Chennai: Popular South Indian actress Aishwarya Lekshmi, known for her roles in Ponniyin Selvan, King of Kotha, and Mamangam, has surprised her fans by deactivating all her social media accounts. The actress shared a long note on her Instagram story on September 13 before permanently deleting her handles, stating that social media had drained her of happiness, original thought, and creativity.
Aishwarya distances herself from online platforms
In her heartfelt note, Aishwarya admitted that she had believed staying active on social media was essential for her career. However, over time she realised the heavy price she was paying for constant online engagement.
“For a long time, I felt that staying active on social media was crucial for my career in acting. However, I gradually realised that social media has robbed me of all my happiness,” she wrote.
The actress explained that she no longer wanted to live under the pressure of maintaining an online presence and wished to focus instead on her craft, research, and personal growth.
The impact of social media on her career
Aishwarya, who enjoys a loyal fanbase across Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu cinema, did not shy away from admitting the risks of her decision. “I am even willing to risk being forgotten in the industry. In today’s time, if you are off Instagram, you are off people’s minds,” she observed.
Her words reflect the changing dynamics of the film industry, where an actor’s social media visibility often becomes a parallel yardstick for relevance and popularity. By stepping away, Aishwarya is challenging the narrative that online engagement is indispensable for success.
‘Robbed me of original thoughts’
The actress listed several reasons for her decision, accusing social media of affecting her creative instincts and even her command over language.
“The reason behind closing my social media accounts is that it has distracted me from my work and research. It has robbed me of my original thoughts, negatively impacted my language and vocabulary, and stolen the small, genuine joys of my life,” she stated.
She emphasised that the move was necessary to protect the “artist within her” and reconnect with the child she once was, highlighting how creative authenticity was more important to her than online validation.
Career and upcoming projects
Despite withdrawing from the public online sphere, Aishwarya remains actively engaged in films. This year, she appeared in Mamangam and Thug Life, both of which received wide attention.
She also has multiple upcoming projects, including SYG, Aasha, and Gatta Kusthi 2. Fans and industry watchers believe her focus on meaningful cinema may only deepen with her conscious decision to keep away from digital distractions.
Celebrities and digital detox
Aishwarya’s move is part of a growing trend of celebrities reconsidering their relationship with social media. While many use platforms to connect with fans and promote projects, others have spoken about the psychological toll it takes.
In the past, actors like Parvathy Thiruvothu and Nayanthara have limited their online presence, citing similar concerns over mental well-being and authenticity. Aishwarya’s exit, however, is more decisive, signalling a complete break rather than temporary detox.
Fans react to her decision
Although her accounts are no longer active, fans flooded fan pages and film forums with reactions, largely expressing support and admiration for her bold step. Some lamented the loss of direct interaction, but many agreed that her well-being and creativity should take precedence.
A conscious step towards balance
In her note, Aishwarya expressed hope that the move will allow her to live more fully and create cinema that resonates with honesty. “I hope I will be able to make even better and more meaningful films in the future,” she said, striking a note of optimism for her artistic journey.
Her decision may reduce her digital visibility but it also reaffirms her commitment to her art. At a time when actors are often judged by their online following, Aishwarya Lekshmi’s choice stands out as a reminder that true creativity comes from within, not from the curated timelines of social media.