Growing up surrounded by literature, art, and culture, Kavitha Lankesh found inspiration close to home for her directorial debut with the film Deveeri. She discussed her plans with her father, the late Kannada literary icon P Lankesh, who suggested she adapt his novella, Akka. Intrigued by the story, Kavitha took on the task of writing the script after noticing its more literary than cinematic tone. She reminisces about the remarkable work of art director Shashidhar Adapa, who crafted a set so realistic that it was mistaken for a genuine slum. After filming Deveeri on a modest budget of just ₹32 lakh, Kavitha showed the movie to her father, who humorously quipped that he always knew she would make a hopeless film. Unfortunately, he passed away before the film's release.Despite receiving financial support from three friends, she still values the two pages written by her father. "When I approached Nandita Das for the role, she was already known as a top-tier actor. The setting of Deveeri was in a slum, and I was searching for someone who could truly embody the character. Despite considering several actors from Kannada cinema, Nandita appeared to be the perfect fit for the role. Despite her reputation for being selective with art films, she graciously accepted the role and portrayed it with elegance," Kavitha shares. Reflecting on making your first film, there is a certain innocence to it. Over time, it brings joy to revisit those memories and observe how much progress has been made.

Kavitha Lankesh expresses that one of her most cherished memories is her father's response to the completed film. "After filming Deveeri, I invited him to watch it. He jokingly remarked, 'I knew you would make 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 shares. Nandita and I have remained close friends, and she shares a special bond with my daughter, Esha. Recently, Esha visited Nandita, and they enjoyed a wonderful time together.

Kavitha's concern for her team extended beyond the film sets. "We established a fixed deposit for Manjunath, who was just 12 at the time. Rather than giving him cash, we saved money for him to receive when he turned 18. He later purchased his first bike using the fixed deposit we had opened for him.""He used that money to purchase his first bike and then took me for a ride. We have stayed connected since then."