Erica Fernandes: Being away from the limelight has been a humbling experience

It’s rare to see an in-demand actress step away from the limelight to broaden her horizons. So, when Erica Fernandes chose to relocate to Dubai for new creative pursuits two years ago, it surprised many. Today, she is more than pleased with how her life has evolved. She talks about how her decision has helped channelise her creativity and strike a balance in her life.
‘I’m channelling my creativity in exciting new ways’
Reflecting on her decision to relocate, she shares, “Moving to Dubai has been a rewarding experience.Stepping away from the limelight and starting from scratch has been humbling. Back in Mumbai, I was constantly torn between my public persona and the desire to live a normal life. Here, I’ve consciously embraced that normalcy. While I’m still recognised as an actor in Dubai, it’s nice to be viewed more as a businesswoman.”
Erica shares, “My production house and event management company are both shaping up well, allowing me to channel my creativity in exciting new ways.”
‘I couldn’t connect with most of the content on television’
At a time when she was being offered back-to-back roles on TV, was she ever uncertain about relocating to another country? “Not at all,” she replies, adding, “I took a conscious break from television because most of the content was regressive, and I couldn’t connect with it. So, it felt it was the right time to step back and focus on something more fulfilling and in line with my creative vision.”
‘My move to Dubai hasn’t discouraged people from reaching out with acting offers’
Though she is no longer based in Mumbai, Erica hasn’t stepped away from acting. Has moving abroad resulted in fewer acting offers? The actress, who has been part of shows such as Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi and Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2 and was recently seen in the series Love Adhura, replies, “I’ve always loved travelling, and it takes just as long to fly from Dubai to Mumbai as it does to travel between Indian cities. So, no, my move hasn’t changed the perception, nor has it discouraged people from reaching out. I’m still getting offers, especially in the OTT space, which I am keen on exploring.”

‘Mumbai will always have a special place in my heart’
Ask Erica what she misses the most about Mumbai and she says, “At this point, I’m happy with where I am and am enjoying this new chapter. Dubai offers the balance I’ve been seeking – both personally and professionally. However, Mumbai will always have a special place in my heart. I absolutely miss the food and the monsoons in Mumbai. There’s something irreplaceable about the city during the rains – it’s a vibe, a mood and a deep connection I haven’t found anywhere else,” she concludes.