Anu Prabhakar, who recently celebrated her 25th year as an actress, is still adjusting to the realization that she has reached such a significant milestone. Reflecting on her journey, she recalls a conversation with friends that made her acknowledge her 25-year legacy since her debut in Hrudaya Hrudaya on September 16. The memories flooded back, keeping her awake that night. As she delves into the past, she shares insights on the changes she has witnessed over the years. Here are some highlights:
- Early experiences on set ignited her passion for acting and solidified her desire to pursue it as a lifelong career. The filming of Hrudaya Hrudaya during her college summer break, with Parvathamma Rajkumar personally informing her mother about her casting, marked a pivotal moment. The consecutive successes early in her career laid a strong foundation for her growth.
- An enduring aspect that resonates with Anu is the affection and recognition she receives from Kannadigas for her on-screen portrayals. Despite her work in other languages, she remains synonymous with Kannada cinema. The enduring love and moniker "nam mane hudugi" (our hometown girl) from Kannadigas stand out as a significant accomplishment in her career.
- Anu notes the evolution of Kannada cinema, especially in technological advancements. The increased use of computer graphics, exemplified in films like Hagga, showcases the industry's progress. The feasibility of executing complex scenes like a double role today contrasts starkly with the challenges faced in the past, where scenes had to be recorded multiple times. The advancement in technology has made filmmaking more efficient and accessible.In the digital age, I miss the sense of camaraderie that existed on sets back in the day. Nowadays, people on set seem more distant. In the past, the set felt like a large family - I remember lunch breaks spent camping under a tree at the shoot location together. Caravans were non-existent, and Shivarajkumar would personally serve food to everyone. There used to be a clear distinction between commercial and art house cinema. Some films were created solely for awards, unlike today where realistic films can be both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, which is a positive change as equal effort is put into all types of films. The love and support I have received from fans is my greatest blessing, and I am grateful for being remembered for my roles.
Anu Prabhakar, in an interview, expressed her desire to see stronger roles being written for women in the industry. She highlighted the powerful characters portrayed by yesteryear actresses and how they were the backbone of their films. Anu hopes for a shift away from roles focused solely on glamour towards more substantial and empowering characters for women. She credits filmmakers for offering her such roles, which in turn has opened up more opportunities for her. Anu also shared that she consciously avoids roles that may typecast her and appreciates the unwavering support of her husband, Raghu, who encouraged her to return to acting after taking a break for the birth of their daughter Nandana.The art form he practices has brought us together not only as friends but also as partners. When it comes to parenting, we coordinate our schedules to make sure one of us is always present for Nandana. Additionally, we rely on the support of both our mothers, who play a crucial role in helping us raise our little girl and keeping us calm and balanced.
