"My perspective on my role in cinema today involves creating opportunities: Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar"
This October marks three years since the untimely passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar and in this time, one person who has stood out strong, despite her own personal grief is his wife Ashwini Pun...
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This October will mark three years since the tragic passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar. During this time, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has shown remarkable strength, despite her own personal sorrow. Ashwini shared, "I have been very busy, which I am grateful for as it keeps me occupied." She has been managing the upbringing of their two daughters while continuing the projects that she and Puneeth had started. Ashwini mentioned that now all responsibilities fall on her shoulders, and each day brings new challenges. Nevertheless, she expressed that she is enjoying her work and considers it a positive phase in her life. Reflecting on her journey, Ashwini stated that all the films she has been involved in so far had Puneeth's approval. However, recent experiences have given her the confidence to make new decisions. She revealed, "We are preparing to work on one of our biggest commercial films to date, with Yuva Rajkumar in the lead role. I am excited yet nervous as making the right decisions remains the toughest part of the process." Ashwini also mentioned that despite having the same team since the beginning, making decisions independently and taking the final call still poses challenges. She shared an example of making a significant decision regarding a project when circumstances changed abruptly. Looking ahead, Ashwini acknowledged that upcoming movies will be solely her responsibility, emphasizing that she is cautiously optimistic about the future.I am currently focusing on developing the script and details for the upcoming project, Yuva, who is a promising talent within our family. I am also exploring scripts for future projects and aim to work on at least two to three films annually. Additionally, I believe that there is a need for more women to be involved in the film industry, both in directorial roles and as technicians. Creating a supportive environment for women in the workplace is crucial, as it is a global issue that impacts all professions. I see my role in the industry as a leader who creates opportunities for both men and women. The film industry is constantly evolving with the influence of world cinema and the emergence of new talents. Despite the challenges faced, such as difficulties in distribution, there is a wealth of new perspectives waiting to be explored.To some extent, we have seen experimental films making an impact on audiences' minds. I have noticed numerous talented newcomers in the industry, and our focus should be on providing them with the right channels and opportunities. The "P" in PRK productions actually refers to Parvathamma, not Puneeth as commonly misunderstood. However, it is also considered a tribute to Puneeth nowadays.

Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar hopes to be acknowledged for creating quality, content-driven films. While she used to prefer working behind the scenes, she now actively participates in various events due to the admiration people have for Appu. She values the genuine recognition she receives and enjoys spending time with her nephews and daughters, engaging in discussions about new cinema and character portrayals.

Ashwini emphasizes her desire to make films that prioritize content, aiming to be recognized for producing such quality-driven projects. She humbly acknowledges her mother-in-law, Parvathamma Rajkumar, as the most successful female film producer globally, and highlights the paramount role her mother-in-law played in the film industry.She treated her work team like they were family. She fondly reminisced about the days when writers, music directors, technicians, and actors would gather for long periods to discuss the film they were collaborating on. She had a habit of reading numerous novels and relied on her intuition to determine if a story could be adapted into a successful film. During that era, they focused solely on creating family-friendly movies, and it's remarkable that 95 percent of the films she worked on became blockbuster hits. She was a pioneering female producer who I confidently assert was the most successful in the world.