Kannada film director Indrajit Lankesh, who will be introducing his son Samarjit Lankesh as a lead actor in his upcoming film "Gowri," shares insights into the decision-making process behind casting his son. He discusses the initial lack of plans to collaborate with Samarjit, highlighting his son's background in theater, acting training in New York, and experience as an assistant director in Kannada films. Indrajit emphasizes his history of launching new talent in the industry and explains that after evaluating Samarjit's suitability through auditions and screen tests, he felt that his son was prepared for the role.

Delving into the topic of nepotism, Indrajit reflects on the challenges that come with being a star kid, noting that while there may be an existing fan base due to parental popularity, the real test lies in establishing one's own identity. He acknowledges the inevitable comparisons that arise between star kids and their parents, drawing from his own experiences of being measured against his father, P Lankesh. Indrajit stresses the importance of emerging from parental shadows to carve out an individual path and acknowledges the difficulty in matching up to a renowned figure like his father across various creative domains.Currently, I am not involved in acting and thus do not have a significant fan following for my son to rely on. Throughout my career as a director and journalist, I have faced controversies and backlash for my outspoken statements. Therefore, Samarjit must distance himself from this background and embark on a fresh journey with a clean slate.

Working with Samarjit has been an enlightening experience for me. We have encountered creative differences, mainly due to his detailed approach inherited from his theater and acting education. He focuses on intricate character portrayal, often emphasizing nuances that my team may overlook. His realistic perspective on filmmaking and character development reveals his deep understanding of screenplay and acting, an area in which my lack of theater experience has put me at a disadvantage. Samarjit's dedication to his craft is evident in his quiet demeanor before the camera rolls, only to unleash his skills once filming begins.

As the release date approaches, I find myself more nervous than Samarjit. This film has posed the greatest challenge of my career as a director. While I have launched numerous talents in previous projects, such as Deepika Padukone, this time, I am introducing my son to the audience. Despite the pressure, I am confident that this film represents my finest work yet, as I have poured my heart and soul into it.In the world of film, the spotlight is often on the director and the producer. However, being an actor offers a promising position. If you excel in your craft and consistently demonstrate your talent, you are likely to secure continuous opportunities. This is considered the ideal position to be in.