In October this year, it will have been three years since the unexpected loss of Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar. Throughout this trying time, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has displayed remarkable resilience despite her own personal sorrow. "I have been incredibly busy, and I appreciate that because it keeps me fully engaged," says Ashwini. She has successfully balanced raising her two daughters while overseeing the projects that were initially initiated by both herself and Puneeth. "Now, all the responsibilities rest on me. Each day presents new challenges, but I must confess that I am enjoying my work. This is a positive phase for me." Ashwini shares that all the films she has worked on so far had her late husband's approval. However, her experiences in the past two years have given her the courage and determination to make independent decisions. "We are preparing to commence work on one of our most significant commercial projects to date, starring Yuva Rajkumar. I am thrilled yet nervous, as the most challenging aspect is making the right decisions," she mentions. She elaborates, "Being the sole decision-maker remains a challenge. Despite having the same team from the beginning, making decisions independently and having the final say continues to be daunting. Our projects were always endorsed by Appu. However, when it came to 'Achaar & Co.,' I had to decide whether to proceed or not. It was a significant decision, especially given that it was an all-female team. I was uncertain, but I took the risk, and it turned out magnificently. Moving forward, all choices regarding our upcoming projects will be mine to make. I remain hopeful for what lies ahead."I find it quite daunting. Currently, I am immersed in developing the script and details for Yuva, our family's promising rising talent. I am also scouting for scripts to potentially work on in the upcoming year. I regularly review at least two to three scripts each week, aiming to produce two to three films annually. "We certainly need greater female representation in the film industry." There is a comforting feeling when there are more women on set, as I experienced during Achaar & Co. The process was truly enjoyable. Over the years, we have been fortunate to have some immensely talented women directors. However, the number of female technicians remains inadequate. Breaking into the industry has always been a challenge for women. This barrier is not unique to the Kannada film industry; if it were, we would see more female technicians on sets across other language industries. It is imperative for this situation to evolve, and we must remain hopeful that it will. Regarding women's safety in the workplace, this is a global issue faced by women worldwide, not limited to the film industry. Women face challenges daily, regardless of their chosen profession. Safety is a concern for women, as well as children and the elderly. We must strive for a secure environment for everyone. In my current role as a leader in cinema, I perceive my responsibility as creating opportunities. I believe there is room for everyone and encourage women to support each other in seizing opportunities - to voice their perspectives, be visible, and continue learning and growing. "The film industry has progressed and will keep evolving." With exposure to international cinema and the enthusiasm of talented newcomers offering fresh narratives, there is much more to explore. We are currently facing challenges, with limited support from OTT platforms for Kannada films. Recently, movies like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have played a role in drawing audiences back to traditional cinemas.To some extent, we are also witnessing experimental films making an impact on audiences. I have noticed a plethora of talented newcomers here, and what we must do is provide them with the right channels and opportunities. PRK Productions, although commonly thought to stand for Puneeth Rajkumar, actually bears the initials of Parvathamma. In present times, however, it is also viewed as a tribute to Puneeth. Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar expresses her desire to be acknowledged for producing quality, content-driven films.

Previously, I found satisfaction in working behind the scenes. Nowadays, I am more engaged in various events and functions. This engagement is driven by the genuine affection people have for Appu. Many individuals remark that they see similarities between Appu and myself, which I know to be sincere. While this has increased my public recognition, it has not deterred me from enjoying a casual coffee at a café or darshini. I am grateful for the love people show me, and I cherish spending time with my nephews and daughters discussing new content, cinema, watched shows, characterizations, and reviews. Their perspectives offer me fresh insights. When I hear of a well-received film, I either watch it at home or catch it in theaters. As a filmmaker, my primary goal is to create films, with a focus on content. While "Achaar & Co" was well-received, I do not take full credit for its success. I believe I have a long journey ahead, and I aspire to seize opportunities in crafting such content-driven movies.

I take pride in acknowledging that my mother-in-law was renowned as the most successful female film producer globally. Parvathamma Rajkumar chose to retire the year Appu and I married, having waited for her sons to settle down. Although I have not witnessed her work directly, accounts from Appu, my in-laws, and herself portray her deep passion for cinema.She spoke of working together with writers, music directors, technicians, and actors as a close-knit family. They would spend days and months discussing the film they were collaborating on. She had a habit of reading numerous novels and relied on her instincts to determine if a story had potential for a successful film adaptation. During that time, they focused on creating family-friendly films, and it is remarkable that 95 percent of the films she produced became blockbuster hits. As a female producer, she can be proudly hailed as the most successful one globally.