Telugu filmmaker and writer Nandini Reddy is celebrated for her heartwarming, family-friendly films that also delve deeply into emotional narratives. Having previously worked with the renowned south star Samantha Ruth Prabhu on two successful projects, Nandini is now gearing up for a third collaboration with the “Oh! Baby” actress.
At a recent panel discussion on women in cinema at the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES), Nandini Reddy excitedly confirmed, “Yes, I am working with Samantha in my next film!” This announcement delighted the audience and marks her third project with Samantha, with whom she shares a close friendship, following the successes of Jabardasth and Oh! Baby.
In December 2023, Samantha Ruth Prabhu ventured into film production by launching her production company, Tralala Moving Pictures. On Instagram, the actress expressed her vision, stating, “Tralala Moving Pictures aims to produce content representative of new age expression and thought. It’s a nurturing space that invites and encourages stories reflecting the strength and complexity of our society, offering a platform for filmmakers to tell meaningful, authentic, and universal stories.”
Samantha’s production company is also tackling the ongoing issue of pay disparity. While some argue that market demand influences the pay scale of male and female actors, stars like Samantha, Nayanthara, Trisha, and Ramya are proving that female talent can command significant earnings in the south film industry. However, this has not been an easy journey for female actors.
At BIFFES, Nandini Reddy spoke about the efforts made by Samantha to address pay inequality, revealing that Samantha had ensured pay parity for everyone involved in her first production, Bangaram, under Tralala Moving Pictures. Samantha, who stars in the film, is likely the first Indian actress to implement pay parity for her entire team. This move was lauded by panelists, including Kannada star Ramya and DOP Preetha Jayaraman.
In her discussion, Nandini Reddy also touched upon the challenges faced by women directors, emphasizing that they must work twice as hard as their male counterparts to prove their worth and secure backing for their films. She pointed out that while male directors may still attract producers even when their films fail, female directors face a different reality. “Every Friday matters for women directors, and the success of their films directly impacts their career,” she noted. “A male director may achieve what a female director can only in eight years in just four years. And the pay gap remains a stark issue in this industry.”
