Currently filming her first Hindi movie, which is based on the life of freedom fighter Neera Arya, actor-turned-director Roopa Iyer emerges as a resilient figure who has faced challenges head-on. Delving into the story of Neera required extensive research, and the journey of casting and collaborating with a predominantly male team that sometimes took directions from a female director lightly, has been a learning curve for Roopa. Her experience navigating the complexities, particularly related to gender dynamics, has been enlightening.

In a recent conversation, Roopa expressed that Neera’s tale is one of inspiration and deserves to be shared. Neera was associated with the Jhansi regiment in the Indian National Army, founded by Subhas Chandra Bose. Bose referred to the women in the regiment as "Rani," believing in their immense strength and bravery. These women, who sacrificed personal and societal obligations, were integral to the army, with Neera standing out for her act of sacrificing her husband to protect Bose. The story, while fictionalized, captures the essence of Neera's unwavering loyalty.

Roopa faced challenges in casting for the film, encountering unresponsiveness from many actors due to her background in southern cinema. With the help of a senior journalist in Mumbai, she managed to connect with suitable talents. Securing the role of Neera's husband proved to be particularly arduous amid the casting process.He is portraying a villain in the film, and I am pleased to have Priyanshu Chatterjee in this role. After auditioning many actors, we chose Shreyas Talpade for the role of Netaji as he resembles him. Suresh Oberoi plays Neera's father in the movie.

The decision to make the film in Hindi was driven by its patriotic and national relevance. It tells the inspiring story of a woman who overcame challenges to share her tale, a story that deserves to be heard by all. While I am proficient in Hindi grammar due to my studies, occasional hesitations arise when speaking as the language is not used frequently.

It is disheartening to see the lack of professionalism among individuals working in various departments of the Kannada film industry. Despite the success of Kannada films at the national level, there is a deficiency in professionalism at the grassroots level. Many artists and technicians are untrained and inefficient, resulting in unnecessary delays and increased production costs. It is imperative that the film chamber and department heads prioritize training and ensure that individuals are qualified for their roles. Proper training is essential before sending individuals to work, akin to the preparation required for a police officer before field duty. Unrealized potential for growth and efficiency in filmmaking is hindered by the prevailing practices within the industry.I am frustrated by the lack of growth in the industry due to workers' apathetic approach to their work. I aim to provide support to employees and industry members, but it is disheartening when they do not appreciate it.