Esther Anil once revealed how her iconic role in the 2013 Malayalam thriller 'Drishyam' continued to shape her life years after its release. The actor, who played the character Anu in the film, shared that fans still recognize her as 'Drishyam papa' even after she relocated to Mumbai for higher studies.
Esther Anil's Throwback Memory from 'Drishyam'
According to a report by Gulf News, Esther was only 12 years old when she portrayed George Kutty's younger daughter in 'Drishyam'. The film achieved massive success and was subsequently remade in several languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Sinhalese, and Chinese.
Reflecting on life after the film, she stated, 'The reason to move to Mumbai was to experience a life of my own and be away from the public glare, but not a day passes without someone recognising me as Drishyam papa.' She added, 'I am often surprised that Mumbai residents recognise me and come up to me to confirm their doubt. It's the same story in college.'
Esther Anil on Growing Up After Fame
Esther also recounted how her roommate found her face familiar before she disclosed her film background. 'She could not help wondering why she found my face was familiar. I then revealed to her that I played the lead in 'Oolu',' she said.
Looking back at her early acting years, Esther admitted that she did not fully comprehend 'Drishyam' while filming it. 'I just followed the director's instructions. It was only while watching the film in a theatre that I understood the story,' she explained.
She also fondly remembered working with Mohanlal in 'Oru Naal Varum' and said, 'Lal uncle made it a fun experience.' Esther later appeared in 'Johaar' and was also part of Santosh Sivan's 'Jack and Jill'. However, her bond with 'Drishyam' remains the role that audiences remember most.
Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026, and Telugu movies.
