Newcomer Monisha Vijaykumar fondly remembers being on the sets of one of her father's (Kannada actor Vijay Kumar) movies as a child. She boldly declared to those around her that one day she would come back as an actor. "Initially, my father was strongly against it. It's fate that I will soon appear in a film directed by my dad, who had once opposed this career choice," she recalls. Having recently graduated from the New York Film Academy, Monisha explains how the program surpassed her expectations. "Originally, I just wanted to study acting. However, I also received training in editing and direction, which provided me with a greater understanding of filmmaking. Following the completion of the program, my sole objective was to secure a role in a film and step onto a set," she elaborates. In her debut film, City Lights, Monisha portrays a naive young girl with ambitious aspirations. She mentions that people often inquire why she didn't opt for a glamorous role for her first movie. Monisha emphasizes that glamour can wait, as her primary focus is to establish herself as a talented performer. Monisha admits that her return home was not without its obstacles. "I spent many restless nights worrying about how I would break into the industry. My father observed quietly throughout. Eventually, he informed me, 'I want you to star in my upcoming film, City Lights.' I felt a mix of relief and astonishment. Although he had this script in mind for some time, I never envisioned that he would cast me. He wanted me to earn it and experience uncertainty before granting me this opportunity," she recalls.