Anu Prabhakar, reflecting on her 25-year journey as an actress, still finds it surreal to have achieved this milestone. Recalling the realization of this accomplishment with her peers, she shares that it took time for the magnitude of her 25-year acting career, starting from her debut in "Hrudaya Hrudaya" on September 16, to sink in. The flood of memories kept her awake that night. Anu fondly reminisces about her early experiences on set, affirming her passion for acting. She remembers shooting for "Hrudaya Hrudaya" during her college summer holidays and the pivotal moment when she discovered her lifelong calling.

Anu expresses gratitude for the unwavering love and support she continues to receive from Kannadigas, who hold a special place in their hearts for her as a Kannada actress. Despite working across different languages, she is touched by the enduring connection she shares with her Kannada audience, being affectionately known as "nam mane hudugi."

Reflecting on the evolution of Kannada cinema, Anu acknowledges the strides made in technology that have revolutionized filmmaking. She highlights the use of computer graphics in recent films like "Hagga," comparing it to the challenges faced in her earlier days of shooting double roles. Anu appreciates the convenience and advancements that have made filmmaking a more seamless process today.In the digital age, one thing I miss is the sense of camaraderie that existed on sets in the past. Nowadays, I notice that people on set are more distant. In the past, the set felt like a large family, with lunch breaks spent together under a tree at the shooting location. There were no trailers, and even the lead actor, Shivarajkumar, would personally serve food to everyone. There used to be a clear distinction between commercial and art-house cinema. Some movies were solely created to win awards. Today, filmmakers produce realistic films that also perform well at the box office, which is a positive change as it shows equal dedication towards all types of films. I am grateful for the love and recognition I still receive for the roles I have played throughout my career.

Anu Prabhakar expresses her desire to see more substantial roles written for women in the industry. She admires the performances of past actresses like Bharathi, Aarthi, Leelavati, and Manjula, as well as later stars such as Malashree, Sudharani, and Shruti, who portrayed strong characters that were central to their films. She believes that roles for women have shifted towards being focused on glamour rather than depth and hopes for a change that brings more empowered characters for female actors. Anu is grateful to filmmakers who have offered her roles that showcase her talent and believes that refusing to play characters older than her actual age helps avoid being typecast.

Anu credits her husband, Raghu, as her biggest support in her career. She took a break from work only when their daughter Nandana was born, and Raghu was the one who encouraged her to return to acting when the opportunity arose. He understands her passion for acting and has been instrumental in her continued success in the industry.The art of parenting has strengthened our bond, making us both companions and allies. We coordinate our schedules to ensure that one of us is always there for Nandana. Additionally, our mothers provide valuable support, playing a crucial role in maintaining our peace of mind as we raise our daughter.