This October marks the third anniversary of the passing of Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar. During this time, his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar has shown immense strength despite her personal grief. Juggling her duties as a mother to her two daughters and overseeing the projects they had started together has kept Ashwini busy and occupied. She reflects on the changes in her responsibilities, with all decisions now resting solely on her shoulders. While initially daunting, Ashwini finds joy in her work and feels empowered by her experiences in the past two years. She shares her excitement and nerves about an upcoming major film project, recognizing the challenges of making decisions independently. Despite the familiar team around her, taking the final call remains a significant challenge for Ashwini, symbolizing a new phase where she is the sole decision-maker. The recent success of a project she initiated on her own has boosted her confidence, paving the way for her to lead future projects.sed. It is quite frightening. Currently, I am developing the script and details for Yuva, who is the promising new talent in our family. I am also reviewing scripts for potential projects in the upcoming year. I strive to read or listen to at least two to three scripts weekly and aim to produce a minimum of two to three films annually.

"We definitely require a greater presence of women in the film industry." There is a sense of ease when there is a higher representation of women on the set, as was the case with Achaar & Co. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire process. While we have seen some exceptional female directors over the decades, there remains a scarcity of female technicians. Breaking into such roles has historically been challenging for women. This challenge is not unique to the Kannada film industry; if it were, there would be more female technicians in other film industries as well. It is imperative for the situation to change, and hopefully, it will. Regarding the safety of women in the workplace, this is a global issue that women from various professions face daily. Ensuring the safety of all individuals, including women, children, and the elderly, is crucial. As a leader in the industry, I view my role as creating opportunities and advocating for a supportive environment for all. Collaboration among women is vital in fostering new opportunities and encouraging visibility, expression, and learning.

"The film industry has evolved and will continue to evolve." With the exposure to international cinema and the emergence of talented newcomers eager to offer innovative perspectives on storytelling, there is a vast landscape to explore. In recent times, the industry is facing challenges with OTT platforms not acquiring Kannada films. Nevertheless, films like Bheema and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi have played a role in revitalizing interest in theatrical releases.In our film industry, we have a variety of films that engage audiences, including experimental works that leave a lasting impression. I am impressed by the abundance of talented newcomers and believe it is crucial to provide them with the right platforms and opportunities for success. In the name PRK Productions, the letter "P" represents Parvathamma, not Puneeth as commonly assumed. However, today it is also considered a tribute to Puneeth. My aspiration is to gain recognition for creating meaningful, content-rich films. While I used to prefer working behind the scenes, I now participate in more events due to the affection people have for Appu. Despite some recognition in public, I still enjoy everyday activities like having coffee at a café. Spending time with my nephews and daughters discussing cinema and analyzing characters offers me fresh insights. I strive to become known for producing quality content-driven movies and acknowledge that I have a long journey ahead. I am proud to note that my mother-in-law, Parvathamma Rajkumar, was the world's most successful female film producer. Although she retired when Appu and I married, her dedication to cinema was frequently praised by loved ones and herself.She described their dynamic as being like a family, where writers, music directors, technicians, and actors would come together for days and months to discuss the films they were collaborating on. She had a habit of reading numerous novels and relied on her instincts to gauge whether a story would translate well onto the big screen. During that time, they focused solely on creating family-friendly films, and it's noteworthy that an astonishing 95 percent of the movies she worked on became blockbuster hits. I proudly affirm that she was the most successful female producer globally.