The pretty moppet of Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand and the child star of ‘Koi…Mil Gaya’ has just made a successful transition to lead roles with Himesh Reshammiya's ‘Aap Kaa Surroor’. And insists that her young age works to her advantage. We chat with this one of the little wonders of Bollywood who is sure to take the world by storm in the forthcoming days.
Excerpts from an Interview:
Aap Kaa Surroor is the surprise super-hit of the year and you've broken the jinx that child stars rarely make successful debuts as leading ladies. You must be feeling on top of the world. Oh, definitely. It's great when you are accepted by the audience and the industry in such a big way. I've got really good reviews and on one particular website I've been described as the next Sachin Tendulkar of the country. Wow!
Already there's talk of a sequel. Will you be a part of it? Let's wait and see. It would depend on what Himesh Reshammiya wants.
Talking of Himesh, weren't you awkward with a man so much older than you, especially during the intimate moments? I'm an actor and when I was in front of the camera I ceased to be Hannsikaa. I became the character, Riia, so there was no question of feeling awkward.
So romancing Himesh on screen was not difficult. What was? Nothing is difficult. Ever since Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand when my mother and actor-director Aruna Irani discovered that I had the spark and decided that acting was the career for me, I have been concentrating on it single-mindedly.
That's great. But haven't you made the transition to lead roles may be a little too early?
It's up to you to grab the opportunity. Since this was what I wanted to do, why wait? I started my acting career at a very young age, and each year I've only learnt something more. My young age works to my advantage because I have a long innings ahead.
But surely you're missing out on a lot?
Like what? I'm still continuing with my studies. I'm doing my 'A' levels at Poddar International High School. I'm still in touch with my old friends. At home and in college I'm like any normal girl.
That's a little hard to believe.
Well, may be in college I get a little special treatment and am being asked for an autograph every five minutes.
What's with the change in name? Hansika Motwani has become Hannsikaa, we're told?
Yeah, I'll be known as Hannsikaa from now on. Himeshji decided to drop the Motwani and add an extra 'n' and 'a' for numerological reasons. Since it has worked so well for me that's how I'll be known now.
Is the Hannsikaa of Aap Kaa Surroor recognised as the dimpled moppet of Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand or the child star of Koi…Mil Gaya and Aabra Ka Daabra?
Surprisingly, no. Very rarely do people connect me with that kid, and if they do, it’s only because of my smile. Mostly they're shocked when they learn that I'm the same Hansika. Then it's like, "Arrey, woh bachchi itni badi ho gayi hai!"
So now you can dream of being cast opposite Hrithik Roshan some day?
That would depend on the script but Roshan uncle, Pinky aunty, Hrithik and Suzzane are wonderful people. And as for Jadoo, he still calls me sometimes. I think he's lent me a little bit of his jadoo that is there today for the world to see.
How was the shoot in Germany? Were you mobbed?
There were very few Indians where we shot. A few of them recognized Himeshji but I didn't come in the public eye. They didn't make a big deal over Himeshji either. There they only know Shah Rukh Khan. Of course, in India Himeshji is a legend. As a singer and now as an actor too. He's got such a wonderful voice. I love 'Tera mera milna…'
How many offers have you got since Aap Kaa Surroor hit the theatres?
There have been plenty of offers but my mother wants me to only settle for good scripts and banners. I was away for a week, visiting my nana and nani in Delhi. You know thanks to all my fans it was difficult for me to get out of the airport. I'm just got back to Mumbai. You can expect some announcements soon but I want them to come as a surprise, like Aap Kaa Surroor.
Can we expect a drastic change of image too?
In Aap Kaa Surroor I was expected to look a little plump. But I've since shed five kilos and now I'm ready for anything. I'm here to perform and I don't want to get typecast. If the script demands that I play a goody-goody girl again that's what I'll do but if my director is looking for something different from me then I'm not going to disappoint him either. Hannsikaa can do anything under the sun.
