This October marks the third anniversary of the tragic passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar. Throughout this difficult time, Puneeth's wife, Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, has shown remarkable strength and resilience despite her own grief. "I have been very busy, which I am grateful for as it keeps me occupied," says Ashwini. She has managed to balance caring for her two daughters with carrying out the projects that she and Puneeth had started together. "Now, all the responsibilities rest on my shoulders. Each day presents new challenges, but I must admit that I am enjoying my work. It is a positive phase for me," she shares.
Ashwini reveals that all the films she has worked on so far had Puneeth's approval. However, her experiences over the past two years have given her the confidence and determination to make independent decisions. "We are preparing for our latest big commercial project with Yuva Rajkumar in the lead role. I am thrilled yet nervous because the hardest part is making the right decisions," she admits.
Reflecting on her journey, Ashwini acknowledges the ongoing challenge of making final decisions independently. Despite having the same team since the beginning, she finds it difficult to take full responsibility. Moving forward, she is empowered to make decisions with her upcoming projects, starting with "Achaar & Co." being her sole decision. Although uncertain at first, the film's success brought her satisfaction, boosting her belief in her abilities. Now, Ashwini looks ahead to solely dictating the path of their future films and embraces the autonomy and responsibility it entails.The script and details for my next project, Yuva, are currently in progress. Yuva is a promising talent from our family, and I am also exploring scripts for the upcoming year. I review or listen to at least two to three scripts every week, with the goal of producing two to three films annually.
It is important to have more women in cinema, as their presence brings a sense of comfort on set. While we have had talented women directors in the industry for decades, there is a lack of female technicians. Breaking into the industry has always been challenging for women, not just in the Kannada film industry but in other language film industries as well. This situation needs to change for a more inclusive environment.
The safety of women in the workplace is a global issue that women face every day, and it is not limited to the film industry. It is crucial to create a safe environment for everyone, including children and the elderly. As a leader in cinema, I see my role as creating opportunities for everyone, and I believe in supporting women to ask for, and be given, opportunities to be heard, seen, and learn.
The film industry is constantly evolving, with exposure to world cinema and the influx of talented newcomers bringing fresh perspectives to storytelling. Despite facing challenges like the lack of OTT platforms buying Kannada films, recent successes like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have helped draw audiences back to the theaters.Experimental films have left a lasting impact on audiences, showcasing the talent of newcomers who require the right platforms and opportunities to thrive. The "P" in PRK productions actually stands for Parvathamma, not Puneeth as commonly misunderstood. Nowadays, it's also seen as a tribute to Puneeth. Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar expressed a desire to be recognized for creating quality, content-driven films.
Initially preferring to work behind the scenes, Ashwini has been more involved in events and functions now, driven by the goodwill towards Puneeth, often being compared to him. Despite a growing recognition in public, he remains humble, enjoying simple outings for coffee or meals. Spending time with family discussing new content and cinema, including analyzing characterizations, has provided Ashwini with fresh perspectives.
Having watched good films at home or in theaters, Ashwini's ambition as a filmmaker is to produce exceptional, content-focused movies. He acknowledges his mother-in-law, Parvathamma Rajkumar, as one of the most successful female film producers globally, who retired upon the marriage of Ashwini and Puneeth. Though he didn't witness her work firsthand, he appreciates the cinematic legacy she left behind, as recounted by Puneeth, his in-laws, and Parvathamma herself.She described the close-knit atmosphere of the team working on films, with writers, music directors, technicians, and actors coming together like family for days or even months. She had a habit of reading numerous novels and relying on her instincts to decide if a story would translate well to film. During that time, they focused on producing family-friendly movies, and it's impressive to see that almost all of the films she produced became blockbuster hits. As a female producer, she stands out as the most successful in the world, a fact I proudly acknowledge.
