Exclusive-Samantha Ruth Prabhu opens up on turning producer with Subham; praises Gautham Menon for promoting her 

Samantha Ruth Prabhu exclusive interview

Actress Samantha is someone who does not need an introduction. She rose to fame with her performance, beauty, being a fashion diva and also for her charity work.

After being separated from husband Naga Chaitanya, the actress even announced that she is suffering from Myositis. She took a break from acting and has focused on nothing but her health. She has now donned the hat of a producer. Her first production, Subham, which under her new banner Tralala Moving Pictures, is poised for an international release on May 9. Praveen Kandregula helmed the film with music composed by Clinton Cerejo and background score by Vivek Sagar.

Prior to the release, Samantha spoke to the press on her transformation from actor to producer and the emotional journey she was on.

“I Know What a Friday Feels Like — But This One Is Different”

As she seeks to play all the cards right to the end Samantha, known for her powerful performances and screen presence, revealed that she is a first-timer to this side of the fence; working for the tightrope for the first time. “As an actress, I know what a Friday is. This is my first Friday as a producer, however. I’m extremely nervous. I’ve lost nights of sleep,” she admitted. ” Now, “I finally understand what producers really go through. But I trust in Subham — I do.” It has come out really well.”

Much-needed break and the transition

Looking back on how Subham came into being, Samantha said her foray into production began when she got a break from acting. “I didn’t know if I would ever make a film again. I realized then that even if I can’t act, I can still tell stories. And that’s how the idea of producing was born,” she said. She felt that doing so was a step she couldn't avoid after having spent nearly 15 years in the industry.

The team worked on Subham silently and completed the production in eight months. “We got here without any hype, just genuine effort,” she said.

Why the title Subham?

Film title is inspired by Indian daily soaps which generally end with the word "Subham". “This is a tale centring around a TV series. So, the title was an obvious choice,” Samantha said.

The name of her production house, Tralala Moving Pictures, also comes with an anecdote. “It is from a little children’s rhyme, Tralala – Brown Girl in the Rain. I just kept that name,” she grinned.

To promote new talent like Gautham Menon did to her

It was filmmaker Gautham Menon who gave her the big break, this time Samantha wants to return the favour. “He gave me a shot when he could’ve gone with anybody else. Even, as producer, I would like to do the same – give platform to the newcomers,” she said and appreciated the performance of Subham’s lead actresses Shreya, Shravani and Shalini.

Playing a cameo

Samantha was not originally going to act in it, but she did do a cameo. “I didn’t want to ask anyone a favor in my first show, so I did it myself,” she said.

She stressed that the budget was very tight. “Each and every rupee was spent judiciously. “Others will realize that, when they see the film, nothing was wasted,” she said.

Samantha also opened up about production, sharing that it has given her a renewed appreciation for the time, energy and financial risk that goes into making a movie. “One fact going wrong can be expensive. Now, I'm aware of how important every minute on a set is.”

What’s Next?

In addition to promoting Subham, Samantha is also gearing for her next acting venture, Maa Inti Bangaram, which will go on floors in June. She also suggested her future plans of teaming up with director Atlee as well.

Also Read: Samantha Ruth Prabhu reacts to viral clip of her in tears at Vizag event: My eyes are really sensitive...

More about Subham

Describing Subham as a combination of horror, comedy and satire, Samantha said the film’s big idea is to tap into something more universal. “It’s a social commentary, particularly for women who enjoy watching TV serials. “It’s up to the audience whether it has a message.”

Samantha said she was her own worst critic and worked hard in the editing room to try to keep Subham sharp and engaging. “I’m not really the smartest businesswoman, but I listen to my heart. I’m proud of this film and what we’ve been able to accomplish, because I think it’s going to resonate with people.”