Growing up immersed in literature, art, and culture, Kavitha Lankesh found inspiration close at hand when it came time to direct her first feature film, Deveeri. Discussing her plans with her father, the late Kannada literary figure P Lankesh, he suggested she explore his novella, Akka. Intrigued by the story, Kavitha began writing the script herself, noticing early on that it was taking on a more literary rather than cinematic quality. Recalling the remarkable work of art director Shashidhar Adapa, who crafted a set so realistic that many mistook it for a genuine slum, she shared that the film was shot on a modest budget of ₹32 lakh. Sadly, her father passed away before the film's release, joking beforehand that he knew Kavitha would make a hopeless film anyway. When she approached Nandita for the lead role, who was then considered elite, she completed the script and carried the project to fruition.Despite receiving financial support from three friends, she still treasures the two pages that her father initially wrote. When approaching Nandita Das for the role, she was considered an esteemed actor. Deveeri was set in a slum, and the director was seeking someone who could truly embody the character. Although considering many actors from Kannada cinema, Nandita appeared to be the perfect fit for the role. Despite her reputation for preferring art films, she graciously accepted the role and portrayed it with grace," Kavitha shares.

Reflecting on creating her first film, there is a certain innocence in the process. As time passes, it is a pleasure to revisit those memories and observe how much progress has been made. Manjunath, who portrayed the role of her younger brother Kyaatha, was residing in Bosco House at the time—an orphanage. “When Manjunath met Nandita, he was surprised and skeptical about her ability to play the role because she did not speak Kannada. He was unaware of the dubbing process," she recalls with a smile.

One of Kavitha's most cherished memories is her father's reaction to the film after its completion. "After filming Deveeri, I invited him to watch it. He teasingly said, 'I knew you would make a hopeless film anyway.' My father rarely openly praised, but later he wrote in an article, 'Deveeri is a film that would make anyone envious.' That praise meant everything to me. Although my father watched the film, he passed away before its release," she shares.

Nandita and I have remained close friends, and she has formed a special bond with my daughter, Esha. Recently, Esha visited Nandita, and they had a wonderful time together," Kavitha Lankesh adds.

Kavitha's care for her team extended beyond the film set. "We established a fixed deposit for Manjunath, who was only 12 years old at the time. Instead of giving him cash, we set aside money for him to receive when he turned 18. He later purchased his first bike with the funds from the fixed deposit," she mentions.He purchased his first bike with the money and then took me for a ride. I still keep in contact with him.