Surrounded by a childhood filled with literature, art, and culture, Kavitha Lankesh found inspiration close to home when directing her debut feature, Deveeri. Discussing her plans with her late father, the Kannada literary figure P Lankesh, he suggested exploring his novella, Akka. Intrigued by the story, Kavitha took over the scriptwriting after noticing it was taking on a more literary rather than cinematic tone. Recalling the exceptional work of art director Shashidhar Adapa, who crafted a remarkably authentic set that was mistaken for a real slum, Kavitha shared that the film was shot on a modest budget of ₹32 lakh. After completing Deveeri, she showed it to her father, who humorously remarked that she would have made a hopeless film regardless. Unfortunately, he passed away before its release.Despite receiving financial support from three friends, she still cherishes the initial two pages that her father wrote. Kavitha Lankesh reflects on the casting of Nandita Das for the role in her debut film, "Deveeri." Although initially seen as an established actor, Nandita's portrayal of the character in a slum setting was highly praised. Kavitha fondly remembers the innocence of creating her first film and values the progress made over the years. The actor Manjunath, who played the role of Kyaatha, expressed doubt about Nandita's portrayal due to her lack of Kannada proficiency, a concern that faded as the film took shape. Kavitha shares a touching memory of her father's reaction to "Deveeri," where his understated praise meant the world to her. Despite his passing before the film's release, his words remained a significant source of validation. Close friends with Nandita, Kavitha notes their enduring bond and special connection with her daughter Esha. Taking care of her team beyond the film set, Kavitha ensured a secure future for Manjunath by setting up a fixed deposit from which he purchased his first bike years later."He used that money to purchase his first bicycle and then took me for a ride. I continue to stay in contact with him."
