Anu Prabhakar, who recently celebrated her 25th anniversary as an actress, is still processing the fact that she has reached such a significant milestone. Reflecting on her journey, she recalls a conversation with friends that made her realize she had completed 25 years since her debut in "Hrudaya Hrudaya" on September 16. The realization brought back a flood of memories, keeping her awake that night.
Taking a trip down memory lane, Anu discusses the changes she has witnessed over the years, including her early realization that acting was her passion after shooting for "Hrudaya Hrudaya" during her college summer break. She acknowledges the support and love she receives from Kannadigas, who still hold a special place for her in their hearts despite her work in other languages. Anu credits the evolution of Kannada cinema, particularly advancements in technology and visual effects, highlighting how films today benefit from these progressions compared to 25 years ago.In the digital age, there is something I miss - the sense of family and camaraderie on set that was prevalent in the past. Nowadays, people on set seem more distant. Lunch breaks used to be spent together under a tree at the shoot location, with no caravans, and Shivarajkumar himself would serve food to everyone. There was a clear distinction between commercial and parallel cinema back then. Some films were made purely for awards, but now we see realistic films succeeding commercially, which is a positive change. The continued love and recognition I receive for my past work is truly a blessing.
Anu Prabhakar expresses her desire for stronger roles for women in the industry. Looking back at performances by iconic actresses such as Bharathi, Aarthi, Leelavati, and Manjula, she sees the depth of characters they portrayed. Women like Malashree, Sudharani, and Shruti continued this tradition by being the backbone of their films. Anu hopes for a shift towards more substantial female characters, as opposed to roles solely focused on glamour. She appreciates filmmakers who have given her such roles, helping her secure more opportunities. Anu's only conscious decision has been to avoid playing characters much older than her age, to prevent being typecast.
Anu credits her husband Raghu as her strongest support system. The only break she took from work was when their daughter Nandana was born. Raghu, recognizing Anu's passion for acting, encouraged her to return to work when the opportunity arose.The art form has proven to be a cherished part of our relationship. He has been not only a companion but also a trusted ally to me. As parents, we coordinate our schedules to ensure that one of us is always present for Nandana. Additionally, we are fortunate to have the invaluable support of both my mother and Raghu’s mother. They are the pillars that give us peace of mind as we raise our daughter.
