She started out as a child actor in films like Escape from Taliban, Hawa, Koi Mil Gaya, Jaago and Aabra Ka Daabra.

Barely in her teens, she went on to star opposite the singing sensation, Himesh Reshammiya in his debut film Aap Ka Surroor - The Moviee. The movie went on to become a smash hit and Hansika truly arrived with a bang. Along with her Bollywood career, Hansika also managed to do some notable films down South.

What's more, the bubbly actress recently bagged her first ever Filmfare award for Best Debutante in the South Filmfare Awards. Hansika who was recently seen opposite Govinda in the comic-caper Money Hai Toh Honey Hai is surely going places.

While much is already known about her professional life, we at Bollywood Hungama got a chance to get up, close and personal with Hansika - the painter. Yes, you heard it right, Hansika is an avid painter and we bring you an exclusive interview with her where she talks about her painting fad.

What's more! You even get a chance to see some of her best paintings.

This painting of a squirrel indeed shows that Hansika has a flair for painting. When we quizzed her on how it all started, Hansika said, "I really don't know. Painting was just a subject in my school and I started improving it slowly and steadily. I got some stuff at home to paint and now I really enjoy painting."

On asking her what form of painting does she usually prefer, she said, "I basically do sketching, drawing, shading or dry pastels. It really depends on my mood on a particular day."

One look at the painting above and you may wonder if this is done by a professional artist.

Hansika smiles and says, "I really haven't taken any formal training in painting as such. It's just whatever I learnt in school. My teachers encouraged me by saying that I do have a flair for painting and I just took it forward from there."

We quizzed the chirpy actress if she has a fascination to sketch or paint animals. "Not really. My paintings or sketches reflect what mood I am in. Sometimes I may sketch a human figure or maybe paint some of our Gods and Goddesses. At times it may just be something abstract or maybe a cartoon figure."