This October marks three years since the tragic 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, which I am grateful for as it keeps me occupied," Ashwini says. She has managed her responsibilities of raising her two daughters while carrying forward the projects initiated by both her and Puneeth. "Now, all the responsibilities rest on me. Each day presents new challenges, but I am enjoying my work. It is a positive phase for me," she says. While the films she has worked on so far had Puneeth's approval, her recent experiences have given her the confidence to make new decisions. "We are preparing to work on one of our biggest commercial films yet, with Yuva Rajkumar in the lead. I am both excited and nervous, as making the right decisions is crucial," she shares. Ashwini acknowledges that although the team has been the same since the beginning, making decisions independently and taking the final call remains a challenge. The turning point came when she had to decide whether to proceed with the film "Achaar & Co." after Puneeth's passing. Despite uncertainty, the film's success validated her decision-making. Going forward, she is solely responsible for choosing and releasing new projects, a responsibility she approaches with cautious optimism.I am currently focusing on the script and details for Yuva, a talented individual from our family who shows great promise. Additionally, I am exploring scripts for future projects. I strive to read or hear about two to three scripts each week and aim to produce two to three films annually. I firmly believe that the film industry would benefit from increased representation of women, both on and off the set. Though there have been notable women directors in the past, female technicians remain underrepresented. This lack of representation is not unique to the Kannada film industry but is a wider issue that needs to be addressed. I hope for a more inclusive and safer environment for all individuals in the workplace, recognizing the challenges faced by women worldwide. As a leader in the industry, I see my role as creating opportunities for all, and encourage women to support one another in pursuing their goals. The film industry is constantly evolving, with new perspectives and stories being brought to the forefront by passionate newcomers. Despite recent challenges such as limited OTT platform support for Kannada films, notable titles like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have helped to boost interest in theatrical releases.Experimental films have been leaving a lasting impression on audiences, alongside the emergence of talented newcomers who are in need of the right platforms and opportunities. The "P" in PRK Productions is a tribute to both Parvathamma and Puneeth Rajkumar, showcasing their significant contributions to the industry. Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar aspires to be recognized for creating impactful, content-driven films. She values the support and recognition received from the public, attributing it to her association with Puneeth Rajkumar. Despite her growing visibility, she continues to enjoy simple pleasures like going out for coffee and spending time with family discussing cinema and storytelling. Ashwini expresses admiration for her mother-in-law, Parvathamma Rajkumar, acknowledging her as one of the most successful female film producers globally and highlighting her dedication to the film industry.She treated her team like family, reminiscing about the days when writers, music directors, technicians, and actors would gather to discuss the film they were collaborating on for extended periods of time. With a penchant for reading novels and trusting her instincts, she assessed whether a story had cinematic potential. During that era, they focused on producing family-friendly movies, resulting in an impressive 95 percent success rate with blockbuster hits. She was a female producer who I confidently assert was one of the most successful in the world.
This October marks three years since the untimely passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar and in this time, one person who has stood out strong, despite her own personal grief is his wife Ashwini Pun...