Samantha Ruth Prabhu leading by example, becomes first Indian star to...

Top South Indian actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu is making waves not just for her acting but also for her efforts to bring pay equality to the film industry. 

The Shaakuntalam star, who launched her production house Tralala Moving Pictures in December 2023, has taken a bold step in ensuring pay parity for everyone working on her upcoming film, Maa Inti Bangaram.

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Speaking at the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES), filmmaker Nandini Reddy revealed, “Samantha made sure that everyone working on her first production, Bangaram, was paid equally. This is a huge step, and she’s leading by example.” 

Kannada star Ramya and cinematographer Preetha Jayaraman, who were part of the panel discussion, also praised Samantha’s initiative.

Samantha’s Vision for Change

Announcing Tralala Moving Pictures, Samantha stated, “Our production house aims to create content that reflects new-age expression and thought. We want to tell stories that are meaningful, authentic, and universal while fostering a fair and equitable work environment.”

The production house is seen as a significant step in bringing about change in an industry where female actors have historically faced lower salaries than their male counterparts. While stars like Samantha,Nayanthara , and Trisha have proven their commercial worth, the pay gap remains a challenge for many.

The Pay Disparity Debate in Indian Cinema

Pay disparity in Indian cinema has been a long-debated issue, with many arguing that market demand dictates salaries. However, Samantha’s proactive approach highlights the need for change. 

Recently, Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit and Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga also addressed the gender wage gap in the Hindi film industry, calling for men and male actors to acknowledge and address the issue.

Director Nandini Reddy also pointed out the struggles of women in the film industry, stating, “For women, every Friday matters. The success of a film determines their opportunities. What a male director achieves in four years takes a female director eight years to accomplish. Pay disparity is a glaring fact in all this.”

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Samantha’s Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Samantha is enjoying the success of her latest Hindi web series, Citadel: Honey Bunny. She has also commenced filming for Rakht Brahmand, helmed by Tumbbad director Rahi Anil Barve. Additionally, she has stepped into production with Maa Inti Bangaram, focusing on concept-driven Tollywood films that spotlight emerging talent.