Actor Hansika Motwani Reveals Why Paris Has Her Heart

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Going Places With People: Actor Hansika Motwani Reveals Why Paris Has Her Heart

Many of us know Hansika Motwani as a child star, from starring in our favorite Indian shows to playing leading roles in films, she has come a long way. Hansika is a traveller at heart and has been travelling around the world, her recent trip to Paris and Greece was nothing short of a fantasy. In a conversation with Travel + Leisure India & South Asia, she shares with us her favorite spots in Paris, why New York has made an impact on her life, and more. By Ralan Kithan

Excerpts From The Interview With Hansika Motwani:

T+L India: You’ve been to Greece and Paris. How did this trip spring up?

Hansika Motwani: It was my annual summer holiday — I take two trips every year. Santorini and Mykonos were on my bucket list.

T+L India: Which part of Greece did you like best?

Hansika Motwani: Definitely Mykonos. It was beautiful. The vibe, the people, the music, the food…everything was just lovely!

T+L India: What was the highlight of your whole trip?

Hansika Motwani: All the girls who were a part of this trip made an effort. A few of my friends had flown down from America, few from Chennai, and few from Mumbai. Everyone coordinating and making this come to life itself was a big highlight. We had a lot of fun. We went hiking and partying. We did yoga. It was a beautiful, wonderful trip.

T+L India: What should we not miss out on when visiting Greece?

Hansika Motwani: I think everyone should visit Santorini. There’s another calmness to it. It’s beautiful, white and blue. The sea is amazing! It’s a beautiful place to explore.

T+L India: How has travel shaped who you are?

Hansika Motwani: Travel has made me very independent and confident. That’s why I go on two trips every year alone — to explore and evolve.

T+L India: Is there any destination that made an impact on your life?

Hansika Motwani: New York. My mum allowed just me and my friends to travel alone when I was 15. New York is always my go-to place. Earlier, I would visit New York once a year and stay for 20 days. It always makes me happy.

T+L India: Your favorite spots in Paris?

Hansika Motwani: As cliché as it sounds, the best spot in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. I would go out in the evenings to buy chocolate crepe and just sit and watch the lights with Bollywood music playing in the background. To me, shopping and sightseeing are not important. I enjoy just looking at the view.

T+L India: At T+L, we believe in #GoingPlaceswithPeople. Were there any interesting interactions with the locals of Greece or France that stuck with you?

Hansika Motwani: If you make a little effort to understand the language and pick up small words, it definitely helps! They know you’re a tourist and they know that you’re taking efforts to understand the language. It always works. Locals then go a step ahead to help you out.

T+L India: What kind of a traveller are you?

Hansika Motwani: Very hectic! From having extra pairs of clothes to carrying my speakers and hair equipment, I want everything! I have major OCD and like packing myself. I need to learn how to travel light, but it’s going to take quite some time.

T+L India: Which place would you like to visit for a passion project?

Hansika Motwani: I have not been to Israel, but I would like to go there. There’s a lot of history. I think it would be great for me because there is so much depth there.

T+L India: What’s the next destination on your list?

Hansika Motwani: Australia. I want to go see kangaroos and koalas. I also want to visit the Gold Coast. Otherwise my go-to cities are London, Dubai, America, and Paris.

T+L India: What does travel mean to you?

Hansika Motwani: Travel means sanity. It gives me a lot of peace. I enjoy travelling and exploring. I believe I’ve yet to travel a lot more though.