Aishwarya Lekshmi has spent about a year away from Instagram, and the actor says the decision has brought her greater peace despite the professional opportunities she may be missing. She also opened up about AI-generated content, vulgar edits and the pressure of constantly performing on social media.
Actor and producer Aishwarya Lekshmi has opened up about why she stepped away from Instagram and how life has changed since making the decision. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor said she initially expected the break to be temporary but eventually found that staying away from social media made her happier.
Aishwarya said her decision was influenced by several factors, including the amount of AI-generated material and what she described as a “vulgar edit culture” surrounding celebrities online.
“I never imagined I’d leave completely,” Aishwarya said, explaining that she originally thought she would deactivate her account for a short period because of work-related reasons.
However, after spending more time away from the platform, she realised that she no longer wanted to return to the constant cycle of posting, monitoring reactions and maintaining an online presence.
Aishwarya Lekshmi on AI Content and Vulgar Edits
According to Aishwarya, one of the things that contributed to her decision was seeing AI-generated content and edited material involving celebrities.
She said she was tired of encountering such content and the wider culture surrounding it, adding that the edits continue to exist even though she is no longer actively using Instagram.
For the actor, however, the bigger change has been personal. She said not having to constantly perform for social media has helped her feel more relaxed.
Aishwarya explained that she is “so much happier” without social media and does not believe her acting career has suffered significantly because of her absence.
‘The Amount of Sanity I’ve Gained Is Far More Valuable’
Aishwarya acknowledged that her decision has financial implications.
She said her managers and agents have encouraged her to return to social media, pointing out that she could be missing out on potential earnings by not maintaining an Instagram presence.
But the actor said she views the trade-off differently.
According to Aishwarya, the mental peace she has gained from staying away from social media is more valuable to her than the money she could potentially earn through the platform.
Her approach also extends to brand collaborations. She said she makes it clear to brands that she cannot promote their products through her personal social-media account. If a brand is comfortable with that arrangement, she is open to working with it.
Aishwarya also suggested that her absence from Instagram has created a sense of exclusivity around her public image.
“I want my films to speak for themselves,” she said.
Why Social Media Changed Her Perception of People
Aishwarya also reflected on how deeply social media reactions once affected her.
She recalled spending considerable time reading comments and messages and said the experience sometimes made her feel as though people were against her.
She referred to an earlier interview in which she had discussed that feeling. When the interview was subsequently uploaded to YouTube, she said the comments appeared to reinforce her perception because many users focused on posting reactions rather than engaging with what she had actually said.
Stepping away from that environment changed how she experiences interactions in everyday life.
Aishwarya said that when she meets people now, she does not have the same feeling that everyone is against her or that people are constantly judging her.
She described social media as something that can become “incredibly vicious and toxic,” particularly when a person is repeatedly exposed to comments and reactions.
Aishwarya Lekshmi Says Cinema Is No Longer Her Entire Life
The actor also spoke about how her priorities have changed since entering the film industry.
When she began her career, Aishwarya said cinema was essentially everything to her. After several years in the industry, however, she now sees filmmaking as only one part of her life.
That has also influenced the projects she chooses.
Rather than focusing on appearing in as many films as possible, she said she is comfortable doing perhaps one film a year if it is a project she genuinely wants to be associated with.
Her comments suggest a more selective approach to her career, where the number of releases is less important than her connection with the material.
Who Is Aishwarya Lekshmi?
Aishwarya Lekshmi is an actor and producer from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. A trained doctor, she moved into acting and made her Malayalam film debut with Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela in 2017.
She gained wider recognition that year with Mayaanadhi, which established her as a prominent performer in Malayalam cinema. She later appeared opposite Fahadh Faasil in Varathan.
Aishwarya subsequently expanded her work into Tamil cinema, including Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films. Her other credits include Kaanekkaane, Ammu, Kumari, Gatta Kusthi, Hello Mummy and Maaman.
With her decision to remain away from Instagram, Aishwarya has chosen to maintain a more limited digital presence while allowing her films and acting work to remain the primary focus of her public career.
