Shriya Kontham on her Telugu debut with Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Subham, "Samantha ma'am ensured pay parity on set, male and female actors are paid equally"

Young actress Shriya Kontham makes her Telugu film debut with Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s maiden production Subham, which releases in theatres today. She shared her experience of working in the horror comedy and having Samantha as a producer in an interview with us.

First reaction when you were offered Subham?  My first reaction when I was offered the lead in Subham was pure excitement. I’ve always wanted to work with Praveen sir ever since I watched Cinema Bandi during the COVID lockdown. I vividly remember watching it with my dad, and both of us were in awe of the director’s brilliance and the film’s depth. It was in that moment that I knew I wanted to work with Praveen Kandregula sir one day. So, when I saw the casting call for Subham with his name attached, I just knew this was a project I had to be a part of. I believe I manifested that role because I wanted it so badly.

Was Samantha on the sets to help you? When I found out that Samantha ma’am was also involved, it felt like a dream team. But it wasn’t just about Praveen sir; it was also about the incredible collaboration between Praveen sir and (writer) Vasant Maringanti sir—two brilliant minds which I’d already seen shine in Cinema Bandi. Honestly, even before I knew the script, the team behind Subham had me excited. It was just the kind of project I knew I had to be part of.

Comedy horror is not easy to pull off, but the teaser indicates you have succeeded. How tough was the challenge?  One thing Praveen sir told me when I was first selected for the role really stuck with me—he said, “Shriya, treat this project as a grad film, not as cinema cinema.” That advice gave me the freedom to approach this role with a fresh perspective. Before shooting, we did workshops for about a month. Harshit and I rehearsed every scene together, so by the time we actually started shooting, we already knew our lines and had built a strong chemistry. That level of preparation made a huge difference, especially with the horror aspect. Praveen sir, the team, and I all exchanged ideas about how the horror should feel. We spent a lot of time discussing, critiquing, and experimenting with different takes. And the whole team was so invested, and everyone was excellent at giving constructive feedback.

Tell me about your background. Was your chosen profession always cinema?  Honestly, until my 12th grade, I never considered cinema as a profession. My focus was on going to the US for my undergrad. But just before leaving, during the summer of my 12th grade, Nani’s Gang Leader happened. It was my first audition, my first film, and a turning point in my journey. That’s when I realized it wasn’t just acting that fascinated me—it was the entire world of filmmaking.

Being a Telugu native and growing up watching Telugu films, the industry always felt like home. Once I discovered my passion for cinema, I knew Telugu cinema was where I wanted to be. After completing my education at Boston University, I returned to India in 2023. Alongside acting, I’ve always had a keen interest in business, which led me to intern at ETV Win as a creative producer for eight months. Right now, I’m in a phase of exploration—diving into acting, production, and different aspects of the industry, learning as much as I can.

Subham is also a first for your producer. What was she like as a first time producer?  Honestly, I shouldn’t be saying this, but I grew up watching Samantha ma’am’s films. From her debut to her latest, I’ve watched every one of them. She has impeccable script judgment, so when I found out she was producing Subham, I knew instantly that it was going to be something special. One thing I truly admire about her is how she ensures pay parity on set—male and female actors are paid equally. That speaks volumes about her not just as a producer, but as a person. For someone like me, that’s truly inspiring.

Even though this was her first time as a producer, it never felt like it. She handled everything with so much clarity and confidence. Her team was also fantastic—our line producer and executive producer ensured everything ran smoothly and that the entire crew was well taken care of. So, while Subham was her first project as a producer, she and her team made sure it was a seamless experience. I’m just grateful to have been part of it.

Who are your favourite actors and role models in the film industry?  When it comes to my favourite actors and role models, Mahesh Babu sir has always been at the top of my list. He’s been my favourite since childhood, and while many others have been added to the list over the years, he remains my number one. As for role models, Samantha ma’am is hands down one of my biggest inspirations. The moment I realized I wanted to pursue acting, it was her career I looked at. I’ve always admired her impeccable judgment in choosing scripts. I remember back in 7th or 8th grade, whenever Samantha ma’am’s film was releasing, I knew without a doubt that it was going to be a hit. That’s how much influence she had on me as an audience member. Even at a young age, I truly admired her.

Subham looks like your career’s beginning. Where would you like to go from here?  For me, it’s really about taking my time. I want to find scripts that genuinely excite me and roles that make me proud when I watch my work. Actor satisfaction is crucial to me, so I don’t want to rush the process. When I heard the script for Subham, I immediately felt a spark and knew this was a project I wanted to be a part of. That feeling of excitement and anticipation is what I want to continue chasing. Moving forward, I want to pick roles and stories that give me that same thrill and fulfilment.

Also Read: Subham trailer out: Alpha male is scared in Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s horror-comedy debut production, watch

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