Aishwarya Lekshmi, who was last seen in Thug Life, is gearing up for the release of her next, Gatta Kusthi 2, which is scheduled for release on July 3. She stars as a wrestler alongside Vishnuu Vishal in the sequel of her 2022 film Gatta Kusthi, helmed by Chella Ayyavu.

In a recent interview promoting the film, Aishwarya was asked about picking small roles like her character Poonguzhali in the two-part Ponniyin Selvan films. She was asked if the film gave her commercial viability apart from satisfaction.

Speaking to Galatta Plus, Aishwarya Lekshmi explained why she can't take full-on commercial roles like Rashmika Mandanna. “I don’t look at it that way; I find joy in doing my roles well. Not everyone can be a Rashmika Mandanna," she shared.

Further, she added that what Rashmika does is not particularly easy. She continued, "I can’t do what Rashmika does, and she does it with so much grace; it’s not easy at all. I mean the kind of full-fledged commercial roles she takes on. Even within that space, her filmography has variety. But I can’t dance like Rashmika or be that kind of commercial heroine."

She then revealed that her role in her next Malayalam film, Aasha, is also short. "I find fulfilment in the roles I choose, irrespective of their size. In Aasha, my upcoming Malayalam film, my character is very small, but I loved being part of that film because of the story," she explained.

Coming to Ponniyin Selvan itself, she said, "What I gain from a film is more personal than commercial. Ponniyin Selvan meant that a girl from Trivandrum got the opportunity to work with Mani Ratnam sir. Coming from never imagining I’d enter films to getting the chance to work with him. and on a film with music by AR Rahman sir and cinematography by Ravi Varman sir, I would never think of giving up an opportunity like that.”

Apart from Aasha and Gatta Kusthi 2, Aishwarya Lekshmi also has the Telugu film Sambarala Yeti Gattu, and the Netflix series #Love, in the pipeline.