This October marks three years since the unexpected passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar. During this time, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has shown remarkable strength despite her personal grief. "I have been very busy, and I'm grateful for that because it keeps me fully occupied," says Ashwini. She has managed the responsibility of raising their two daughters while carrying out projects that both she and Puneeth had initiated. "Now, all the responsibilities rest on me. Each day presents new challenges, but I must say that I find joy in my work. It's a positive phase for me," she adds. While Ashwini mentions that all the films she has worked on so far had her husband's approval, 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 projects yet, with Yuva Rajkumar in the lead. I am excited but also nervous, as making the right decisions is the toughest part," she explains. Despite having the same team since the beginning, Ashwini finds making decisions independently and taking the final call still challenging. She reflects on the dilemma she faced with the film Achaar & Co., where she ultimately made the decision to proceed with an all-women team. This experience has boosted her confidence in making future decisions regarding their upcoming projects.The following text has been rephrased:
"I find working in films to be quite daunting. Currently, I am focused on developing the script and details for Yuva, who is a promising talent within our family. I am also evaluating scripts for the upcoming year. I make it a point to read or listen to at least two to three scripts each week with the aim of producing two to three films annually.
It is crucial for the film industry to have more female representation. The presence of women on set brings a sense of comfort. This was evident during the making of Achaar & Co., a process that I thoroughly enjoyed. While we have seen some great female directors in the industry over the years, the lack of female technicians is glaring. Breaking into the industry has always been challenging for women. This issue is not unique to the Kannada film industry; it extends to other language film industries as well. I hope to see a shift in this scenario.
The safety of women at the workplace is a global concern, not limited to the film industry. Women face challenges every day, regardless of their chosen profession. Safety and security are universal needs, not only for women but for everyone. As a leader in the industry, I believe in creating opportunities for everyone and supporting women in seeking visibility and growth.
The film industry is evolving and will continue to do so. With access to international cinema and the influx of talented newcomers offering unique storytelling perspectives, there is a plethora of unexplored opportunities. While the current landscape presents challenges, recent films like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have helped drive audiences back to theaters, as the industry navigates the changing dynamics of OTT platforms."Experimental films have been resonating with audiences, showcasing the talent of emerging filmmakers. It's important to provide these newcomers with the right opportunities to thrive. The "P" in PRK Productions actually stands for Parvathamma, not Puneeth as commonly thought, symbolizing a tribute to both. Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar aspires to be known for creating quality, narrative-driven films. Despite being recognized more publicly now, Ashwini still enjoys simple pleasures like grabbing coffee or dining out without much disturbance, grateful for the love and support received.
Ashwini spends time discussing cinema with family, gaining fresh perspectives and insights. As a filmmaker, the focus is on producing content-driven movies and hoping to be acknowledged for doing so. Reflecting on the success of "Achaar & Co," Ashwini remains humble and looks forward to seizing opportunities for future projects.
Ashwini proudly acknowledges their mother-in-law, Parvathamma Rajkumar, as the world's most successful female film producer and credits her for shaping the cinema landscape.She described it as a family atmosphere. She reminisced about when writers, music directors, technicians, actors, and others would gather to brainstorm and work on a film for extended periods. She mentioned how she would immerse herself in novels and rely on instinct to determine if a story would translate well to film. During that era, they focused on making family-friendly movies, and it's remarkable that 95 percent of the films she produced became blockbuster hits. I proudly proclaim her as the most successful female producer in the world.