This October marks the third anniversary of the tragic passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar. During this period, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience despite her own personal grief. "I have been very busy, and I appreciate it because it keeps me fully occupied," says Ashwini. She has successfully managed the responsibilities of raising her two daughters while carrying forward the projects initiated by both herself and Puneeth.

Ashwini acknowledges that she now bears all the responsibilities alone. Each day presents new challenges, but she expresses satisfaction in her work and describes it as a positive phase. Reflecting on her experiences of the past two years, Ashwini shares that she has gained the confidence and enthusiasm to make new decisions. She discloses plans for an upcoming major commercial film featuring Yuva Rajkumar in the lead role, highlighting her excitement and nervousness due to the responsibility of making critical decisions.

Despite having a consistent team since the beginning, Ashwini admits that making independent decisions and having the final say remain challenging. She mentions that all previous film projects were approved by Puneeth, and now the decision-making process lies solely with her. Although initially uncertain, she took a bold step forward with the all-women's team project "Achaar & Co.," which turned out to be successful. Looking ahead, Ashwini emphasizes that future movies will be entirely her decision.The film industry holds many opportunities for growth and evolution. Currently, I am focused on developing scripts and details for Yuva, who is a promising talent in our family. I am also scouting for scripts to work on in the upcoming year, aiming to produce two to three films annually. Encouragingly, I believe that greater female representation in cinema is essential. More women on set create a sense of comfort and inclusivity. While we have seen talented women directors in the industry over the years, female technicians remain scarce. Breaking into this field has historically been challenging for women, not just in Kannada cinema, but across the board. Safety concerns in the workplace, particularly for women, are a global issue that needs to be addressed. As a leader in the industry, I see my role as creating opportunities for all, fostering a supportive environment where women can thrive. Collaboration and mutual support among women in the industry can pave the way for fresh opportunities and inclusive practices. The film industry is constantly evolving, fueled by the diverse perspectives and talents of newcomers. Despite facing challenges, such as limited access to OTT platforms for Kannada films, recent successes like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have renewed interest in theatrical releases.Experimental films are leaving a lasting impression on audiences, and there is a wealth of talented newcomers waiting for the right platforms and opportunities. The "P" in PRK Productions actually stands for Parvathamma, not Puneeth as commonly believed, although it is now also seen as a tribute to Puneeth. Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar hopes to be acknowledged for creating quality, content-driven movies.

Though once content behind the scenes, Ashwini is now more visible in public events due to the admiration people have for Puneeth. Despite this recognition, she still enjoys simple pleasures like going to cafes or eateries without much disturbance. She frequently engages with her nephews and daughters to discuss new content, cinema, and character portrayals, gaining fresh perspectives from them. Ashwini remains humble about her achievements, expressing a desire to be recognized specifically for her content-focused filmmaking.

Reflecting on her mother-in-law Parvathamma Rajkumar's success as a renowned female film producer, Ashwini admires her legacy, having heard stories of her dedication to cinema. Parvathamma chose to retire after Ashwini and Puneeth's marriage, marking the end of her illustrious career.She cherished the close-knit atmosphere, recalling a time when writers, music directors, technicians, actors, and others would gather for days and months to discuss their film projects. With a penchant for reading novels, she trusted her instincts to determine if a story would translate well onto the big screen. During that era, they focused exclusively on family-friendly films, and it's remarkable that 95 percent of the movies she produced turned out to be blockbuster hits. I proudly acknowledge her as the most accomplished female producer globally.