Growing up in a family rich in literature, art, and culture, Kavitha Lankesh found inspiration close at hand when she directed her first feature film, Deveeri. Discussing her plans with her father, the late Kannada literary figure P Lankesh, led to the idea of adapting his novella, Akka, into a screenplay. Realizing the script was becoming too literary, she made the decision to take over the writing herself. Recalling the exceptional work of art director Shashidhar Adapa, who crafted a remarkably authentic set for the film, Kavitha remembers how the set was so convincing that it was mistaken for a real location, causing it to be overlooked for awards. The film, shot on a budget of just ₹32 lakh, impressed viewers with its realistic portrayal. Despite her father's playful skepticism about her filmmaking abilities before his passing, Kavitha pressed on with determination.Despite receiving financial support from three friends, she still cherishes the two pages initially written by her father. Kavitha fondly recalls, "When I approached Nandita Das for the role in 'Deveeri', she was already known as an elite actor. The film was set in a slum, and I was seeking an actor who could truly embody the character. Despite considering many actors from Kannada cinema, Nandita seemed like the perfect fit. Despite her reputation for selective choices in art films, she graciously accepted the role and performed it with grace."

Reflecting on the innocence of making her first film, Kavitha Lankesh shares, "As time passes, it's delightful to revisit those memories and see how far we've come." One of her most cherished memories is her father's reaction to the completed film. She recalls, "After 'Deveeri' was filmed, I invited him to watch it. Initially joking that I would have made a hopeless film, he later wrote in an article, 'Deveeri is a film that would make anyone envious.' This was the only praise I needed. Unfortunately, my father watched the film but passed away before its release."

Kavitha's bond with the actor who played her younger brother in the film, Manjunath, extended beyond the set. She shares, "We opened a fixed deposit for Manjunath when he was just 12 years old. We wanted to support him without handing out cash, so we saved money for him to receive when he turned 18.""He used that money to purchase his first bike and even took me for a ride. I continue to stay in contact with him."