Surrounded by literature, art, and culture during her upbringing, Kavitha Lankesh found inspiration close to home for her debut film, Deveeri. When discussing her plans with her father, the late Kannada literary figure P Lankesh, he suggested she consider his novella, Akka, for adaptation. Intrigued by the story's potential, she decided to write the script herself after realizing it was taking on a more literary than cinematic tone. Giving credit to art director Shashidhar Adapa, she praised his exceptional work in creating a realistic set that was mistaken for a genuine slum. Despite the budget constraints of ₹32 lakh, the film's authenticity impressed many, with some even overlooking the set for an award. Unfortunately, Kavitha's father passed away before the film's release, but not before playfully teasing her about her filmmaking abilities.Despite receiving financial support from three friends, she still values the two pages her father initially wrote. “Approaching Nandita Das for the role, an accomplished actor at the time, felt like a significant decision. Given that the setting of Deveeri was in a slum, I was on the lookout for someone who could authentically portray the character. While I considered several actors from the Kannada film industry, Nandita appeared to be the perfect fit for the role. Despite her reputation for being selective with her projects, she graciously accepted the role and delivered a stellar performance,” shares Kavitha. Reflecting on the process of making her first film brings a sense of innocence. Over the years, revisiting those memories and seeing the progress made brings joy. Kavitha Lankesh recalls one of her fondest memories of her father's reaction to the film upon its completion. “After the filming of Deveeri, 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 he later wrote in an article, ‘Deveeri is a film that would make anyone envious’. That was all the acknowledgment I needed. Although he watched the film, he passed away before its release,” she reveals. Nandita and Kavitha have maintained a close friendship over the years, and Nandita shares a special bond with Kavitha's daughter, Esha. Recently, Esha spent quality time with Nandita during a visit. Kavitha's care for her team extended beyond the film sets. “We set up a fixed deposit for Manjunath, who was merely 12 years old at the time. We opted not to give him cash directly, instead setting aside money for him to receive when he turned 18. He later purchased his first bike using that fixed deposit,” she discloses."He used the money to purchase his first bike and then took me for a ride. I still keep in contact with him."