Growing up surrounded by literature, art, and culture, Kavitha Lankesh found inspiration close to home for her debut feature film, Deveeri. She discussed her plans with her father, the renowned Kannada author P Lankesh, who suggested she adapt his novella, "Akka." However, realizing the script was becoming more literary than cinematic after two pages, Kavitha decided to write it herself.

Kavitha also praised the exceptional work of art director Shashidhar Adapa, who crafted a remarkably authentic set for the film. The realistic nature of the set, particularly representing a slum, was so convincing that it was mistaken for a genuine location. The movie was shot on a modest budget of just ₹32 lakh.

After completing Deveeri, Kavitha showed it to her father, who humorously remarked, 'I knew you would make a terrible film anyway.' Unfortunately, he passed away before the film's release.

Reflecting on the production, Kavitha shared how she initially approached actress Nandita Das for the lead role when she was considered an elite figure in the industry.Despite receiving financial support from three friends, she still highly values the two pages her father first wrote. "When I approached Nandita Das for the role, she was already a renowned actress. Deveeri was set in a slum, and I was in search of someone who could truly bring the character to life. While I considered numerous actors from Kannada cinema, Nandita appeared to be the perfect choice for the role. Despite her reputation for being selective in her choice of art films, she graciously accepted the role and portrayed it with elegance," shared Kavitha. Reflecting on the past, there is a certain purity in creating your debut film. As time goes by, it is delightful to revisit these memories and observe how much progress has been made.

Manjunath, who portrayed her younger brother Kyaatha, was residing in Bosco House at that time, a home for orphaned children. "When Manjunath met Nandita, he was surprised and skeptical about whether she could handle the role because 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 Deveeri was filmed, I invited him to watch it. He teasingly remarked, 'I know you would have made a terrible film anyway.' My father was not 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 watched the film, he passed away before its release," she reveals. Nandita and I have remained close friends, and she has formed a special connection with my daughter, Esha. Recently, Esha visited Nandita, and they had an enjoyable time together.

Kavitha's concern for her team extended beyond the filming. "We set up a fixed deposit for Manjunath, who was only 12 years old at the time. We did not want to give him cash directly, so we saved money for him that he would receive when he turned 18. He eventually purchased his first motorcycle with the proceeds from the fixed deposit.""He used the money to purchase his first bike and later took me for a ride. We still stay connected."