This October marks the third anniversary of the sudden passing of popular Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar. Throughout this time, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has shown remarkable strength in the face of her own personal grief. "I have been very busy, and I appreciate it because it keeps me fully engaged," says Ashwini. She has managed the responsibility of raising their two daughters while also carrying forward the projects they had initiated together. "Now, all the responsibilities are on me. Each day presents new challenges, but I must say that I am enjoying my work. It's a positive phase for me," she shares.The films Ashwini has worked on so far were all projects approved by her late husband. However, her experiences over the past two years have given her the confidence to make new decisions. "We are preparing to work on one of our biggest commercial films yet, starring Yuva Rajkumar. I am excited but also nervous, as making the right decisions remains the toughest part," she admits. Reflecting on her journey, Ashwini notes, "Taking the final decision independently is still a challenge for me. While we have had the same team since the beginning, making decisions on my own and taking that final step continues to be difficult."She recalls the instance when she had to decide whether to proceed with the film "Achaar & Co." after her husband's passing. "It was a major decision because it was an all-women team. I was uncertain, but I took a leap of faith, and it turned out brilliantly. Going forward, the choice of projects we undertake will be entirely mine. I am hopeful for the future."The film industry is evolving continuously, presenting new opportunities and challenges. Currently, I am engrossed in developing the script and details for Yuva, a promising talent within our family. I am also scouting for scripts to work on in the upcoming year. I make it a point to review or listen to at least two to three scripts weekly, aiming to produce two to three films annually.

The presence of more women in the film industry brings a sense of comfort on sets, as witnessed during the production of Achaar & Co. While we have seen remarkable women directors over the years, there remains a lack of female technicians. Breaking into this male-dominated field has always been a challenge for women. This struggle is not unique to the Kannada film industry; it is a global issue that needs addressing. Ensuring the safety of women in the workplace should be a priority, alongside creating a secure environment for everyone, be it women, children, or the elderly. As a leader in the industry, I aim to create opportunities and support women in seizing them.

The film industry is constantly evolving, driven by the exposure to global cinema and the influx of talented newcomers eager to offer fresh perspectives. Despite facing challenges such as the limited presence of OTT platforms acquiring Kannada films, recent successes like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have reignited interest in theatrical releases.To some extent, there is a presence of experimental films that are leaving an impact on audiences' minds. I notice a lot of talented newcomers in this industry, and what we need to do is provide them with the right channels and opportunities. The "P" in PRK productions actually stands for Parvathamma, not Puneeth, as commonly misunderstood. However, today, it is also considered a tribute to Puneeth as well.

Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar shared, "I hope to receive recognition for creating quality content-driven films." In the past, I was content being behind the scenes, but nowadays, I take part in more events and functions. I do this because of the goodwill people have towards Appu. Many individuals mention seeing Appu in me, and I believe this is genuine. While this recognition has increased my public presence, it hasn't deterred me from enjoying simple activities like getting coffee or dining at a local eatery. I am grateful for all the love, and I spend time with my nephews and daughters discussing new content, cinema, and critiquing character portrayals, which gives me a fresh perspective. When I hear about a good movie, I watch it at home or catch it in theaters. As a filmmaker, my goal is to create content-driven films and earn recognition for it. Although "Achaar & Co" was well-received, I don't solely take credit for its success. I believe I have a long journey ahead and hope to seize opportunities to produce such films.

"I am proud to acknowledge that my mother-in-law was the most successful female film producer in the world." Parvathamma Rajkumar retired the year Appu and I married, as she wanted her sons to settle down first. Though I haven't closely witnessed her work, from others' accounts and her own, she always spoke passionately about the film industry.She regarded the filmmaking team as a close-knit family. They would spend days and months discussing their projects, from writers and music directors to actors and technicians. She had a habit of reading numerous novels and trusted her intuition to determine if a story would translate well onto the big screen. Back then, they focused solely on creating family-friendly movies. Remarkably, 95 percent of the films she produced became blockbuster hits. I confidently affirm that she was the most successful female producer globally.