"I was so proud of her.”
Samantha Ruth Prabhu is stepping into new territory with her first production, Bangaram. In her new role as producer, she is gaining praise for addressing pay parity in South Asian cinema.
Known for her acting prowess, Samantha is now embracing a new challenge: producing.
Bangaram marks her debut as a producer, showcasing her commitment to pushing boundaries.
Through her debut production, the South Indian superstar is promoting inclusivity and being a trailblazer in the film industry regarding gender equality and pay parity.
Samantha launched her production house, Tralala Moving Pictures, in December 2023.
Bangaram, directed by Nandini Reddy, is the company’s debut film, and it’s already turning heads.
While the first-look poster generated plenty of buzz, what really caught people’s attention was Samantha’s insistence on fair wages for all cast members, regardless of gender.
The Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) recently hosted a panel discussion on gender equality in the film industry.
Nandini Reddy revealed Samantha’s progressive stance on pay parity during the discussion.
She shared how Samantha made sure there was no difference in pay between her male and female co-stars:
“Samantha is producing our first film, and she told me there is pay parity – she made it a point that male and female actors are paid the same. I was so proud of her.”
Samantha is breaking barriers by ensuring equal pay. This act sets a precedent in an industry often criticised for its gender pay gap.
Even stars like Madhuri Dixit have called out the pay gap in the Hindi film world.
At the same time, in the South, actresses like Nayanthara, Trisha Krishnan, and Ramya have fought to command salaries equal to their male counterparts.
However, it’s still rare to see a production that commits to pay parity from the start.
Kannada actor Ramya and cinematographer Preetha Jayaraman, who also participated in the panel discussion, applauded the move.
Nandini Reddy also highlighted the unequal opportunities for female directors. She stated that women filmmakers face twice the scrutiny of their male counterparts:
“Every release is a make-or-break moment for us.”
“Our value is judged entirely by box office numbers.
“While a male director might need four years to establish himself, a female director often takes twice that time to gain the same level of recognition.”
With her fearless approach and unwavering commitment, Samantha Ruth Prabhu is producing not just films but change.
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