Anu Prabhakar, who recently celebrated her 25th anniversary as an actress, reflects on the milestone. She recalls the moment the realization sank in during a conversation with friends about the years gone by. Recalling her debut in "Hrudaya Hrudaya" on September 16, Anu shares that the significance of the occasion took time to fully register. Memories flooded back, keeping her awake that night. She reminisces about her early days on set and the determination she felt to pursue acting as a lifelong passion. Anu also acknowledges the enduring support and affection she continues to receive from Kannadigas, who fondly refer to her as "nam mane hudugi." She credits their unwavering appreciation as one of her greatest achievements. Reflecting on the evolution of Kannada cinema, Anu notes the advancements in technology that have revolutionized filmmaking. She cites the use of computer graphics in recent films like "Hagga" as a significant development that showcases the industry's progress over the years.In the digital age, one thing I miss is the camaraderie on the sets from the past. Nowadays, I find that people on the set are more distant. The set used to feel like a large family, with lunch breaks spent together under a tree at the shoot location. There were no caravans, and Shivarajkumar himself would serve food to everyone. There was also a clear distinction between commercial and art house cinema. Some films were specifically made for awards. Today, realistic films can also do well commercially, which is a positive change as effort is put into all types of films. I am grateful for the love I have received and continue to receive for the roles I have portrayed.

Anu Prabhakar: 'I wish to see more empowering roles for women'

Looking at the performances of past stars like Bharathi, Aarthi, Leelavati, or Manjula, one can see the depth of characters they had to portray in their films. Later, actors like Malashree, Sudharani, and Shruti continued to shine on screen with their impactful roles. They were the pillars of their films. Over time, female roles seemed to prioritize glamour over substance. I hope for a shift towards more substantial and empowering characters for women. I have been fortunate to receive opportunities from filmmakers who envisioned me in such roles. I have consciously chosen not to play characters much older than me to avoid being typecast in those roles.

'My husband Raghu is my rock'

The only break I took from work was when my daughter Nandana was born. When the next acting opportunity presented itself, my husband Raghu supported me in returning to work, understanding my passion for acting.The individual is skilled in the art form and has been both a companion and collaborator to me. To ensure one of us is always present for Nandana, we coordinate our schedules as parents. Our mothers, my mother and Raghu's mother, serve as our support system, providing us with peace of mind as we raise our daughter.