'Aramanai' gave me the tag of being a versatile actress, says Hansika Motwani

The bubbly actress is gearing up for the release of her first film of 2016. Hansika will be seen in director Sundar C's Aranmanai 2 which is releasing on January 29. In an exclusive chat with dna, she talks about the film Khushbu and her hopes for 2016:

Aranmanai and now Aranmanai 2 is up for release.

I'm extremely excited because this is my first release of 2016. But I am also nervous because the first film was such a big hit there are high expectations from Aranmanai 2. It's a mixed feeling - I'm happy that the film is now coming to the people but sad that one of my favourite projects is over. On the whole, I'm very excited that my first release of 2016 is Aranmanai 2. 

How is your role different than in the first one?

The two films are quite different - the only common things between me and the first film is the brand and me and Sundar sir. It's a new script. As everyone knows, in this film I play a character who is pregnant. This is the first time I am playing a pregnant lady on screen in my career. That's one big difference that you will see and it will justify the character. I can't reveal more details about the role though, you'll have to see the film.

In Aranmanai, you had a completely different look. 

Aranmanai gave me a name where people recognised me as solid actress and said yes, 'Hansika is versatile'. That's the tag I got after the film released. I think it's one of those roles that I will cherish and people will remember. 

How is it to work with director Sundar C?

He calls me Queen Bee and treats me like a princess! I think he's one director who spoils his artistes and he spoilt me a lot. If I go up to him and say, 'Sir, I'd like to leave at 2 pm', he makes sure I can leave at 12 pm. When I walk onto his film set, it's like walking into the second schedule of my last movie. I'm so used to working with him. He's makes the scenes and performance easy for me and gets the best out of me. 

Did you have fun shooting Party with the Pei?

I love shooting songs any which way and Sundar sir makes sure I get the best of the songs as well. On the whole shooting with the entire star-cast I have enjoyed shooting more and dancing more on the song set. Yes, it was fun.

We see Khushbu (who is married to director Sundar C) praising you often on Twitter.

I think she's a very kind-hearted and magnanimous lady. She always praises me and I am very fond of her entire family. In fact, her daughters are like my sisters. They call me 'didi' and I enjoy being around them. We are like family now. It feels good that such a versatile, pleasant and big personality compliments you so nicely all the time. I feel very privileged that she calls me and praises me.

What is your next release going to be?

I am not sure what is releasing next but I have three or four Tamil releases this year including Pokkiri Raja and the remake of Jolly LLB.

You had a good 2015. Are you looking forward to a good year?

Absolutely. I'm very positive about 2016. At the start of every year, I tell myself this is going to be my year and so I'm going to be very excited for this year too.