This October marks three years since the unexpected passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar. Throughout this time, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has shown remarkable strength in the face of 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 their two daughters while carrying forward the projects started by both herself and Puneeth.

"Now, all the responsibilities lie with me. Each day poses new challenges, but I must say that I am finding joy in my work. This is a positive phase for me," she adds. Although Ashwini mentions that all the films she has been involved in so far had Puneeth's approval, the past two years have equipped her with the confidence to make new decisions. "We are gearing up for one of our biggest commercial projects yet, with Yuva Rajkumar in the lead. I am both excited and nervous, as making the right decisions is the toughest part," she shares.

While reflecting on her journey, Ashwini acknowledges that despite having the same team since the beginning, making decisions independently and taking the final call remains a challenge. She recalls the uncertainty surrounding the film "Achaar & Co." and the decision she had to make to proceed with an all-women's team. The outcome was successful, boosting her confidence in her decision-making abilities.

Looking ahead, Ashwini highlights that she will be solely responsible for the upcoming projects and releases. She is prepared for this new chapter and is optimistic about the future.The script for Yuva, a promising talent from our family, is currently in progress. I am also reviewing scripts for future projects. I aim to read or listen to two to three scripts weekly and hope to produce two to three films annually. I strongly believe in the need for more female representation in the film industry. Having more women on set brings a sense of comfort, as seen in Achaar & Co. While there have been talented women directors in the industry over the years, there is a lack of female technicians. Breaking into the industry has historically been challenging for women, not just in Kannada but also in other film industries. This needs to change. Safety for women in the workplace is a global issue, and creating a safe environment for everyone is crucial. As a leader in the industry, I see my role as creating opportunities for all. The film industry is evolving with exposure to international cinema and the emergence of new talents with fresh perspectives. Although facing challenges like OTT platforms not acquiring Kannada films, recent movies like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have drawn audiences back to theaters.Experimental films are having an impact on audiences to some extent. I have noticed a lot of talented newcomers in the industry, and it is important to provide them with the right platforms and opportunities. The 'P' in PRK Productions actually stands for Parvathamma, not Puneeth as commonly thought. Nowadays, it is also considered a tribute to Puneeth.

Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar expresses a desire to be recognized for creating quality, content-driven films. While she used to prefer working behind the scenes, she now actively participates in events due to the respect and affection people have for her husband, Appu. She values spending time with her family, engaging in discussions about new content and cinema.

Ashwini admires her mother-in-law, Parvathamma Rajkumar, who was a highly successful female film producer. Parvathamma chose to retire after her sons settled down, and though Ashwini didn't witness her work firsthand, she has heard stories from her husband and in-laws about Parvathamma's passion for cinema.She described the film industry as a close-knit family. She fondly recalled the days when writers, music directors, technicians, and actors would gather to brainstorm and deliberate on movie projects for extended periods. Immersed in reading numerous novels, she relied on her intuition to determine whether a story had potential for a successful film adaptation. In that era, they exclusively produced family-friendly movies, and it is impressive that nearly all the films she produced were major box office hits. She was a female producer who, without a doubt, can be hailed as the most accomplished in the world.