This October marks three years since the unexpected passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar. During this time, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has shown incredible strength, despite her own personal grief. "I have been very busy, and I appreciate it because it keeps me fully occupied," says Ashwini. She has managed the responsibility of raising her two daughters while continuing the projects that she and Puneeth had started. "Now, all the responsibilities lie with me. Every day presents new challenges, but I must say that I am enjoying my work. It is a positive phase," she adds. Ashwini mentions that all the films she has worked on so far had Puneeth's approval. However, her experiences in the past two years have given her the confidence to make new decisions. "We are preparing to work on one of our biggest commercial films yet, with Yuva Rajkumar in the lead. I am excited but also nervous, as making the right decisions remains the toughest part," she explains. While Ashwini appreciates having the same team since the beginning, she finds making decisions and taking the final call on her own to still be challenging. She reflects on a crucial decision regarding the film "Achaar & Co.," which had to proceed with her decision after Puneeth's passing. The experience turned out to be successful, giving her the courage to trust her judgments moving forward. Ashwini acknowledges that the upcoming projects will be solely her responsibility, signaling a new chapter in her professional journey.The current focus is on developing the script and details for Yuva, a promising talent within our family. I am also scouting scripts for future projects, aiming to review two to three scripts weekly and ideally produce two to three films annually. The industry could benefit from increased female representation, not only in directorial roles but also among technicians. Women face challenges breaking into the industry, a reality not unique to the Kannada film scene. Safety concerns for women in the workplace are universal, highlighting the need for a safe environment for all individuals. As a leader in cinema, I strive to create opportunities and believe in supporting women to thrive and contribute in diverse roles. The film industry is undergoing continuous evolution, driven by global influences and the influx of new talent eager to offer fresh perspectives. While facing challenges in the current landscape, there remains ample room for exploration and growth.Experimental films are having an impact on audiences, with many talented newcomers showcasing their skills. It is important to provide these emerging artists with the right platforms and opportunities. The "P" in PRK productions actually stands for Parvathamma, not Puneeth as commonly mistaken. It now also serves as a tribute to Puneeth. Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar hopes to be acknowledged for producing quality, content-driven films. While in the past he preferred to stay behind the scenes, he now actively participates in various events due to the goodwill associated with his name. Despite increased recognition, he still enjoys simple things like having coffee at a cafe or restaurant without much disturbance. Spending time with family and discussing cinema with his nephews and daughters provides him with a fresh perspective. He aspires to continue creating meaningful films and hopes to be known for his content-driven works. Additionally, he takes pride in his mother-in-law's legacy as a highly successful female film producer. Parvathamma Rajkumar, who was recognized as the most successful female film producer in the world, retired after Ashwini's marriage to her son, Appu. While Ashwini did not witness her work firsthand, he has heard stories from his family and acknowledges her dedication to the film industry.She regarded the film industry as a tight-knit family. She reminisced about a time when writers, music directors, technicians, and actors would gather to brainstorm and work on a film project for extensive periods of days and months. With a penchant for reading novels, she relied on her intuition to determine if a story had potential for adaptation into a film. During that era, they focused on producing family-friendly movies, and remarkably, 95 percent of the films she spearheaded turned out to be blockbuster hits. As a female producer, she stands out as the most accomplished and successful in the world.
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...