Social media has become a primary channel for celebrities to promote their work and connect with fans. However, South Indian actress Aishwarya Lekshmi has decided to stay away from these platforms. She has not been active on Instagram for nearly a year; instead, she has found mental peace in her life by distancing herself from social media.
Aishwarya had announced her decision to leave Instagram indefinitely back in September 2023. At the time, she explained that social media was affecting her work and creativity, and even hindering her ability to enjoy the simple joys of life.
Even after nearly a year, the actress has not changed her decision. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, she discussed the reasons behind leaving Instagram and the changes it has brought to her life.
‘I am happier without social media’
Aishwarya revealed that there were several reasons behind quitting Instagram. She was particularly annoyed by content generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and inappropriate edits. At the same time, she disliked the constant pressure to maintain an online presence.
According to the actress, the effort to uphold a specific image online made her uncomfortable. She now feels a great sense of relief being free from that pressure.
“I have found a lot of peace as an individual by not constantly being on social media or having to present myself there. I am much happier without social media,” said Aishwarya.
Unwilling to return despite agents’ advice
Aishwarya’s agents and managers have pointed out that she is missing out on certain financial opportunities by not being active on social media. They have advised her to return to Instagram.
However, for Aishwarya, mental peace outweighs financial loss. She stated that the sense of relief she has gained by staying away from social media is far more valuable to her.
The actress acknowledged that she might lose out on brand deals or work opportunities due to her lack of online activity, but she is prepared to take that risk.
“Let my films speak for me”
Aishwarya believes that an actor should be judged solely on their work. She hopes that the level of one’s social media activity does not become the primary factor in securing work.
She wants her films to speak for themselves. Having worked in the industry for nearly eight years, directors are already aware of her acting capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses; therefore, she sees no need for a regular social media presence.
Comments created a different kind of feeling
Before quitting social media, Aishwarya used to read comments and personal messages regularly. Often, while reading them, she felt as though everyone was against her.
She noted that she no longer experiences this feeling when meeting people in real life. In her view, social media can sometimes create the impression that the entire world is against an individual. The actress also remarked that the online environment can become quite cruel and toxic.
Love from fans beyond social media
Even while staying away from Instagram, Aishwarya continues to receive love from her fans. In fact, she believes that the affection received outside of social media holds even greater significance.
In an interview, she spoke about a fan from Malaysia who purchased a saree and sent it to the actress through an organization, accompanied by a long, handwritten letter. Aishwarya read the letter multiple times and later replied to the fan with a letter of her own.
According to the actress, if someone truly wishes to connect with you, they can find a way to do so without relying on social media. She values ​​such personal interactions—like that handwritten letter—far more than online communication.
Not completely off social media
Although Aishwarya does not use Instagram for personal promotion, she has not abandoned social media entirely. She maintains an account for her pet dog and follows a few pages. However, she has no immediate plans to post regularly about her photos, lifestyle, or work projects.
Back in September 2025, she had stated that social media was distracting her from her work and impacting her creativity; a year later, she remains firm in that decision.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Aishwarya mentioned that staying away from social media has not halted her career. Instead, she is prioritizing the films and acting projects she is passionate about. Her recent work includes the film Gatta Kusthi 2.
