I saw it as this compelling character with real depth and it had a lot of scope to entertain and I feel that's really rare, especially for women in cinema.
I don't want us to keep saying women led cinema or male led cinema.
Cinema is cinema, art is art and well commerce is commerce.
AdvertisementI think that's logical, it's fair.
Beyond its commercial success, Maa Inti Bangaaram seems deeply personal for you, especially with Raj sir being involved as both producer and story writer.
In an exclusive conversation with Pinkvilla, Samantha Ruth Prabhu opened up about the success of her latest film, Maa Inti Bangaaram, which has struck a chord with audiences and emerged as a strong box-office performer. From breaking away from the traditional male-dominated action template to embracing vulnerability about the film’s uncertain journey, Samantha gets candid. She also expresses why this milestone feels especially personal, with Raj Nidimoru backing the project as both producer and story writer.
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Excerpts from the interview:
Q. Maa Inti Bangaaram film breaks away from the conventional commercial action template that has traditionally been dominated by male protagonists. What drew you to a story like this, and how do you view this shift in mainstream cinema?
Samantha: What drew me to the story, I really wasn't looking at it as genre-breaking or trying to make a statement. I saw it as this compelling character with real depth and it had a lot of scope to entertain and I feel that's really rare, especially for women in cinema. Also, I think that the action is not really a spectacle and I think that it's about time that we stop putting women in cinema just for the spectacle, just for the dance or a song or a role, just for the spectacle.
I think that audiences have changed; they're more open to fresher stories and they're no longer asking whether a hero is male or female. They simply want to be entertained; they want to be moved. If a character is written honestly and the story connects, people will embrace it and I believe that's the direction mainstream cinema is heading towards and I'm happy to be a part of that journey.
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Q. At a recent event, you mentioned, “Honestly, I didn’t know if I could sell even one ticket.” That’s a very vulnerable admission. Looking back now, with the overwhelming love the film is receiving, what do you think was driving that doubt?
Samantha: I think that everything comes with a certain amount of uncertainty. No matter how many years you've been in the industry or no matter how much you're loved or how lucky you are or how hard you work, there are really no guarantees. It's not just me, I think this is true for every one of us here. So, when I said I didn't know if I could sell even one ticket, I genuinely meant it. It wasn't false modesty or something. It was genuine respect for the audience. They decide the fate of a film, right? Not us. We put our heart into Mayanti Bangaram, yes. But because it's different from the usual commercial template, there was always that question in my mind, will people accept it? I think that that's a thought every actor carries even if they don't always express it.
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The willingness to take that risk and dive in despite all of your doubts. It shows conviction and faith. And seeing the love the film has received has truly been incredibly humbling.
I think more than the numbers, what has touched us all is the way the audiences have connected with the story and the emotions behind it. People came out of the theatres laughing and clapping and I think that was the biggest win for all of us.
Q. The film has not only resonated with audiences but has also crossed the Rs 50 crore mark at the box office. Having taken on a full-fledged commercial role, how do you see the evolution of cinema that no longer relies solely on male-led narratives to drive success?
Samantha: I've said this before and I'll say it again. My dream is to see a world where we're truly equal. I don't want us to keep saying women led cinema or male led cinema.
Cinema is cinema, art is art and well commerce is commerce. Man or woman really shouldn't matter. If there is an audience for it and the product that we put out is good it should succeed.
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I think that's logical, it's fair. I know when I said this a decade ago people used to dismiss it and call me a dreamer I think but now I see that dream coming true and the way the audiences are embracing good stories without worrying about who the lead is in it. Look at Loka, I mean watching that shift happen little by little I'm just so thrilled to be a part of this journey and it really makes me believe and have faith that the industry is moving in the right direction.
Q. Beyond its commercial success, Maa Inti Bangaaram seems deeply personal for you, especially with Raj sir being involved as both producer and story writer. Does this success feel different from your previous milestones, and how are you celebrating it?
Samantha: It does feel different. Every film is special, but this one, it's very personal. It is an emotional investment. Raj believed in this story from the beginning. He nurtured it with so much conviction, both as a writer, as a creator, and as a creator of this world, Swarna, Jansi, of her world. When you build something together from the ground up, success, usually, always it belongs to everyone who believed in it, especially during moments of doubt. So as for We're celebrating. I don't think we've had a chance to do anything major yet. We're soaking it all in. Thanking audiences and thanking the entire team. I think gratitude is the biggest celebration. Success is wonderful, but it also comes with this responsibility to keep telling stories that are honest and worth people's time. As a producer, that will always be my priority.
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