30 June,2026 12:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Pic via Instagram
Samantha Ruth Prabhu is celebrating the success of Maa Inti Bangaaram, but the actress believes there's still a long way to go when it comes to creating female superstars in Indian cinema. Speaking to Variety India following the film's success, Samantha said actresses deserve the same time, effort and long-term backing that filmmakers have traditionally invested in their male counterparts.
The actor, who returned to the big screen after a brief hiatus with Maa Inti Bangaaram, reflected on why women-led films continue to face challenges despite proving their commercial potential. The film has emerged as a box-office success and further cemented Samantha's position as one of Telugu cinema's biggest stars.
Speaking to Variety India, Samantha said male superstars are not created overnight and that their careers are built over years with consistent support from filmmakers.
"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," she said.
The actor added that female stars rarely receive the same level of investment. According to Samantha, if directors and producers dedicate equal time and effort to building actresses into leading stars, audiences will embrace them in the same way.
"I feel 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," she added.
Directed by B. V. Nandini Reddy, Maa Inti Bangaaram stars Samantha alongside Gulshan Devaiah and Diganth Manchale. Produced by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Raj Nidimoru and Himank Reddy Duvvuru under the Tralala Moving Pictures banner, the film opened to positive reviews and went on to perform strongly at the box office.
The film reportedly crossed Rs 50 crore at the domestic box office within two weeks and grossed over Rs 80 crore worldwide, making it the highest-grossing women-led Telugu film to date.
Adding to the celebrations, producer Raj Nidimoru recently confirmed that a sequel is already in development.
Announcing the news at the film's success meet in Visakhapatnam, he revealed that the same team would return for the follow-up and promised 'double the fun and double the excitement.'
The success of Maa Inti Bangaaram also comes at a significant personal milestone for Samantha, who is expecting her first child and is expected to take a maternity break after the film's successful theatrical run.
