Currently working on her Hindi debut film about freedom fighter Neera Arya, actor-turned-director Roopa Iyer appears to embody the spirit of someone seasoned in the battlefield. Amidst the challenges of extensive research for Neera's story, dealing with a predominantly male team that may overlook a female director's instructions lightly, Roopa's journey with this project has been one of profound learning and grappling with obstacles due to gender. Reflecting on the significance of Neera's story, Roopa emphasizes the inspiring nature of her journey with excerpts from a conversation:

"The story of Neera must be shared. She was a courageous member of the Jhansi regiment in the Indian National Army under Subhas Chandra Bose's leadership. Each woman in this regiment was referred to as Rani by Netaji, recognizing their inherent strength and bravery. These women, who sacrificed their personal lives to serve the nation, were chosen for their leadership qualities. Neera's character stood out to me, particularly for her sacrifice in killing her husband to protect Netaji. Subsequently incarcerated, she endured brutal treatment, including having her breasts mutilated, as a testament to her loyalty to Netaji. While the narrative is fictionalized, it captures the essence of her unwavering dedication.

On the challenges faced in casting, Roopa shares, "As a filmmaker from the south, assembling the cast proved to be a daunting task. Despite multiple attempts to contact desired actors, many remained unresponsive. Assistance from a senior journalist in Mumbai facilitated connections. Filling the role of Neera's husband posed particular difficulties.As he takes on the role of a villain, I am pleased to have Priyanshu Chatterjee portraying this character. After several auditions for Netaji’s role, we ultimately selected Shreyas Talpade, as we believe he bears a resemblance to Netaji. Suresh Oberoi has been cast as Neera’s father. "I felt compelled to produce this film in Hindi," says the director. "This patriotic film holds national significance, recounting the inspiring journey of a courageous woman who overcame numerous challenges. It is a tale that resonates with everyone and deserves to be heard in Hindi. I am well-versed in Hindi due to my extensive studies, although I occasionally struggle with speaking fluently due to lack of regular practice." Expressing disappointment, the director remarks on the lack of professionalism among various departments in the Kannada film industry despite its success at the national level. Many individuals within the industry, such as makeup artists, costume designers, art directors, and lighting technicians, lack essential training, resulting in wasted time on set and increased production costs. The director urges industry organizations and department heads to ensure that workers are adequately trained for their roles, likening the situation to sending an untrained police officer into the field. The director emphasizes the need for a professional approach to filmmaking to drive down production expenses and promote future industry growth.The progress is being hindered due to the lack of enthusiasm and dedication among the workers. In my role as a director, I am committed to supporting the employees and stakeholders in the film industry. However, it becomes a challenging struggle when they fail to appreciate the opportunities and resources provided to them.