Actor Esther Anil has opened up about the challenges of living a non-celebrity life while studying in London, including a brief and difficult stint working in a restaurant. Now 23, the ‘Drishyam’ actress recently opened up about her transition from fame to a more academic path, in a candid interview with YouTube channel Njan Vidamatte by Keerthi.

Currently promoting her latest film ‘Shanthamee Rathriyil’ in Dubai, Esther reflected on her film career, personal growth, and life as a student in London. The film, inspired by a song from Jayaraj’s ‘Johnnie Walker,’ explores love and events set on a Christmas night, with Esther playing Catherine, a character rooted in the 1970s. Her co-star Gokul gained recognition through ‘Aadujeevitham.’

Life in London and restaurant job struggles

Esther is presently pursuing her master’s degree in Development Studies at a prestigious university in London — a dream she had long held back due to financial constraints. “I didn’t think I’d get in. Many universities had rejected me, and this acceptance was unexpected,” she said.

However, life in London hasn’t been without challenges. She revealed that she briefly worked in a restaurant to support herself. “I worked in a restaurant for three weeks and eventually quit because I started getting cuts on my hands from repetitive kitchen work like chopping, and there were also some issues with the manager,” Esther said. “The physical strain, combined with the academic pressure I was under, made me realise it wasn’t sustainable — so I decided to focus entirely on my studies,” she added.

Beyond the spotlight

Esther first rose to prominence in third grade with ‘Oru Naal Varum,’ acting alongside Mohanlal. That film brought her into the limelight. Friends from school used to say she had become a bit arrogant after that. But she says fame lost its appeal over time. “At that age, I may have felt I was part of something big. But eventually, I realised that films come and go, and people’s opinions change. I don’t really feel like a celebrity anymore. It’s just a tag people assign.”

Despite having acted in all three language versions of ‘Drishyam,’ which brought her pan-Indian recognition, Esther said that in London, life is refreshingly ordinary. “No one knows you there, and I’ve always longed for that kind of normalcy.”

She considers herself more academically inclined than artistically. “Even now, my heart is more into academics than films,” she confessed.

Dubai memories, dreams, and digital life

Though she is currently in Dubai for film promotions, her relationship with the city had a rocky start. She recounted having some unpleasant experiences during her first visit, which left her disheartened. However, her perspective changed after she returned last year to support her sister during childbirth. “I stayed for a month and looked after the baby. That time really changed how I felt about Dubai,” she said. With several friends now based in the city, she finds it more welcoming and hopes to explore it further.

Esther also dreams of going skydiving, though the cost makes her hesitate. “It’s expensive, and I wonder if it’s worth spending so much. But one day, I definitely want to do it,” she said.

When it comes to social media, Esther said she maintains both public and private accounts. “People think I’m quite active on social media because of the photo shoots I post. But I’m actually more active on my private account — that’s where the real action happens,” she laughed, admitting that she also does a bit of stalking like anyone else.

Grounded and growing

Having lived in Kochi for the past seven years, Esther feels deeply attached to the city. She now dreams of spending the next decade travelling and working around the world. Politically aware and articulate, Esther revealed she prefers to keep her views off social media and share them only in more meaningful conversations.

Rarely giving interviews, Esther said she only speaks to the media when she has something to say. “When I don’t have a film release, I don’t know what to talk about,” she admitted.