Samantha Ruth Prabhu: ‘Male Superstars Are Not Made in a Day,’ Believes More Investment Is Needed For Female Actors

Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s movie “Maa Inti Bangaram” is performing well at the box office. In an exclusive interview with Variety India, the star talks about preferential treatment for male superstars, fighting personal battles, shutting out the noise, and working with her husband, Raj Nidimoru.

Female actors still have to fight for working hours and bigger paychecks, despite success. What needs to be done to address this disparity?  
It’s one step at a time. I’ve always said this: male superstars are not made in a day. Time and effort have gone into building larger-than-life male superstars. With every film, with every director working so hard to build this god-like status. It has taken time. I feel that that effort and time is not given to female stars. If directors and producers put that effort into building an actress into a superstar, it will be possible. We just need that time and investment.  

Your friend Shilpa Reddy has posted on socials about your personal battles and challenges you’ve overcome. From where do you draw the strength?  
I’m not an inherently strong person. I think that the circumstances in life have changed me. I came into this industry as a scared little girl, desperate for approval from every single person around me. My life circumstances and the people around me pushed me to become who I am today. Today I can’t recognize the girl who entered the industry 15 years ago. I am grateful for all the hardships because today I make decisions from a position of strength and purpose. And they’re not quick and easy decisions. I always make decisions that will pay off in the long run, never for a quick incentive.  

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Do you agree social media has become intrusive and toxic?  
I do think that social media, the audience, and the people around you tend to make decisions for you, and your voice gets drowned out. I’ve noticed that with my peers and people around me, it’s difficult to remember who you are and what you want. It’s easy to borrow other people’s ideas, their biases, their opinions and think of them as your own. It’s very important to dissociate from the noise. I take time off to cut off the noise, like I do my silence retreats and meditation. I do enough work on myself to cut off from the noise.

You seem to be a master of multitasking. What’s your secret?
I always like to surround myself with people who are smarter than me. So, every business that I have taken up, I am not the smartest one in the group, for sure. And that’s reflected in the output that you see. I’ve always been enamored and inspired by the founders who have built the brands that I have invested in.
I do know that they are all way more capable than I am, and I need to learn from them. I need to push myself to their level. As a result, I will grow with them and they with me.

Your husband has co-produced this film. How do you chalk out your responsibilities?
It’s actually incredibly easy. I know that most people will not believe that. But it is really easy working with Raj on everything. We can easily discuss the stupidest things. In all of our years of knowing each other, we haven’t argued. It is pretty cool. Especially since we’re neck-deep in each other’s work as well and not just our personal lives. Our relationship is incredibly collaborative. We really believe that we have our best interests at heart. Sometimes it’s so difficult, you know, when you’re in a bubble, you can’t see what’s really happening outside. You can get caught in this bubble, and live in an alternate reality. Especially as stars, sometimes we can be so oblivious to what audiences truly feel. When you become a bigger star, you tend to insulate yourself and surround yourself with ‘yes’ people. And that can be your demise, honestly.

What are your plans regarding your production company?  
I think this success has given us incredible confidence to tell the stories we want to tell. I am working on multiple scripts and all of them have their hearts in the right place. All of them will be original and heartfelt and will encourage new talent.