"Darshan stood by me like a brother"
Prakash Veer, whose filmography includes Milana, Vamshi, Khushi, Rishi, Gokula, Tarak, and Siddhartha, is now gearing up for the release of The Devil, his most ambitious project yet with Challenging Star Darshan. Ahead of the December 11 release, the director opens up in an exclusive interaction with CE about a subject he has nurtured for seven long years. Joining him is his wife, Thashwini, who has handled production responsibilities under Shri Jaimatha Combines while also contributing as a costume designer. Together, they provide a rare glimpse into a creative partnership built on conviction, trust, and shared vision. While composer Ajaneesh Loknath is on board the film, The Devil introduces fresh faces alongside Darshan. While Rachana Rai makes her Kannada debut, Sharmiela Mandre returns after 18 years, and Huli Karthik, Gilli Nata, Mahesh Manjrekar, Achyuth Kumar, Tulasi, and Shobhraj add to the ensemble. With cinematography by Sudhakar S Raj, and music by Ajaneesh Loknath, the film has art direction by Mohan B Kere.
Excerpts from the conversation
What made you hold on to the film for seven years?
Prakash: It is always the script and the story that work. The conviction was there from the day I wrote the line. When I told it to Darshan, he instantly liked it. The negative shade of the character intrigued him, and he was keen that I direct it. We took our time, other projects happened, drafts evolved, then Covid hit. I lost my father, and we only went shooting in 2024. I didn't even realise the script was kept for seven years. It was not just confidence, it was conviction. The film is very new. I had to unlearn certain things, invoke the mass element, and ensure connectivity. Before showing it to the audience, I had to convince myself.
Prakash, it would have been interesting to work with your artistic collaborator and real-life wife Thashwini, right?
Prakash: Before I talk about us as producers, let me say that we are two separate individuals. Thashwini had to take the responsibility, especially given the situation we were in, and I couldn't think of anyone better than my wife to do the role. She takes the job seriously.
Thashwini: Prakash entirely handled the creative side, and I took care of production, administration, and finance. He gave me complete freedom, and I interfered only when he asked for a woman’s perspective or audience insight.
Was the decision to produce The Devil always there?
Prakash: Majority of my films are under my production, and it makes me comfortable. I am answerable only to the script
Thashwini: From the first day of marriage, I was told by my in-laws to understand the production side. Coming from an MBA finance background, I was groomed to be a support system. And the primary lesson I learnt was to never keep payments pending. Darshan anna helped me understand where to save without compromising quality. He essentially saved 20 per cent of the film’s budget. He stood by me like a brother.
Why did you title the film, The Devil?
Prakash: Family questioned me, astrologers weighed in, but I stuck to it simply because the title justifies the story. The Devil is an entertainer, and the story matches it perfectly.
How was it to work with Darshan, and what were your learnings from the team?
Prakash: Darshan is a director and producer's actor. From pin to piano, everything aligned with the vision. There is pressure, but planning, patience, and belief in the project make it work, and it is something I have learnt from my mother, who is my powerhouse. I collaborated with fashion designer Chethan, translated the script into styling, and ensured the aura suited Darshan Anna’s physique and grandeur.
How is it to be the bridge between Darshan and his fans right now?
Being the bridge between fans and Darshan, I had to handle the project with a lot of patience. Darshan was very peaceful on the sets. His wife, Vijayalakshmi, supported him in his absence, helping with the necessary permissions. Everyone understood the commitment. And I'll always remember Darshan’s words to me, ‘The film is good, do not worry. My celebrities will look after it.' I cannot express in words how much the fans have brought in their support.
