This October marks three years since the unfortunate passing of Kannada star, Puneeth Rajkumar. During this period, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has shown remarkable strength despite her personal loss. "I have been very busy, which I am grateful for as it helps keep me occupied," says Ashwini. She has managed to balance raising her two daughters while continuing the projects she and Puneeth had initiated. Ashwini acknowledges that she now bears all the responsibilities alone, facing new challenges each day. However, she expresses that she finds joy in her work and considers this phase to be positive.
Reflecting on her experience over the past two years, Ashwini mentions that she had worked on projects approved by her late husband. Now, she feels empowered to make new decisions. Ashwini reveals that she is preparing for a significant commercial film with Yuva Rajkumar in the lead role. Although excited, she admits to feeling nervous as she faces the challenge of making crucial decisions independently. Despite having a long-standing team, Ashwini finds making final decisions challenging. She shares that she had to decide whether to proceed with the film "Achaar & Co." after her husband's passing, a decision met with uncertainty. However, the project turned out successful, boosting her confidence in her decision-making abilities.
Looking forward, Ashwini mentions that all future film decisions will be entirely hers. She anticipates upcoming projects with a sense of responsibility, hoping for continued success in her ventures.Currently, I am immersed in working on the script and details for Yuva, a promising talent in our family. I am also exploring scripts for upcoming projects. I make it a point to review at least two to three scripts weekly with the aim of creating two to three films every year.
The presence of women in the film industry is paramount. I find comfort in seeing more women on set, as experienced during the production of Achaar & Co. While we have had exceptional women directors over the years, there remains a lack of female technicians. Breaking into the industry has historically been challenging for women, a struggle not unique to Kannada cinema. The discrepancy in gender representation on sets should be addressed, promoting inclusivity and fostering a safe environment for all individuals.
As a leader in the industry, I view my role as creating opportunities and supporting women in pursuing their ambitions. Collaboration and mutual support among women can lead to the creation of new prospects for visibility and growth. The film industry continues to evolve, driven by an increasing exposure to global cinema and the creativity of emerging talents. Despite recent challenges, such as limited support from OTT platforms for Kannada films, notable projects like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have reignited interest in theatrical releases.Experimental films have been making an impact on audiences to some extent. There is a wealth of talented newcomers in the industry, and it is crucial to provide them with the right platforms and opportunities. The "P" in PRK productions actually represents Parvathamma, not Puneeth as commonly misunderstood. Today, however, it is also viewed as a tribute to Puneeth.
Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar aspires to be recognized for creating quality, content-driven films. While previously preferring to work behind the scenes, she now actively participates in various events due to the strong connection people feel with Appu. Despite the recognition, she still enjoys simple pleasures like grabbing coffee at a café or a darshini.
Spending time discussing new content and cinema with her nephews and daughters, sharing perspectives, watching films at home or in theaters, Ashwini's main goal as a filmmaker is to create content-driven films and earn recognition for them, even though she acknowledges she has a long journey ahead. She expresses pride in her mother-in-law, Parvathamma Rajkumar, who was a highly successful female film producer, and appreciates the cinematic legacy she left behind.She felt a strong sense of family among the writers, music directors, technicians, actors, and other members of the film industry as they came together to discuss their projects for days and months. With a habit of reading novels, she relied on her intuition to determine if a story would translate well onto the big screen. During that time, they focused on producing family-friendly films, and it's remarkable that 95 percent of the films she worked on became blockbuster hits. As a female producer, she stands out as one of the most successful in the world.
