This October marks three years since the unexpected passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar. During this time, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has shown remarkable strength despite her personal grief. "I have been very busy, and I appreciate it because it keeps me fully occupied," says Ashwini. She has managed the responsibility of raising her two daughters while carrying forward projects initiated by both her and Puneeth. "Now, all the responsibilities are on me. Each day presents new challenges, but I must say I am enjoying my work. It's a positive phase," she adds. Ashwini shares that 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 confidence to make new decisions. "We are about to embark on one of our biggest commercial projects yet, with Yuva Rajkumar in the lead. I am excited but also nervous as making the right decisions remains challenging," she reveals. Reflecting on this journey, Ashwini acknowledges that making decisions independently is still a challenge. While the team has remained constant since the beginning, the weight of making the final call on her own is daunting. "The movies we released were all approved by Appu. However, when circumstances changed before starting 'Achaar & Co.,' I had to make the call. It was a significant decision, especially with an all-women team. Despite uncertainties, the project turned out successful. Moving forward, the upcoming movies will be based entirely on my decisions," she states.The film industry can be daunting at times. At present, I am engrossed in the preparation and fine-tuning of the script for Yuva, a budding talent in our family. I am also scouting for scripts to delve into next year. I make it a point to review or listen to two to three scripts every week in the hopes of producing two to three films annually. 'We need more female representation in cinema' - the presence of women on set brings a sense of ease. This was evident during Achaar & Co., a project I thoroughly enjoyed. Despite the presence of some remarkable female directors over the years, the lack of female technicians remains a prevalent issue. Breaking into such roles has always been challenging for women. This disparity is not unique to the Kannada film industry; it extends across other film industries as well. Change is imperative, and we must strive for a more inclusive environment. Safety concerns for women at work are a global reality, extending beyond the film industry. Women, children, and the elderly face challenges daily, emphasizing the necessity for a secure environment for all. As a leader in the industry, I see my role as creating avenues for others. There is abundant space for everyone, and women should band together to foster new opportunities – to voice their opinions, to be visible, and to learn. 'The film industry is evolving and will continue to do so' - with exposure to global cinema and the influx of talented newcomers offering fresh perspectives, there is much more to explore. Recent times have posed challenges, especially with the absence of OTT platforms acquiring Kannada films. Nevertheless, movies like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have helped revive interest in theatrical releases.In our industry, we witness experimental films making an impact on the audience. I see a lot of talented newcomers emerging, and it is crucial to provide them with the right platforms and opportunities. The "P" in PRK productions originally stands for Parvathamma, not Puneeth as commonly misunderstood. However, today, it is also considered a tribute to Puneeth. As Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, I aspire to be known for creating quality, content-driven films.

In the past, I preferred working behind the scenes, but now, I actively participate in various events due to the affection people have for Appu. Many acknowledge seeing aspects of Appu in me, and that recognition has brought me a bit more visibility. Despite this, I still enjoy simple outings like having coffee at cafes or local eateries without much disturbance. I appreciate the love and support I receive. I engage with my nephews and daughters, discussing new content, cinema, shows, character development, and reviews, gaining fresh perspectives from them. Whenever I hear about a promising film, I watch it at home or in theaters.

As a filmmaker, my goal is to produce content-driven films and earn recognition for them. While Achaar & Co was well-received, I believe there is much more to achieve, and I am eager to seize opportunities to create meaningful movies. I take pride in mentioning that my mother-in-law was the most successful female film producer globally. Parvathamma Rajkumar retired the year Appu and I got married, taking pride in her sons settling down before stepping back. Although I did not witness her work personally, I have heard from Appu, my in-laws, and herself about her passion for cinema.She described the film industry as a close-knit family, where writers, music directors, technicians, and actors would gather for days and months to collaborate on projects. Known for her knack for recognizing compelling stories, she would immerse herself in novels and trust her instincts on which stories would translate well onto the big screen. During that era, they focused on producing family-friendly films, and impressively, 95 percent of the films she worked on became blockbuster hits. As a woman producer, she can be confidently hailed as the most successful in the world.