# Hansika Motwani

Hansika Motwani (born 9 August 1991) is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Tamil and Telugu films. Hansika began her career as a child actor in Hindi films, and later went on to appear in lead roles in Telugu films, including Desamuduru (2007), Kantri (2008) and Maska (2009). She started her career in Tamil cinema with Mappillai (2011) and then appeared in several commercially successful Tamil films such as Engeyum Kadhal (2011), Velayudham (2011), Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (2012), Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Singam II (2013) and Aranmanai (2014). She has also acted in the Malayalam film Villain (2017).

## Early life

Hansika Motwani, hailing from a Sindhi Hindu family, was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Her father, Pradeep Motwani, is a businessman, while her mother, Mona Motwani, is a dermatologist. She received her education at the Podar International School and the International Curriculum School, Santacruz both located in Mumbai.

## Career
### 2001–2010

Hansika began her television career with a serial called Shaka Laka Boom Boom. She later acted in the Indian serial Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand and appeared as one of the children in Koi... Mil Gaya.
She made her debut in 2007 in a lead role at the age of 15 in a lead role in Puri Jagannadh's Telugu film Desamuduru and earned the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South for her performance. She later appeared in the Hindi film Aap Kaa Surroor with Himesh Reshammiya.
Her first 2008 release was Bindaas, starring Puneeth Rajkumar, and is her first and only Kannada film to date. Later that year, she appeared in Kantri with Jr. NTR.

### 2011–2015

Hansika debuted in Tamil cinema with Mappillai. Her next Tamil film, Engeyum Kadhal was a successful one. The same year she went on to star alongside Vijay in Velayudham.
In 2012, she had two releases, one in Tamil and another one in Telugu. Her first release was M. Rajesh's romantic comedy film Oru Kal Oru Kannadi which became her first runaway hit and earned her positive reviews for her performance. In Telugu, she was featured in Denikaina Ready which also earned a positive response from the public. She received her first Best Actress nomination at the 60th Filmfare Awards South for her performance in the films. In 2013, she appeared in four Tamil films such as Settai, Sundar C's Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru, Hari's Singam II starring Suriya and Venkat Prabhu's Biriyani with Suriya's brother Karthi. She had five releases in 2014, two of them were Telugu films, the comedy flick Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda and the action-masala film Power. Her Tamil releases were the fantasy film Maan Karate with Sivakarthikeyan, Sundar C's horror comedy Aranmanai and the action thriller film Meaghamann.
Aambala, her third collaboration with Sundar C, was her first 2015 release. Her second release that year was Romeo Juliet, which marked her second film with Jayam Ravi. She also appeared in Vaalu with Silambarasan.

### 2016–present

In 2016, Aranmanai 2 directed by Sundar C received mixed reviews. Hansika had a list of flops later that year, including Uyire Uyire and Pokkiri Raja. Her last release in 2016 was Manithan with Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Bogan was her first release in 2017 and it was reviewed positively. Many critics praised her for her performance in the introduction scene and the pre-climax scene. She also acted in a Telugu film Luckunnodu. She debuted in Malayalam films with Villain in 2017.
Her first release of 2018 was Gulaebaghavali in which she played a con-artist's role named Viji. Her other release of 2018 was Thuppakki Munai, starring Vikram Prabhu. In 2019, she appeared with Atharvaa in the Tamil film 100, directed by Sam Anton and in the Telugu film Tenali Ramakrishna BA. BL opposite Sundeep Kishan.
For her 50th film, Motwani was the lead actress in Maha (2022). She was seen in the horror 105 Minuttess (2024) and Guardian (2024).

## Personal life

Motwani regularly practices meditation. She said in an interview, "The best way to effectively de-stress for me is to chant- Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo, as I strongly follow Buddhism." According to the actress, chanting has helped her personally and professionally. Motwani married her longtime boyfriend, businessman Sohail Khaturiya on 4 December 2022 in Mundota Fort and Palace, Jaipur.

## Other work and media image

Motwani participates in philanthropic activities. She provides monetary support for the education of underprivileged children and women who are suffering with breast cancer. She is the brand Ambassador of Chennai turns Pink, an awareness program to promote breast cancer awareness among women.
In 2014, she was featured in Forbes's 250 celebrities list.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |

### Films

List of films and roles :
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 2003 | Hawa | Sasha | Hindi | Child artist |
| 2003 | Koi... Mil Gaya | Priya Sharma | Hindi | Child artist |
| 2004 | Jaago | Shruti Verma | Hindi | Child artist |
| 2004 | Hum Kaun Hai? | Sara Williams | Hindi | Child artist |
| 2004 | Aabra Ka Daabra | Pinky | Hindi | Child artist |
| 2007 | Desamuduru | Vaishali | Telugu | Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South |
| 2007 | Aap Kaa Surroor | Riya Bakshi | Hindi | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut |
| 2008 | Bindaas | Preethi | Kannada | |
| 2008 | Kantri | Varalakshmi | Telugu | |
| 2008 | Money Hai Toh Honey Hai | Ashima Kapoor | Hindi | |
| 2009 | Maska | Meenakshi 'Meenu' | Telugu | |
| 2009 | Billa | Priya | Telugu | Cameo appearance |
| 2009 | Jayeebhava | Anjali | Telugu | |
| 2010 | Seeta Ramula Kalyanam Lankalo | Nandhini | Telugu | |
| 2011 | Mappillai | Gayathri | Tamil | |
| 2011 | Engeyum Kadhal | Kayalvizhi (Lolita) | Tamil | |
| 2011 | Kandireega | Shruthi | Telugu | Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Actress (Telugu) |
| 2011 | Velayudham | Vaidehi | Tamil | |
| 2011 | Oh My Friend | Rithu | Telugu | |
| 2012 | Oru Kal Oru Kannadi | Meera | Tamil | |
| 2012 | Denikaina Ready | Sharmila | Telugu | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu |
| 2013 | Settai | Madhumitha | Tamil | |
| 2013 | Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru | Sanjana | Tamil | |
| 2013 | Singam II | Sathya | Tamil | |
| 2013 | Biriyani | Priyanka | Tamil | 25th Film |
| 2014 | Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda | Honey | Telugu | |
| 2014 | Maan Karate | Yazhini | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Power | Nirupama | Telugu | |
| 2014 | Aranmanai | Selvi | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Meaghamann | Usha | Tamil | |
| 2015 | Aambala | Maya | Tamil | |
| 2015 | Romeo Juliet | Aishwarya (Subbulakshmi) | Tamil | |
| 2015 | Vaalu | Priya Mahalakshmi | Tamil | |
| 2015 | Puli | Princess Manthagini | Tamil | |
| 2015 | Size Zero | Herself | Telugu | Bilingual film, Cameo appearance |
| 2015 | Inji Iduppazhagi | Herself | Tamil | Bilingual film, Cameo appearance |
| 2016 | Aranmanai 2 | Maya | Tamil | |
| 2016 | Pokkiri Raja | Sunitha | Tamil | |
| 2016 | Uyire Uyire | Priya | Tamil | |
| 2016 | Manithan | Priya | Tamil | |
| 2017 | Luckunnodu | 'Positive' Padma | Telugu | |
| 2017 | Bogan | Mahalakshmi | Tamil | |
| 2017 | Singam 3 | Sathya | Tamil | Special appearance |
| 2017 | Goutham Nanda | Spoorthi | Telugu | |
| 2017 | Villain | Dr. Shreya Venkatesh | Malayalam | |
| 2018 | Gulaebaghavali | Viji | Tamil | |
| 2018 | Thuppakki Munai | Mythili | Tamil | |
| 2019 | NTR: Kathanayakudu | Jaya Prada | Telugu | Special appearance |
| 2019 | 100 | Nisha | Tamil | |
| 2019 | Tenali Ramakrishna BA. BL | Rukmini | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Maha | Maha | Tamil | 50th Film |
| 2023 | Partner | female Kalyan / unnamed woman | Tamil | dual role |
| 2023 | My Name Is Shruthi | Shruthi | Telugu | |
| 2024 | 105 Minuttess | Jaanu | Telugu | |
| 2024 | Guardian | Aparna | Tamil | |
| 2025 | Rowdy Baby † | TBA | Tamil | Filming |
| 2025 | Man † | TBA | Tamil | Completed |
| 2025 | Gandhari † | TBA | Tamil | Filming |

### Television

List of television shows and roles :
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 2001–2003 | Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand | Tina | Hindi | |
| 2001 | Shaka Laka Boom Boom | Karuna / Shona | Hindi | |
| 2002 | Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi | Baavri Virani | Hindi | |
| 2002 | Son Pari | Sweety | Hindi | |
| 2003 | Karishma Kaa Karishma | Teena | Hindi | |
| 2004 | Zameen Se Aassman Tak | | Hindi | |
| 2004–2005 | Hum Do Hain Na | Kareenakumar / Koel | Hindi | |
| 2005 | Celebrity Fame Gurukul | Herself (contestant) | Hindi | |
| 2010 | Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai | Chief Guest | Hindi | |
| 2023 | Hansika's Love Shaadi Drama | Herself | English | |
| 2023 | MY3 | Mythri | Tamil | |
| 2024 | Dhee Celebrity Special 2 | Judge | Telugu | |
| TBA | Nasha † | TBA | Telugu | Filming |

### Music videos

List of music videos :
| Year | Title | Singer(s) | Language | Label |
| 2007 | Ishq Na Karna | Agam Kumar Nigam and Tulsi Kumar | Hindi | T-Series |
| 2021 | Booty Shake | Tony Kakkar and Sonu Kakkar | Hindi | Desi Music Factory |
| 2021 | Mazaa | B Praak | Hindi | Saregama |
| 2022 | Shreaam Pagal | Sunidhi Chauhan | Punjabi | YRF |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2003 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Child Artiste – Female | Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand | Won |
| 2008 | 53rd Filmfare Awards | Best Female Debut | Aap Kaa Surroor | Nominated |
| 2008 | 55th Filmfare Awards South | Best Female Debut – South | Desamuduru | Won |
| 2012 | 1st South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Telugu | Kandireega | Nominated |
| 2012 | 1st South Indian International Movie Awards | Actress – Special Appreciation (Telugu) | Kandireega | Won |
| 2012 | 1st South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Female Debut – Tamil | Mappillai | Won |
| 2012 | 1st South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Tamil | Engeyum Kadhal | Nominated |
| 2013 | 2nd South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Tamil | Oru Kal Oru Kannadi | Won |
| 2013 | 60th Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Denikaina Ready | Nominated |
| 2014 | 3rd South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Tamil | Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru | Nominated |
| 2015 | 4th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Tamil | Aranmanai | Won |
| 2018 | 7th South Indian International Movie Awards | Style Icon of the Year | — | Won |
| 2022 | 10th South Indian International Movie Awards | Decade of Excellence in South Indian Cinema | — | Won |