Growing up immersed in literature, art, and culture, Kavitha Lankesh found inspiration close at hand when she embarked on directing her first feature film, Deveeri. Discussing her plans with her father, the late Kannada literary figure P Lankesh, he recommended she delve into his novella, Akka. Intrigued by the story, Kavitha took on the task of scripting after noticing a more literary rather than cinematic direction emerging from her father's initial pages. Recalling the exceptional work of art director Shashidhar Adapa, she mentions how his meticulously crafted set, so authentic that it was mistaken for a real slum, went unrecognized for an award. Despite her father's playful skepticism about her filmmaking abilities, Kavitha proceeded with determination, filming Deveeri on a modest budget of ₹32 lakh. Tragically, before the film's release, her father passed away, missing the opportunity to see the final product.Despite receiving financial support from three friends, she still values the two pages her father initially wrote. Kavitha shares, "When I approached Nandita Das for the role, she was considered a top-tier actor. The setting of 'Deveeri' was in a slum, and I was searching for an actor who could truly inhabit the character. Although I considered several actors from the Kannada film industry, Nandita appeared to be the perfect choice for the role. Known for her selective roles in art films, she gracefully accepted the part and portrayed it with elegance." Reflecting on creating her first film brings a sense of innocence. Kavitha Lankesh shares, "It is a pleasure to revisit those memories and see how much progress we have made over the years." Manjunath, who played the role of her younger brother Kyaatha and lived in a home for orphaned children called Bosco House at the time, initially doubted Nandita's ability to portray the role due to her lack of knowledge in Kannada and dubbing. Kavitha fondly recalls her father's response to the film after its completion. She mentions, "Despite joking that I would make a terrible film, my father later praised 'Deveeri' in an article, stating that it would make anyone envious. His approval meant everything to me. Unfortunately, my father passed away before the film was released." Kavitha and Nandita have maintained a close friendship, and Nandita shares a strong bond with Kavitha's daughter, Esha. Recently, Esha visited Nandita, and they enjoyed a wonderful time together. Kavitha took care of her team both on and off the set. She set up a fixed deposit for Manjunath, who was only 12 years old at the time, so that he could purchase his first bike from the money when he turned 18."He purchased his first bike using that money and later took me for a ride. I still keep in touch with him."