From reigning box office queen to debuting as a producer, Samantha Ruth Prabhu takes a bold leap with Subham — a satirical horror comedy that blends nostalgia, social commentary, and fresh talent. In an exclusive conversation, she opens up about her transformation, equal pay, why she’ll never discuss her personal life again, and the power of telling stories that matter.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is no stranger to reinvention. One of India’s most recognisable and celebrated female stars, she has lived a life in the spotlight — celebrated for her powerful screen presence, scrutinised for her choices, and admired for her resilience. After a decade and a half of chart-topping performances, personal trials, and critical acclaim, Samantha has taken on a new role: that of a producer. And with her maiden production Subham, a genre-bending satire wrapped in horror-comedy, she has given the industry — and her fans — something refreshingly original.

From Star to Storyteller
“I didn’t expect this level of nervousness,” Samantha admits, speaking of her new avatar. “I thought acting was tough — producing is tougher.” She adds, “I have a whole new level of respect for the crew. The week before the release, it was sleepless nights for everyone — the editor, mixing team, post-production. They didn’t sleep for a week.”

While the audience is used to seeing Samantha taking centre stage, this time she chose to stand behind the scenes. “I always believed that if I produce, my first film shouldn’t be about me. I shouldn’t act.” Yet Subham has a delightful cameo from Samantha — impactful, fun and understated. “I owed it to the team. After all these years, it felt right to give chances the way I was given one by Gautham Menon back in 2010.”

Why Production?
“To tell you the truth,” she says candidly, “from acting I got a lot — applause, fans, love. But I wanted to do more.” A long health break had forced Samantha into reflection. “I didn’t know if I could ever act again. I thought maybe it’s time I listen to that inner voice I’d kept silencing.”

During that period of convalescence, her friends surrounded her, supported her — and planted seeds of what was to come. “It was a long break. I had to recover, stay home. And I realised: It’s been 15 years in this industry. I’ve seen how it works. Let me put that to use.”

Subham: A Mad Entertainer with a Message
Set in the quaint coastal town of Bheemli in the pre-mobile era, Subham draws inspiration from the TV serial frenzy of the early 2000s. “In earlier days, every film ended with a ‘Subham’ title card. That’s where our title came from,” Samantha smiles.

The film cleverly uses the absurdity of never-ending serials as a metaphor — soap operas with 1000+ episodes, convoluted storylines, and characters people obsess over. “It’s not just a simple horror comedy. It’s a social satire — but I don’t say things loudly. You can take the message however you want.”

Written by Vasanth Mariganti (of Cinema Bandi fame) and directed by Praveen Kandregula, Subham features a fresh ensemble: Harshith Reddy, Gavireddy Srinivas, Charan Peri, Shriya Kontham, Shravani Lakshmi, Shalini Kondepudi, and Vamshidhar Goud. Released on May 9 by Tra La La Moving Pictures, Samantha’s own production house co-founded with Himank Duvurru, the film opened to packed houses, collecting ₹1.5 crore on Day 1 and continuing its dream run backed by the word of mouth and the energetic promotions by Samantha and her team.

A New Kind of Gratification
Perhaps the most poignant moment for Samantha came during a team interview. “They were all newcomers. They didn’t know where their next paycheck was coming from. One girl, Gayathri, left the US to chase this dream. One boy left engineering. And here I was — sitting with them, part of their journey. It was emotional. For 15 years I sat with big stars talking about box office. This was different.”

Samantha the Producer
Her foray into production, she admits, is from the heart. “I’ve always followed my heart, never the paycheck. Acting choices, production — same rule applies here.” And yet, she’s pragmatic. “I’m not the smartest businesswoman. But that’s why I have a very able partner who handles the financials.”

In an industry rife with wage disparity, Samantha is clear about her stand on equal pay. “My dream is equal skill, equal experience, equal pay. In Subham, all were newcomers, so it was easier. But I want to do this as much as I can — even if not always possible.”

Feminine Voice, Fearless Vision
“I can’t escape being a woman. I can’t escape being an actor. My choices will reflect that.” Whether it was her fiercely independent turn in Family Man 2, the sultry and bold number in Pushpa, or her silent defiance in real life during personal lows — Samantha has always spoken with authenticity. Her current success as a producer Subham follows the same philosophy.

Even while she states resolutely, “I will never speak about my personal life again.” “That’s something I’ve learned the hard way,” she says.

What’s Next?
Samantha’s next production, Maa Inti Bangaram, goes on floors soon — and this time, she’s acting in it too. “It’s a soulful comedy. Praveen has already given a good film with Subham. This one is next.”

And then, there’s Citadel India, her much-awaited spy series with Varun Dhawan. “It’s never fully closed,” she hints, suggesting there may still be more coming.

If that’s not enough, she now owns a Pickleball team. “It was my partner Hemant’s idea. He’s a sports fanatic; I’m a health freak. I believe people in India need to move more, play more, live healthier. Pickleball is growing — fast. We didn’t expect it. But it’s big now.”

A Life in Many Frames
So how does she juggle it all? “I wake up excited every day. Acting, producing, business — I don’t think I’ll limit myself.”
That, perhaps, is the truest essence of Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Not an actress, not a producer, not a businesswoman — but a woman who is constantly evolving, choosing, and leading by example. And as Subham, her debut film as a producer continues to win hearts, one thing is clear: Samantha’s story is just getting started yet again.