Currently working on her Hindi debut film centered around the story of freedom fighter Neera Arya, Roopa Iyer, a former actor turned director, exudes an aura of resilience akin to someone who has faced challenges head-on. With Neera's narrative requiring extensive research, Roopa's journey in casting and leading a team dominated by men, who often underestimate a female director's authority, has been a profound learning experience filled with overcoming obstacles, particularly those stemming from gender bias. Reflecting on the significance of Neera's tale, Roopa notes that the character's courageous journey deserves to be shared with the world.

Neera, a member of the Jhansi regiment within the Indian National Army under Subhas Chandra Bose's leadership, symbolizes the strength and valor of all women fighters addressed as "Rani" by Bose due to their inherent leadership qualities and bravery. Roopa was drawn to Neera's narrative, where she sacrificially eliminates her husband to protect Bose, leading to imprisonment during which she undergoes brutal physical torture, including the mutilation of her breasts, all in the name of her unwavering love and loyalty towards Bose. While the story is not a strict biography, it incorporates fictional elements to emphasize the power of storytelling in film.

Navigating the challenges of assembling a cast for the film proved to be a grueling task, especially given Roopa's background in the southern film industry. Despite repeated attempts to engage with potential actors, responses were sparse. It was only with the assistance of a senior journalist in Mumbai that some progress was made in securing talent, highlighting the difficulties encountered, particularly in casting the pivotal role of Neera's husband.He is portraying a character with negative traits. I am pleased to have Priyanshu Chatterjee playing this role. We went through many auditions for the role of Netaji, and ultimately chose Shreyas Talpade, who we believe resembles Netaji. Suresh Oberoi plays Neera's father in the film. "I had to make this film in Hindi," as it is a patriotic film with national relevance. It tells the inspiring story of a woman who overcame challenges and survived to share her tale. It is a story everyone should hear, which is why I decided to make it in Hindi. I have a good understanding of Hindi grammar from my studies, but since we don't speak it often, there are moments when one hesitates to find the right words to use.

"It's disheartening to see the lack of professionalism among many individuals working in various departments of the Kannada film industry." Despite the success of Kannada films at the national level, there is a concerning lack of professionalism among individuals working in different areas of the industry. Many artists and technicians, whether in make-up, costumes, art, lighting, etc., lack proper training and end up learning on the job, leading to wastage of time on sets and increased production costs. The film chamber and the heads of these departments need to ensure that personnel sent to sets are adequately trained for their roles. Just as a police officer needs training before being deployed in the field, individuals in the film industry require thorough training. It is common for inexperienced individuals to be sent to work simply because of familial connections, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. In an era where filmmaking costs should ideally decrease due to technological advancements, such practices hinder the industry's progress and growth.Progress is hindered when individuals display an apathetic approach to their work. In my role as a director, I aim to provide support to the workforce and participants in our film sector. However, it can be challenging to overcome the frustration that arises when individuals fail to appreciate the opportunities presented to them.