Anu Prabhakar, who recently celebrated 25 years in the acting industry, reflects on her journey and the changes she has witnessed over time. Recalling her debut in "Hrudaya Hrudaya" on September 16, she shares how it took a while for the milestone to sink in, saying, "There were so many memories that came flooding back that I couldn't sleep that night." She fondly remembers her early days on set, realizing her passion for acting and how the continuous success of her films shaped her career. Anu also expresses gratitude for the love and support she receives from Kannadigas, who still hold a special place for her as a Kannada actress. Reflecting on the evolution of Kannada cinema, she highlights advancements in technology that have enabled filmmakers to explore new creative possibilities, citing examples like the use of computer graphics in modern films like "Hagga."In the digital age, I miss the sense of camaraderie that was present on sets in the past. Nowadays, I notice that people on set seem to be more distant. In the past, the set felt like one big family - I remember lunch breaks spent together, sitting under a tree at the shoot location. There were no trailers, and even the lead actor himself, Shivarajkumar, would be out there serving food. The distinction between commercial and art house cinema was more pronounced back then. Some films were specifically made for awards, whereas today, we see a trend of realistic films succeeding commercially as well. It's a positive change, as now equal effort is put into all types of films. The continuous love and support from fans for the roles I've portrayed is a wonderful blessing.

Anu Prabhakar expresses her desire for stronger roles for women in films. Looking back at the performances of icons like Bharathi, Aarthi, Leelavati, and Manjula, it's clear that there were significant opportunities for actresses to showcase their talent in the past. Even in later years, actors like Malashree, Sudharani, and Shruti continued this tradition of portraying impactful roles on screen. However, there was a shift where female characters became primarily focused on glamour. Anu hopes for a shift towards more empowered female characters in films. She credits filmmakers who provided her with such roles, leading to more opportunities for her. Anu has made a conscious decision to not accept roles that are beyond her age, as she believes this could restrict her to similar roles in the future.

Anu acknowledges her husband Raghu as her biggest supporter. She only took a break from work when her daughter Nandana was born. When the opportunity to act again arose, it was Raghu who encouraged her to return to her passion for acting.The man is not only my artistic collaborator but also a dear companion. To balance our parenting responsibilities, we coordinate our schedules to ensure that one of us is always present for Nandana. Additionally, our support system includes both our mothers, who play a crucial role in helping us raise our daughter, allowing us to find peace amidst the challenges of parenthood.