Samantha Ruth Prabhu on gender pay disparity: ‘I’ve been paid dramatically less... now I want to change that’

Samantha Ruth Prabhu has opened up about the pay disparity she faced in the film industry and how she hopes to change that with her production house, Tralala Moving Pictures. In a recent interview with Foodpharmer, the actor revealed that despite putting in equal effort as her male co-stars, she was often paid significantly less.
Samantha opens up on unequal pay in the film industry
“I have been in many films where, not really sure why, but you’re paid dramatically different salaries for the same number of days and the same kind of role,” she said, highlighting the issue that continues to plague the industry. While she acknowledged the pay gap in big, hero-driven films, she pointed out that even in equally demanding roles, the difference in compensation remained stark.
Now, with her own production house, Samantha is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past. She shared that after spending 15 years in the industry, she wants to focus on building something more equitable. Rather than dwell on her own experiences, she aims to pave a better path for the future. “If I don’t, who will?” she asked, adding that she believes true purpose lies in the things that bother us.
Purpose born from discomfort
"You have to put your weight behind things that bother you. I do believe that you will find your purpose in the things that bother you. That has been my mantra, that my purpose is where the things bother me. And everything that I am building is around things that bothered me," she added.

Her commitment to equal pay has already begun to reflect in her work. Director Nandini Reddy recently revealed during BIFFES that Samantha ensured pay parity on her debut production, tentatively titled Bangaram.

Samantha launched Tralala Moving Pictures in December 2023 with the intention of backing content that aligns with her values—one of them being fairness for everyone involved, both on-screen and behind the scenes.