. Perhaps once I am older?

You have signed Sundar C’s next film with Vishal, Aambala . This makes it your third consecutive film with Sundar.

Every time he finishes a film, I ask him who his next heroine is. He smiles and says, “Hansu, give me your dates”. And I say yes without even listening to the script. It’s the sheer comfort of acting in a Sundar C film. I know I’ll be treated like a princess.

Your nickname ‘Kutti Kushboo’ came because you look like Kushboo (Sundar’s wife). Does this comparison bother you because you want your individuality respected?

No, no. I’m proud of the comparison and take it as a compliment. In fact, right after Engeyum Kadhal , when I was very new to the Tamil industry, she had the graciousness to call me and appreciate my acting. She started the conversation with, “You may not know who I am”.

Well, did you?

I knew she was popular here, but had no idea that she was so revered.

And both of you have temples in your name. By not objecting to such gestures, aren’t you worried about indirectly encouraging fanaticism?

I’m not going to comment on this. Don’t get me into trouble! ( Laughs )

You’ve got to admit though that the adulation heroines command in our industry is quite something.

I’m working hard for it, am I not? Fame gives you a high. Asked to choose between money and fame, I’d choose the latter every time.

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