Actress Esther Anil, known for her role as the younger daughter of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in the blockbuster film ‘Drishyam’, has graduated from the prestigious London School of Economics.
Sharing her graduation experience, the young actress posted pictures and a video clip on her Instagram page. Reflecting on her journey, she recalled a moment a couple of years ago when her father mentioned someone whose daughter was attending LSE. He suggested she connect with her, hoping she might consider applying there one day.
Esther humorously recounted her initial skepticism, stating, “Honestly, are you kidding me? That was way too big a fish for us to catch. I didn’t even dream of going there back then. I didn’t say it out loud, but in my head I thought, ‘LOL, my dad is a fool with such unrealistic dreams.’”
Fast forward to today, she proudly stood in front of LSE, having graduated in International Development. “There is so much magic in life,” she expressed.
Gratitude filled her message as she thanked her parents for their unwavering support in helping her realize her dreams. “To my parents, whom I didn’t even tell I got into LSE at first, because I knew they wouldn’t be able to afford it. Both my brothers were already on student loans. I didn’t have that kind of money either. No matter what grants or help you get, it still felt like an expensive decision. All they said was, ‘We know how much you want this. Money will come. You are going.’”
She acknowledged her parents’ flaws but emphasized their deep commitment to her dreams. “They will go to any extent for us. Sometimes it’s scary. But as children, that’s what you want—parents who stand by you even if hell breaks loose. Thank you, Appa and Amma, for teaching me to dream and to chase those dreams.”
In a poignant moment, she recalled a media interview where she mentioned feeling like a failure despite being accepted into a top university. “Competing with some of the best minds in the world, and with yourself, your imposter syndrome, was. I’m glad I made it. Certainly not alone,” she said.
The challenges she faced at LSE were immense, pushing her to think in ways she never expected. “Understanding the causes of things has become a way of life, learning to look at everything from multiple dimensions.” Her passion for women and power emerged during her time there, culminating in a thesis that earned her a distinction.
“Maybe I’m not the dumbest after all. Maybe there is some light in me. Maybe I’ll join the powerful women someday. What a year it has been,” she reflected.
To her friends and supporters, she expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “From the depth of my heart, I am grateful. You have taught me to be kind by being the kindest, remembering my worth when the world was saying otherwise.”
She concluded with a promise to repay their kindness and a reminder that “it’s better to be a fool than to never dream.”