Raised in an environment rich with literature, art, and culture, Kavitha Lankesh found her inspiration close to home when taking on her first directing project, Deveeri. Drawing from her discussions with her father, the late Kannada literary figure P Lankesh, she decided to adapt his novella, Akka, into a film script. Recognizing the script's literary tone, Kavitha took on the challenge of writing the screenplay herself. She also highlights the remarkable work of the art director, Shashidhar Adapa, who created a set so realistic that it was mistaken for a genuine slum location. Despite facing budget constraints, the entire film was shot within a budget of just ₹32 lakh. Unfortunately, Kavitha's father passed away before the film was released, but she fondly remembers his lighthearted jests about her filmmaking skills.Despite receiving financial support from three friends, she still values the two pages her father initially wrote. When Nandita Das was approached for the role, she was considered a top-tier actor. The film was set in a slum, and the director was searching for someone who could truly embody the character. Despite considering many actors from Kannada cinema, Nandita appeared to be the perfect fit. Known for her selective choices in art films, she graciously accepted the role and portrayed it with grace,” Kavitha reminisces. Reflecting on the early days of making her first film, there is a certain innocence. As time has passed, it's heartwarming to revisit those memories and observe how much progress has been made. Manjunath, who portrayed her younger brother Kyaatha, was residing in Bosco House - a home for orphaned children back then. “When Manjunath met Nandita, he was surprised and skeptical about her ability to handle the role because she didn’t speak Kannada. He had no idea about dubbing,” Kavitha recalls with a smile. One of Kavitha’s most cherished memories is her father's response to the completed film. “After filming Deveeri, I invited him to watch it. He jokingly said, ‘I knew you would have made a terrible film anyway'. My father wasn’t one to openly praise, but later, he wrote in an article, ‘Deveeri is a film that would make anyone envious’. That was all the praise I needed. Although my father viewed the film, he passed away before its release,” she shares. Nandita and Kavitha still maintain a close friendship, and Nandita shares a special bond with Kavitha's daughter, Esha. Recently, Esha visited Nandita, and they had a wonderful time together. Kavitha's care for her team extended beyond the film set. “We established a fixed deposit for Manjunath when he was just 12 years old. We opted not to give him cash directly, but instead set aside funds for him to receive when he turned 18. He later..."He used that money to purchase his first bike and then took me for a ride. We still keep in contact."