Growing up surrounded by literature, art, and culture, Kavitha Lankesh found inspiration for her first feature film, "Deveeri," close at hand. Her father, the late Kannada literary figure P Lankesh, suggested she adapt his novella, "Akka." However, as the script began to take on a more literary rather than cinematic quality, Kavitha decided to take over writing duties. She reminisces about the realistic set created by art director Shashidhar Adapa, which was so convincing that it was mistaken for a real slum. Despite being filmed on a modest budget of ₹32 lakh, the authenticity of the set went unrecognized, with many assuming it was an actual location. The completion of "Deveeri" was bittersweet for Kavitha, as her father jokingly remarked on her filmmaking skills before passing away before the film's release.Despite receiving financial support from three friends, she cherishes the two pages her father wrote at the outset. "When I approached Nandita Das for the role, she was perceived as a top-tier actor. Deveeri was based in a slum, and I was seeking someone who could authentically portray the character. Although I considered various actors from the Kannada cinema industry, Nandita appeared to be the ideal choice for the role. Despite her reputation for carefully choosing projects in art films, she graciously accepted the role and depicted it with elegance," Kavitha reveals. Reflecting on the past, there is a certain innocence in creating your first film. As time goes by, it is delightful to revisit those memories and witness how much progress has been made. Manjunath, who portrayed her younger brother Kyaatha, was residing in Bosco House – a shelter for orphaned children at that time. "When Manjunath met Nandita, he was surprised and skeptical of her ability to execute the role since she did not speak Kannada. He had no idea about dubbing," she recalls. One of Kavitha's most cherished memories is her father’s response to the completed film. "After the filming of Deveeri, I invited him to watch it. He joked, saying, 'I knew you would have made a terrible film anyway.' My father was not one to openly praise, but later on, he wrote in an article, 'Deveeri is a film that would make anyone envious.' That was all the commendation I needed. Although my father saw the film, he passed away before its release," she shares. Nandita and Kavitha have maintained a close friendship, and Nandita shares a special bond with Kavitha's daughter, Esha. Recently, Esha paid a visit to Nandita, and they spent quality time together. Kavitha's care for her team extended beyond the film sets. "We established a fixed deposit for Manjunath, who was just 12 years old at the time. Instead of giving him cash, we set aside money that he would receive when he turned 18. He later purchased his first motorcycle using the funds."He purchased his first bike using that money and went on a ride with me. We are still connected.